# Grand Rapids metropolitan area

The Grand Rapids metropolitan area is a triangular shaped Metro Triplex, in West Michigan, which fans out westward from the primary hub city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to the other two metro hubs of Muskegon and Holland. The metropolitan area had an estimated population of 1,059,113 in 2017. The region, noted in particular for its western edge abutting the Lake Michigan shoreline and its beaches, is a popular tourist and vacation destination during the summer. Noted popular metro area beach towns include Grand Haven, Holland, Muskegon, and Saugatuck.
The metropolitan area is home to many attractions. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is located in the outskirts of Grand Rapids. Michigan's Adventure theme park is just north of Muskegon, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the DeVos Place Convention Center are both in downtown Grand Rapids. The Grand River flows through the metropolitan area and is noted for its fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.

## Definitions

The Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in western Michigan, anchored by the cities of Grand Rapids, Wyoming, and Kentwood. The MSA had a population of 1,150,015 at the 2020 census. It comprises five counties which include the central county of Kent, and the outlying counties of Barry, Ionia, Montcalm, and Ottawa.
The Grand Rapids–Wyoming Combined Statistical Area is the 2nd largest CSA in the U.S. state of Michigan (behind Metro Detroit). The CSA had a population of 1,486,055 at the 2020 census. The primary cultural and financial centers of the region are Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Holland. It includes the five counties in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood MSA plus one metropolitan area, adding the Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI MSA of Muskegon County, and two micropolitan areas of Holland of Allegan County, and Big Rapids of Mecosta County for a total of eight counties.
The Grand Rapids metropolitan area is part of the Great Lakes Megalopolis containing an estimated 54 million people.

## Communities
### Places with more than 50,000 inhabitants

* Georgetown Charter Township
* Grand Rapids (Principal city of MSA and CSA)
* Kentwood (Principal city of MSA and CSA)
* Wyoming (Principal City of MSA and CSA)

### Places with 20,000 to 50,000 inhabitants

* Allendale Charter Township
* Byron Township
* Forest Hills (CDP)
* Gaines Charter Township
* Holland
* Holland Charter Township
* Muskegon (Principal city of CSA)
* Norton Shores
* Plainfield Charter Township
* Walker

### Places with 10,000 to 20,000 inhabitants

* Ada Township
* Algoma Township
* Allendale (CDP)
* Alpine Township
* Big Rapids
* Caledonia Township
* Cannon Township
* Cascade Charter Township
* Comstock Park (CDP)
* Cutlerville (CDP)
* East Grand Rapids
* Egelston Township
* Fruitport Charter Township
* Grand Haven
* Grand Haven Charter Township
* Grand Rapids Charter Township
* Grandville
* Ionia
* Jenison (CDP)
* Muskegon Charter Township
* Park Township
* Northview (CDP)
* Spring Lake Township
* Zeeland Charter Township

### Unincorporated places
## Demographics
### 2010 Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 774,160 people, 290,340 households, and 197,867 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 83.1% White, 8.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.8% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.4% of the population.

### 2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 740,482 people, 272,130 households, and 188,192 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 85.71% White, 7.40% African American, 0.53% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.82% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.02% of the population.
The median income for a household in the MSA was $43,251, and the median income for a family was $49,715. Males had a median income of $37,853 versus $25,483 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $19,173.

### Grand Rapids-Kentwood Metropolitan Statistical Area

| County | Seat | 2021 Estimate | 2020 Census | Change | Area | Density |
| Kent | Grand Rapids | 658,046 | 657,974 | +0.01% | 847 sq mi (2,190 km$^2$) | 777/sq mi (300/km$^2$) |
| Ottawa | Grand Haven | 299,157 | 296,200 | +1.00% | 563 sq mi (1,460 km$^2$) | 531/sq mi (205/km$^2$) |
| Montcalm | Stanton | 67,220 | 66,614 | +0.91% | 705 sq mi (1,830 km$^2$) | 95/sq mi (37/km$^2$) |
| Ionia | Ionia | 67,197 | 66,804 | +0.59% | 571 sq mi (1,480 km$^2$) | 118/sq mi (45/km$^2$) |
| Total | | 1,091,620 | 1,087,592 | +0.37% | 2,686 sq mi (6,960 km$^2$) | 406/sq mi (157/km$^2$) |

## Education

* Aquinas College
* Calvin College
* Cornerstone University
* Davenport University
* Grace Christian University
* Grand Rapids Community College
* Grand Valley State University
* Hope College
* Kuyper College
* Kendall College of Art and Design
* Muskegon Community College
* Thomas M. Cooley Law School
* Western Theological Seminary
The area also has campuses for Baker College, Ferris State University, Western Michigan University, and University of Phoenix, and the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

## Economy
### Companies in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area

* Alticor (formerly Amway), Ada
* American Seating, Grand Rapids
* Baker Books, Grand Rapids
* Bissell, Grand Rapids
* Eerdmans, Grand Rapids
* Family Christian Stores, Grand Rapids
* Farmers Insurance Group, Grand Rapids
* GE Aviation, Cascade
* Gentex, Zeeland
* Gerber Products Company, Fremont
* Goodrich Quality Theaters, Grand Rapids
* Gordon Food Service, Wyoming
* Haworth, Holland
* Herman Miller, Zeeland
* Howard Miller, Zeeland
* Loeks Theatres, Wyoming
* Meijer, Walker
* Mercantile Bank of Michigan, Grand Rapids
* Old Orchard Brands, Sparta
* Perrigo, Allegan
* Plascore Incorporated, Zeeland
* SpartanNash, Byron Township
* Steelcase, Grand Rapids
* Sun Chemical, Muskegon
* Universal Forest Products, Grand Rapids
* Wolverine World Wide, Rockford
* X-Rite, Kentwood
* Zondervan Publishing, Cascade

## Culture and tourism

* Centerpointe Mall
* The Lakes Mall
* Rivertown Crossings Mall
* Tanger Outlet Mall
* Woodland Mall
* Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
* Grand Rapids Public Museum
* Grand Haven Musical Fountain