Big Rapids, Michigan
Big Rapids is a city of 8,477 people in Mecosta County, Michigan, founded in 1855.
Why visit Big Rapids
Townapedia lists 5 museums and landmarks, 22 parks and trails, 22 places to eat, 4 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Bulldog Cinema, AMC CLASSIC Big Rapids 4, Nisbett Building and Fairman Building.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 81°F; February lows average 12°F, and about 61 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Big Rapids
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Big Rapids
Big Rapids is a city and the seat of government of Mecosta County, Michigan, United States. The population was 7,727 at the 2020 census, and was estimated at 8,565 in 2024, The city is surrounded by Big Rapids Charter Township but they are completely separate jurisdictions. Big Rapids is home of the main campus of Ferris State University, a four-year public university.
From the Wikipedia article Big Rapids, Michigan (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do3
Bulldog Cinema
Cinema and theater · 0.6 mi
1100 Maple Street, Big Rapids
Mo-Th 15:30-21:00; Fr 12:30-21:00; Sa 11:00-21:00 open "Doors open...
Museums and landmarks5
Nisbett Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Bank building in Big Rapids, United States of America
Fairman Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
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Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia
Museum · 0.8 mi
History museum in Big Rapids, Michigan
Parks, trails and playgrounds22
White Pine Trail State Park
Park · 1.3 mi
Rail trail and state park in Michigan, United States
10 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes22
Culver's
Fast food · Burger · 1.8 mi
Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.
15295 Waldron Way, Big Rapids
Mo-Su 10:00-22:00
Burger King
Fast food · Burger · 0.7 mi
804 South State Street, Big Rapids
Mo-Th 06:00-19:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-22:00; Su 07:00-19:00
10 more on the map.
History
Big Rapids was settled in 1855 by brothers George and Zera French. As the village of Leonard, at the intersection of Elm and Stewart streets, it became the seat of Mecosta County on February 11, 1859, but local lumbermen knew the site as Big Rapids. On September 29, 1859, the Leonard post office was renamed Big Rapids. Big Rapids was platted on November 3, 1859, surrounding the courthouse site of Leonard. The unincorporated community of Big Rapids was first cited on June 10, 1861, rather than Leonard, when the Mecosta County board of supervisors mentioned their seat of government, and in 1865 was consistently cited throughout the year. Big Rapids was incorporated as a city in 1869.
From the History section of Big Rapids, Michigan on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay4
Quality Inn & Suites
Motel and hotel · 1.6 mi
1705 South State Street, Big Rapids
Churches and places of worship6
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Church · Lutheran · 0.8 mi
726 Fuller Avenue, Big Rapids
Shopping8
Gas and EV charging8
Schools, colleges and libraries17
Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education
Library · 0.8 mi
1010 Campus Drive, Big Rapids
Healthcare2
Map of Big Rapids
97 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°F | 13°F | 2.4 in | 17.8 in |
| Feb | 31°F | 12°F | 2.0 in | 16.0 in |
| Mar | 42°F | 20°F | 2.6 in | 7.7 in |
| Apr | 55°F | 31°F | 4.0 in | 1.5 in |
| May | 68°F | 43°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 77°F | 53°F | 3.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 81°F | 57°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 79°F | 55°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 72°F | 47°F | 3.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 58°F | 36°F | 3.8 in | 0.2 in |
| Nov | 44°F | 28°F | 3.0 in | 3.8 in |
| Dec | 33°F | 19°F | 2.3 in | 14.3 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Big Rapids Wtp Hcn (0 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Mecosta County has had 6 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.
- 2026-06-30: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Flood)
- 2020-03-27: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2005-09-07: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
- 2004-06-30: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2001-01-10: Snow (Snowstorm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Roben-Hood Airport (WBR) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 2 miles away.
- Canadian Lakes 12 mi southeast, about 19 min by car
- Reed City 12 mi north, about 19 min by car
- Evart 17 mi northeast, about 28 min by car
- White Cloud 18 mi southwest, about 28 min by car
- Howard City 21 mi south, about 34 min by car
- Lakeview 21 mi southeast, about 33 min by car
- Baldwin 23 mi northwest, about 37 min by car
- Newaygo 25 mi southwest, about 41 min by car
- Edmore 30 mi southeast, about 48 min by car
- Mount Pleasant 36 mi east, about 58 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Nisbett Building, Seely & Lowrey, Public domain
- Story time at Great Lakes Books in Big Rapids. (31138333680), Senator Stabenow, CC BY 2.0
- Nisbett-Fairman Residences, Doug Coldwell, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fairman Building, Seely & Lowrey, Public domain
- Jim Crow Museum, Jim Crow Museum, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 01 (Carlisle Hall), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ben Shapiro at Ferris State University - Original, Wikidumbo, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 23 (FLITE), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 18 (FLITE), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 19 (FLITE), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 16 (central campus), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 20 (central campus), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 24 (Rankin Center), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 15 (central campus), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 17 (central campus), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 14 (FLITE), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 13 (carillon), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 12 (Vandercook Hall), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- ISS050-E-68203 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- Ferris State University August 2010 11 (Hallisy Hall), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 10 (Timme Center), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 05 (Top Taggart Field), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 06 (Student Recreation Center), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 02 (St. Paul Chapel), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 09 (IRC), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 03 (Muskegon River), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 07 (Business College), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 08 (Taggart Hall), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 26 (Ewigleben Arena), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 25 (Ewigleben Arena), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 27 (Ewigleben Arena), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 28 (Ewigleben Arena), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferris State University August 2010 31 (Ewigleben Arena), Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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