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Do not fill this in! {{Short description|City in Michigan, United States}} {{Redirect|Grand Rapids}} {{Distinguish|Big Rapids, Michigan}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Grand Rapids | settlement_type = [[List of municipalities in Michigan|City]] | image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 300 | image_style = border:none; | perrow = 1/2/2/2 | image1 = Grand Rapids, Michigan skyline May 2022.jpg | image2 = Meyer May House.jpg | image3 = GRFord-Presidential.jpg | image4 = La_Grande_Vitesse_at_night.jpg | image5 = Blue Bridge Grand Rapids, Michigan.jpg | image6 = Van Andel Arena 2021.jpg | image7 = Van Andel Institute.jpg }} | image_caption = Images from top to bottom, left to right: downtown cityscape, [[Meyer May House]], [[Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum]],<br />''[[La Grande Vitesse]]'', pedestrian bridge over the [[Grand River (Michigan)|Grand River]], [[Van Andel Arena]], [[Van Andel Institute]] on the [[Grand Rapids Medical Mile|Medical Mile]] | image_flag = [[File:Flag of City of Grand Rapids, Michigan.svg|120px|border|One of the two versions of the flag of Grand Rapids, used by the city government in an official matter.]]<br />[[File:Flag of Grand Rapids, Michigan.svg|120px|border|One of the two versions of the flag of Grand Rapids, commonly used as a civil flag.]] | flag_size = | image_seal = Seal of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan.svg | seal_size = 85 | image_blank_emblem = Logo of Grand Rapids, Michigan.svg | blank_emblem_type = Logo | blank_emblem_size = 75 | nicknames = GR, River City, Beer City, Furniture City | motto = ''Motu Viget'' ([[Latin]])<br />([[English language|English]]: "Strength in activity") | image_map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=y|frame-width=300|frame-height=300|frame-align=center|stroke-width=2|zoom=11|type=shape-inverse|stroke-color=#808080|fill=#808080|title=Grand Rapids|id=Q184587|fill-opacity=0.4|frame-coordinates={{Coord|42.96336|-85.66809}}}} | map_caption = Interactive map of Grand Rapids | pushpin_map = Michigan#USA | pushpin_relief = yes | pushpin_label = Grand Rapids | coordinates = {{Coord|42|57|40|N|85|39|20|W|region:US-MI_type:city(199,000)|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] | subdivision_name = {{Flagu|United States}} | subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] | subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]] | subdivision_name1 = {{Flag|Michigan}} | subdivision_name2 = [[Kent County, Michigan|Kent]] | established_title = Founded | established_date = 1826 | established_title2 = Incorporated | established_date2 = 1838 (village)<br>1850 (city) | government_type = [[City commission government|City commission]] | leader_title = [[List of mayors of Grand Rapids, Michigan|Mayor]] | leader_name = [[Rosalynn Bliss]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]) | leader_title1 = [[City manager|Manager]] | leader_name1 = Mark Washington | leader_title2 = [[Municipal clerk|Clerk]] | leader_name2 = Joel Hondorp ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]) | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web |title = 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url = https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt |publisher = United States Census Bureau |accessdate = May 21, 2022 |archive-date = May 28, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220528225240/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt |url-status = live }}</ref> | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 118.19 | area_total_sq_mi = 45.63 | area_land_km2 = 115.97 | area_land_sq_mi = 44.78 | area_water_km2 = 2.22 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.86 | area_water_percent = 1.92 | elevation_ft = 640 | population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]] | population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | pop_est_footnotes = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 198893 | population_rank = US: [[List of United States cities by population|115th]]<br />MI: [[List of municipalities in Michigan (by population)|2nd]] | population_density_km2 = 1715.26 | population_density_sq_mi = 4442.49 | population_urban = 605,666 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|70th]]) | population_urban_footnotes = | population_density_urban_km2 = 852.3 | population_density_urban_sq_mi = 2,207.6 | population_metro = 1077370<ref name="USCensusEst2019">{{cite web |url = https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html |title = Population and Housing Unit Estimates |publisher = United States Census Bureau |access-date = May 21, 2020 |archive-date = April 20, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210420062715/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html |url-status = live }}</ref> (US: [[List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas|52nd]]) | population_blank1_title = [[Combined statistical area|CSA]] | population_blank1 = 1412470<ref name="USCensusEst2019"/> (US: [[List of Combined Statistical Areas|42nd]]) | population_demonym = Grand Rapidian | timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]] | utc_offset = −5 | timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] | utc_offset_DST = −4 | postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]s | postal_code = 49501–49508, 49510, 49514–49516, 49518, 49523, 49525, 49534, 49546, 49548, 49555, 49560, 49588, 49594 | area_code = [[Area code 616|616]] | blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] | blank_info = 26-34000 | blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID | blank1_info = 0627105<ref name="USBGN">{{cite web |url = http://geonames.usgs.gov/ |title = U.S. Board on Geographic Names |publisher = [[United States Geological Survey]] |date = October 25, 2001 |access-date = January 31, 2009 |archive-date = December 25, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181225203902/https://geonames.usgs.gov/%20 |url-status = live }}</ref> | website = {{URL|https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Home|GrandRapidsMI.gov}} }} '''Grand Rapids''' is a [[city]] and [[county seat]] of [[Kent County, Michigan|Kent County]] in the U.S. state of [[Michigan]].<ref name="NACo">{{cite web |url = http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm |title = Find a County |publisher = National Association of Counties |access-date = January 31, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080626200900/http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=%2Fcffiles%2Fcounties%2Fusamap.cfm |archive-date = June 26, 2008 }}</ref> At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the city had a population of 198,893,<ref>{{Cite web |title = Grand Rapids city, Michigan |url = https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2634000 |publisher = United States Census Bureau |access-date = April 15, 2022 |archive-date = April 14, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414113440/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2634000 |url-status = live }}</ref> making it the [[List of municipalities in Michigan|second-largest city]] in Michigan, after [[Detroit]]. Grand Rapids is the central city of the [[Grand Rapids metropolitan area]], which has a population of 1,087,592 and a [[combined statistical area]] population of 1,383,918.<ref name="USCensusEst2019"/> Situated along the [[Grand River (Michigan)|Grand River]] approximately {{Convert|25|mi|km}} east of [[Lake Michigan]], it is the economic and cultural hub of [[West Michigan]], as well as one of the fastest-growing cities in the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]].<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2018/10/grand_rapids_is_one_of_america.html |title = Grand Rapids is one of America's fastest-growing cities |work = [[MLive]] |date = October 2, 2018 |language = en |access-date = October 18, 2020 |archive-date = December 5, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201205144440/https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2018/10/grand_rapids_is_one_of_america.html |url-status = live }}</ref> A historic furniture manufacturing center, Grand Rapids is home to five of the world's leading office furniture companies and is nicknamed "Furniture City". Other nicknames include "River City". The city and surrounding communities are economically diverse, based in the [[health care]], [[information technology]], [[Automotive industry|automotive]], [[aviation]], and consumer goods manufacturing industries, among others. Grand Rapids was the [[President Gerald R. Ford Jr. Boyhood Home|childhood home]] of U.S. President [[Gerald Ford]], who is buried with his wife [[Betty Ford|Betty]] on the grounds of the [[Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum]] in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/aboutlib.asp |title = Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum |publisher = Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum |access-date = September 24, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130921103654/http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/aboutlib.asp |archive-date = September 21, 2013 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The city's [[Gerald R. Ford International Airport]] and [[Interstate 196|Gerald R. Ford Freeway]] are named after him. ==History== {{Main|History of Grand Rapids, Michigan}} === Nineteenth century: Native American and European-American settlement === ==== Trading post ==== After the French established territories in Michigan, [[Jesuit]] missionaries and traders traveled down Lake Michigan and its tributaries.<ref name="HISTORYlowell">{{cite web |title = A Brief History of Lowell |url = http://kent.migenweb.net/towns/lowell/1931/history.html |website = Kent County Michigan GenWeb Project |publisher = [[Kent County, Michigan|County of Kent]] |access-date = October 2, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161002190841/http://kent.migenweb.net/towns/lowell/1931/history.html |archive-date = October 2, 2016 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 1806, white trader Joseph La Framboise and his [[Métis]] wife, [[Magdelaine Laframboise|Madeline La Framboise]], traveled by canoe from [[Mackinac Island]] and established the first trading post in [[West Michigan]] in present-day Grand Rapids on the banks of the [[Grand River (Michigan)|Grand River]], near what is now [[Ada Township, Michigan|Ada Township]], the junction of the Grand and [[Thornapple River]]s. They were French-speaking and [[Roman Catholic]]. They likely both spoke [[Odawa]], Magdelaine's maternal ancestral language. In the fall of 1806, Joseph was fatally stabbed by a member of the [[Potawatomi]] tribe named Nequat. Joseph had been with his family and an entourage of voyageurs traveling between Grand River and Grand Rapids. The Potawatomi man had insisted that Joseph trade liquor with him. When Joseph refused, the man left, only to return at dusk when Joseph, who faithfully performed the ritual of [[Angelus]] every day at that time, was in prayer. Nequat stabbed the trader, fatally wounding him, leaving Joseph's wife, Magdelaine, a [[widow]] at age twenty-four.<ref name="Joseph LaFramboise: A factor of tre">{{cite journal |last1=Timmerman |first1=Janet |title=Joseph LaFramboise: A factor of treaties, trade, and culture |date=2009 }}</ref> The next spring, a delegation from the Potawatomi tribe brought the offender, Nequat, before Magdelaine for her sentence upon him for the death of her husband. It was their tradition for the victim's family to avenge deaths within that tribe. Magdelaine refused to sentence him and, in an act of forgiveness, told the Potawatomi tribe members to let him go and that God would be his judge. Though Magdelaine had forgiven Nequat, the tribe had not. Nequat's body was found stabbed with his own knife the next season.<ref name="Joseph LaFramboise: A factor of tre"/> After the murder of her husband in 1806 while en route to Grand Rapids, Magdelaine La Framboise carried on the trade business, expanding fur trading posts to the west and north, creating a good reputation among the [[American Fur Company]]. La Framboise, whose mother was Odawa and father French, later merged her successful operations with the American Fur Company.<ref name="HISTORYlowell"/> ====Native American settlement==== By 1810, [[Chief Noonday]],or Nowaquakezick, an Odawa chief, established the village of Bock-a-tinck (from ''Baawiting'', "at the rapids") on the northwest side of present-day Grand Rapids near Bridge Street with about 500 Odawa, though the population would grow to over 1,000 on occasion.<ref name="HISTORY1881">{{cite book |title = History of Kent County, Michigan |date = December 1881 |publisher = Chas. C. Chapman & Co. |location = Chicago, Illinois |url = http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/micounty/bad0958.0001.001/7?page=root;rgn=full+text;size=100;view=image |access-date = October 2, 2016 |via = University of Michigan Libraries |archive-date = November 26, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161126083755/http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/micounty/bad0958.0001.001/7?page=root;rgn=full+text;size=100;view=image |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="WILD" /> During the [[War of 1812]], Noonday was allied with [[Tecumseh]] during the [[Battle of the Thames]]. Tecumseh was killed in this battle, and Noonday inherited his tomahawk and hat.<ref name="MSU">{{cite web |url = http://michiganhistory.leadr.msu.edu/chief-noonday/ |title = Chief Nawehquageezhik Noonday |publisher = MSU |access-date = July 17, 2019 |archive-date = July 17, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190717200518/http://michiganhistory.leadr.msu.edu/chief-noonday/ |url-status = live }}</ref> A second village existed lower down the river with its center located at the intersection of what is now Watson Street and National Avenue, with Chief Black Skin – known by his native name recorded as Muck-i-ta-oska or Mukatasha (from ''Makadewazhe'' or ''Mkadewzhe'', "Have Black Skin") and was son of Chief Noonday – leading the village.<ref name="WILD" /> ==== European settlement ==== In 1820, General [[Lewis Cass]], who was on his way to negotiate the first [[Treaty of Chicago#1821 Treaty of Chicago|Treaty of Chicago]] with a group of 42 men, commissioned [[Charles Christopher Trowbridge]] to establish missions for Native Americans in the Grand River Valley, in hopes of evangelizing them.<ref name="HISTORY1870">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bad0957.0001.001.umich.edu |title=History and Directory of Kent County, Michigan, Containing a History of Each Township, and the City of Grand Rapids; the Name, Location and Postoffice Address of All Residents Outside of the City: A List of Postoffices in the County; a Schedule of Population; and Other Valuable Statistics |date=November 21, 1870 |publisher=Daily Eagle Steam Printing House |location=Grand Rapids, MI |pages=114–136 <!-- |access-date = September 28, 2016-->}}</ref><ref name=WILD>{{Cite book |last1=Simon-Tibbe |first1=Dorothy |title=Wilderness to Wyoming |last2=Branz |first2=Bill |last3=White |first3=Kelly |publisher=Franklin Press, Inc. |year=2009 |isbn=9780578028583 |edition=1 |location=[[Wyoming, Michigan]] |language=en}}</ref> In 1821, the [[Council of Three Fires]] signed the first [[Treaty of Chicago#1821 Treaty of Chicago|Treaty of Chicago]], ceding to the United States all lands in Michigan Territory south of the Grand River, except for several small reservations, and required a native to prepare land in the area to establish a mission.<ref name="WILD" /><ref name=":5">{{cite web |title=September 26, 1833 – Treaty of Chicago |url=https://www.fcpotawatomi.com/culture-and-history/treaties/september-26-1833-treaty-of-chicago/ |access-date=August 8, 2020 |website=Forest County Potawatomi |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812205919/https://www.fcpotawatomi.com/culture-and-history/treaties/september-26-1833-treaty-of-chicago/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The treaty also included "One hundred thousand dollars to satisfy sundry individuals, in behalf of whom reservations were asked, which the Commissioners refused to grant" of which Joseph La Framboise received 1,000 dollars immediately and 200 dollars a year, for life.<ref name=":5" /> Madeline La Framboise retired the trading post to [[Rix Robinson]] in 1821 and returned to Mackinac.<ref name="HISTORYlowell" /> That year, Grand Rapids was described as being the home of an Odawa village of about 50 to 60 huts on the north side of the river near the 5th Ward, with Kewkishkam being the village chief and Chief Noonday being the chief of the Odawa.<ref name="HISTORY1870" /> The first permanent European-American settler in the Grand Rapids area was [[Isaac McCoy]], a [[Baptist]] minister.<ref name="HISTORY1870" /> In 1823, McCoy, Paget, a Frenchman who brought along a Native American pupil, and a government worker traveled to Grand Rapids from Carey Mission near present-day [[Niles, Michigan]] to arrange a mission they called the "Thomas Mission", though negotiations fell through with the group returning to the Carey Mission for the Potawatomi on the [[St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)|St. Joseph River]].<ref name="HISTORY1870" /><ref name="WILD" /> The government worker stayed into 1824 to establish a blacksmith shop, though the shop was burned down by the Odawa.<ref name="WILD" /> Later in May 1824, Baptist missionary Reverend Leonard Slater traveled with two settlers to Grand Rapids to perform missionary work, though the group began to return to the Carey Mission after only three days due to threats.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/><ref name="WILD" /> While the group was returning, they encountered Chief Noonday who asked for the group to stay and establish a mission, believing that the Odawa adapting to European customs was the only chance for them to stay in the area.<ref name="WILD" /> The winter of 1824 was difficult, with Slater's group having to resupply and return before the spring.<ref name="WILD" /><ref name="HISTORY1870"/> Chief Noonday, deciding to be an example for the Odawa, chose to be baptized by Slater in the Grand River, though some of his followers believed that this was a wrestling match between the two that Slater won.<ref name="WILD" /> Slater then erected the first settler structures in Grand Rapids, a log cabin for himself and a log schoolhouse.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> In 1825, McCoy returned and established a missionary station.<ref>{{cite journal |last = Goss |first = Dwight |title = The Indians of the Grand River Valley |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSLiAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA178 |journal = Michigan Historical Collections |volume = 30 |pages = 178–80 |year = 1906 |via = Google Books }}</ref> He represented the settlers who began arriving from Ohio, New York and New England, the Yankee states of the Northern Tier.[[File:Grand Rapids 1831.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A sketch of Grand Rapids in 1831. The collection of houses across the river on its west side is the Baptist mission. The three buildings in the middle right are Louis Campau's trading post.]] Shortly after, Detroit-born [[Louis Campau]], known as the official founder of Grand Rapids, was convinced by fur trader William Brewster, who was in a rivalry with the American Fur Company, to travel to Grand Rapids and establish trade there.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> In 1826, Campau built his cabin, trading post, and blacksmith shop on the south bank of the Grand River near the rapids, stating the Native Americans in the area were "friendly and peaceable".<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> Campau returned to [[Detroit]], then returned a year later with his wife and $5,000 of trade goods to trade with the Odawa and Ojibwa, with the only currency being fur.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> Campau's younger brother Touissant would often assist him with trade and other tasks at hand.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> [[Lucius Lyon]], a Yankee Protestant who would later become a rival to Campau, was contracted by the federal government to survey the Grand River Valley in the fall of 1830 and in the first quarter of 1831. The federal survey of the [[Northwest Territory]] reached the Grand River, with Lyon using a [[surveyor's compass]] and [[Surveyor's chain|chain]] to set the boundaries for Kent County, named after prominent New York jurist [[James Kent (jurist)|James Kent]].<ref name="HISTORY1870" /><ref name="WILD" /> In 1833, a land office was established in [[White Pigeon, Michigan]], with Campau and fellow settler Luther Lincoln seeking land in the Grand River valley.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> Lincoln purchased land in what is now known as [[Grandville, Michigan|Grandville]], while Campau became perhaps the most important settler when he bought 72 acres (291,000 m<sup>2</sup>) from the federal government for $90 and named his tract Grand Rapids. Over time, it developed as today's main downtown business district.<ref name="Grand Rapids Historical Perspective">{{cite web |url = http://grcity.us/city-clerk/Pages/Grand-Rapids-Historical-Perspective.aspx |title = Grand Rapids Historical Perspective |year = 2008 |publisher = City of Grand Rapids |access-date = August 20, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140606231958/http://grcity.us/city-clerk/Pages/Grand-Rapids-Historical-Perspective.aspx |archive-date = June 6, 2014 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In the spring of 1833, Campau sold to Joel Guild, who traveled from New York, a plot of land for $25.00, with Guild building the first frame structure in Grand Rapids, which is now where [[McKay Tower]] stands.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/><ref name=Mlive1>{{cite news |last1 = Ellison |first1 = Garret |title = McKay Tower in Grand Rapids Quietly Sold to Borisch Family for $10.5 Million |url = http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2012/09/mckay_tower_in_grand_rapids_qu.html |access-date = August 20, 2017 |work = MLive |date = September 18, 2012 |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821044326/http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2012/09/mckay_tower_in_grand_rapids_qu.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Guild later became the postmaster, with mail at the time being delivered monthly from the [[Gull Lake, Michigan]] to Grand Rapids.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> Grand Rapids in 1833 was only a few acres of land cleared on each side of the Grand River, with oak trees planted in light, sandy soil standing between what is now Lyon Street and Fulton Street.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> [[File:Rathbun House 1870.jpg|180px|thumb|left|The large framed building constructed by Campau in 1834, seen in this image converted into part of the Rathbun House.]] By 1834, the settlement had become more organized. Rev. Turner had established a school on the east side of the river, with children on the west side of the river being brought to school every morning by a Native American on a canoe who would shuttle them across the river. Multiple events happened at Guild's frame structure, including the first marriage in the city, one that involved his daughter Harriet Guild and Barney Burton, as well as the first town meeting that had nine voters. It was also this year Campau began constructing his own frame building—the largest at the time—near present-day Rosa Parks Circle.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> In 1835, many settlers arrived in the area with the population growing to about 50 people, including its first doctor, Dr. Wilson, who was supplied with equipment from Campau.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> [[Lucius Lyon]], using his knowledge from surveying the area, returned to Grand Rapids to purchase the rest of the prime land and called his plot the Village of Kent.<ref name="HISTORY1870" /><ref name="WILD" /> When Lyon and his partner N. O. Sergeant returned after their purchase, they arrived along with a posse of men carrying shovels and picks, intending to build a [[mill race]]. The group arrived to the music of a bugle which startled the settlement, with Chief Noonday offering Campau assistance to drive back Lyon's posse believing they were invaders. Also that year, Rev. Andrew Vizoisky, a Hungarian native educated in Catholic institutions in Austria, arrived, presiding over the Catholic mission in the area until his death in 1852.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> That year, Campau, Rix Robinson, Rev. Slater, and the husband of Chief Noonday's daughter, Meccissininni, traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak about the purchase of Odawa land on the west side of the river with President [[Andrew Jackson]].<ref name="HISTORY1881"/> Jackson was originally unimpressed with Meccissininni, though Meccissininni, who often acquired white customs, asked Jackson for a similar suit to the one the president was wearing. While later wearing his suit that was made similar to Jackson's, Meccissininni also unknowingly imitated Jackson's hat, placing a piece of weed in it, which impressed Jackson since it symbolized mourning the death of his wife.<ref name="HISTORY1881"/> [[John Ball (pioneer)|John Ball]], representing a group of New York land speculators, bypassed Detroit for a better deal in Grand Rapids traveling to the settlement in 1836. Ball declared the Grand River valley "the promised land, or at least the most promising one for my operations".<ref>{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=l2SbZhZfYfEC&pg=PA70 |title = History of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan |first = Albert |last = Baxyer |date = January 1, 1891 |via = Google Books |access-date = October 16, 2015 |archive-date = September 17, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230917135838/https://books.google.com/books?id=l2SbZhZfYfEC&pg=PA70 |url-status = live }}</ref> That year, the first steamboat was constructed on the Grand River named the ''Gov. Mason'', though the ship wrecked two years later in Muskegon.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> [[Yankee]] migrants (primarily English-speaking settlers) and others began migrating from [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[New England]] through the 1830s. Ancestors of these people included not only English colonists but people of mixed ethnic Dutch, [[Mohawk people|Mohawk]], French Canadian, and [[French Huguenot]] descent from the colonial period in New York. However, after 1837, the area saw poor times, with many of the French returning to their places of origin, with poverty hitting the area for the next few years.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> The first Grand Rapids newspaper, ''The Grand River Times'', was printed on April 18, 1837, describing the village's attributes, stating:<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> {{blockquote|Though young in its improvements, the site of this village has long been known and esteemed for its natural advantages. It was here that the Indian traders long since made their great depot.}} ''The Grand River Times'' continued, saying the village had grown quickly from a few French families to about 1,200 residents, the Grand River was "one of the most important and delightful to be found in the country," and described the changing Native American culture in the area.<ref name="HISTORY1870"/> ====Incorporation and cityhood==== [[File:MI Grand Rapids 1868.jpg|thumb|right|An 1868 [[pictorial map]] of Grand Rapids]] By 1838, the settlement incorporated as a village, and encompassed approximately {{Convert|.75|sqmi|sqkm}}.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title = Facts and History |url = https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/About/City-of-Grand-Rapids-Facts-and-History |access-date = September 15, 2021 |website = www.grandrapidsmi.gov |language = en-US |archive-date = September 15, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210915041459/https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/About/City-of-Grand-Rapids-Facts-and-History |url-status = live }}</ref> An outcropping of [[gypsum]], where [[Plaster Creek]] enters the Grand River, was known to the Native American inhabitants of the area. Pioneer geologist [[Douglass Houghton]] commented on this find in 1838.<ref>{{cite web |title = Gypsum |url = http://www.geo.msu.edu/geogmich/gypsummining.html |access-date = August 20, 2017 |publisher = Michigan State University |archive-date = January 20, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130120085857/http://www.geo.msu.edu/geogmich/gypsummining.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last = Lane |first = Alfred Church |url = https://archive.org/details/reportstateboar01survgoog |title = Report of the State Board of Geological Survey: Michigan |publisher = State Board of Geological Survey |year = 1980 |page = [https://archive.org/details/reportstateboar01survgoog/page/n10 3] |via = Internet Archive }}</ref> Settlers began to mine this outcrop in 1841, initially in [[Open-pit mining|open cast mines]], but later underground mines as well. Gypsum was ground locally for use as a soil amendment known as "land plaster." The first formal census in 1845 recorded a population of 1,510<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last = Fisher |first = Ernest B. |url = https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/micounty/ARX2230.0001.001/169?rgn=full+text;view=image |title = Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: historical account of their progress from first settlement to the present time |year = 1918 |pages = 163 |access-date = August 20, 2021 |archive-date = August 20, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210820075522/https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/micounty/ARX2230.0001.001/169?rgn=full+text;view=image |url-status = live }}</ref> and an area of {{Convert|4|sqmi|km2}}.<ref name=":1" /> The city of Grand Rapids was incorporated April 2, 1850.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.grhistory.org/id22.htm |title = Historical Info. A Brief History of Grand Rapids |publisher = Grand Rapids Historical Society |access-date = September 24, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130521084755/http://www.grhistory.org/id22.htm |archive-date = May 21, 2013 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref> It was officially established on May 2, 1850, when the village of Grand Rapids voted to accept the proposed city charter. The population at the time was 2,686. By 1857, the city of Grand Rapids' area totaled {{convert|10.5|sqmi|km2}}.<ref name=":2" /> Through the 1850s, the land containing forty-six [[Indian mounds]] located on the west side between Bridge Street and the Grand River to the south were sold by the United States government, with the mounds being destroyed to fill low-lying land in the area while the Native American artifacts contained within were taken or sold to museums, including the [[Grand Rapids Public Museum]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.grcmc.org |first=Grand Rapids Community Media Center- |title=Indian Mounds |url=http://www.historygrandrapids.org/audio/2497/indian-mounds |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Grand Rapids Historical Commission |language=en-us |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026020859/http://www.historygrandrapids.org/audio/2497/indian-mounds |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 1870, Grand Rapids became a desired location for immigrants, with about 120 Swedes arriving in the United States to travel and create a "colony" in the area in one week.<ref>{{cite news |title = Immigration <!-- |access-date = August 21, 2017--> |work = [[The New York Times]] |date = October 16, 1870 }}</ref> During the second half of the nineteenth century, the city became a major lumbering center, processing timber harvested in the region. Logs were floated down the Grand River to be milled in the city and shipped via the Great Lakes. The city became a center of fine wood products as well. By the end of the century, it was established as the premier furniture-manufacturing city of the United States.<ref name="pubmuseum">{{cite web |title = The Furniture City |url = http://www.grmuseum.org/exhibits/furniture_city |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100305141952/http://www.grmuseum.org/exhibits/furniture_city |archive-date = March 5, 2010 |access-date = March 6, 2010 |publisher = Grand Rapids Public Museum }}</ref> It was the [[Centennial Exposition]] of 1876 in [[Philadelphia]] that brought attention to Grand Rapids' furniture on the national stage, providing a new growing industry to help the city recover from the [[Panic of 1873]].<ref name=":03">{{Cite journal |last = Erdmans |first = Mary Patrice |date = Autumn 2005 |title = The Poles, the Dutch and the Grand Rapids Furniture Strike of 1911 |url = https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148725 |journal = [[Polish American Studies]] |volume = 62 |issue = 2 |pages = 5–22 |doi = 10.2307/20148725 |jstor = 20148725 |s2cid = 254436229 |via = [[JSTOR]] |access-date = August 9, 2021 |archive-date = August 8, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210808140348/https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148725 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1 = Bray |first1 = Nicole |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fawS2hCQ1F4C&pg=PA13 |title = Ghosts of Grand Rapids |last2 = DuShane |first2 = Robert |publisher = The History Press |year = 2013 |isbn = 9781626192058 |pages = 13–14 |name-list-style = amp |via = Google Books }}</ref> In 1880, the country's first hydro-electric generator was put to use on the city's west side.<ref name="hydro">{{cite web |date = September 9, 2005 |title = Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program: History of Hydropower |url = http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/hydro_history.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100126001540/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/hydro_history.html |archive-date = January 26, 2010 |access-date = January 14, 2010 |publisher = [[United States Department of Energy]] }}</ref> === Twentieth century: Furniture City === Due to its flourishing furniture industry, Grand Rapids began being recognized as "Furniture City". Grand Rapids was also an early center for the [[automobile industry]], as the [[Austin Automobile Company]] operated there from 1901 until 1921.{{wide image|Grand Rapids c1915 6a13439u.jpg|900px|align-cap=center|A 1915 panorama, when the furniture industry peaked before the Great Depression.}}Furniture companies included the William A. Berkey Company and its successors, [[Baker Furniture Company]], Williams-Kimp, and [[Widdicomb Furniture Company]].<ref>{{cite web |title = Furniture Detective: Not All Antique Grand Rapids Furniture Is Grand |url = http://www.antiquetrader.com/featured/furniture-detective-not-all-antique-grand-rapids-furniture-is-grand |website = The Antique Trader |date = August 10, 2022 |access-date = August 16, 2014 |archive-date = August 19, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090037/http://www.antiquetrader.com/featured/furniture-detective-not-all-antique-grand-rapids-furniture-is-grand |url-status = live }}</ref> The furniture industry began to grow significantly into the twentieth century; in 1870 there were eight factories employing 280 workers and by 1911, [[Old National Bank]] wrote that about 8,500 were employed by forty-seven factories.<ref name=":03"/><ref name="VIVA">{{cite book |last1 = Flaherty |first1 = Viva |title = History of the Grand Rapids Furniture Strike With Facts Hitherto Unpublished |date = October 1911 |pages = 1–29 }}</ref> At least a third of the workers in Grand Rapids were employed by furniture companies.<ref name=":03" /> ''The Grand Rapids Furniture Record'' was the trade paper for the city's industry. Its industries provided jobs for many new immigrants from Europe in the late 19th and early 20th century, and a Polish neighborhood developed on the west side of the city. ==== Strike of 1911 ==== {{Main|1911 Grand Rapids furniture workers strike}} [[File:Grand Rapids furniture strike - riot police.jpg|left|thumb|The [[riot police]] who responded to the [[1911 Grand Rapids furniture workers strike]]]] By the early twentieth century, the quality of furniture produced in Grand Rapids was renowned throughout furniture industry, mainly due to the skill of its workers.<ref name="VIVA" /> Government reports in 1907 revealed that while Grand Rapids lead the industry in product output, its furniture workers were paid lower wages than in other areas.<ref name="VIVA" /> After a minor dispute, workers were inspired to form [[labor union]]s; workers requested furniture companies to increase [[wage]]s, fewer working hours, the creation of [[collective bargaining]] and the institution of a [[minimum wage]] to replace [[piece work]].<ref name=":03" /><ref name="VIVA" /> The furniture businesses refused to respond with unions as they believed that any meeting represented recognition of unions.<ref name=":03" /><ref name="VIVA" /> Workers in Grand Rapids then began a four month long [[general strike]] on April 19, 1911.<ref name=":03" /><ref name="MLIVE12">{{Cite web |last = Martinez |first = Shandra |date = April 3, 2011 |title = Labor strife in Wisconsin reminiscent of great furniture strike of 1911 in Grand Rapids |url = https://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/2011/04/labor_strife_in_wisconsin_remi.html |access-date = August 7, 2021 |website = MLive |language = en |archive-date = June 13, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210613024159/https://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/2011/04/labor_strife_in_wisconsin_remi.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Much of the public, the mayor, the press and the Catholic diocese supported the strike, believing that the unwillingness of business leaders to negotiate was unjust. Skilled and unskilled factory labor was mainly Dutch (60 percent) and Polish (25 percent), primarily immigrants. According to the 1911 Immigration Commission report, the Dutch had an average of 8 percent higher wages than the Poles even when they did the same work. The pay difference was based on seniority and not ethnicity, but given that the Dutch had arrived earlier, seniority was linked to ethnicity.<ref name=":03" /><ref name="VIVA" /> Ultimately, the Christian Reformed Church – where the majority of Dutch striking workers congregated – and the [[Fountain Street Church]] – led opposition to the strike, which resulted in its end on August 19, 1911.<ref name=":03" /><ref name="MLIVE12" /> The strike resulted with substantial changes to the governmental and labor structure of the city.<ref name="MLIVE12" /> With businesses upset with Mayor Ellis for supporting the strike lobbied for the city to change from a twelve-ward government – which more accurately represented the city's ethnic groups – to a smaller three ward system that placed more power into the demands of Dutch citizens, the city's largest demographic.<ref name=":06">{{Cite journal |last = Erdmans |first = Mary Patrice |date = Autumn 2005 |title = The Poles, the Dutch and the Grand Rapids Furniture Strike of 1911 |journal = [[Polish American Studies]] |volume = 62 |issue = 2 |pages = 5–22 |doi = 10.2307/20148725 |jstor = 20148725 |s2cid = 254436229 }}</ref><ref name="MLIVE12"/> Some workers who participated in the strike were [[blacklisted]] by companies and thousands of dissatisfied furniture workers emigrated to higher paying regions.<ref name=":03" /><ref name="VIVA" /> ==== Move to retail and suburbanization ==== [[File:Grand Rapids Monroe Center 1965.jpg|thumb|Monroe Center in January 1965, with [[Sears]], [[S. S. Kresge Company]], [[Steketee's]] and Wurzburg's visible]] Shifting from its furniture-centric industry, downtown Grand Rapids temporarily became a retail destination for the region, hosting four department stores: Herpolsheimer's ([[Lazarus (department store)|Lazarus]]), [[Jacobson's]], [[Steketee's]] (founded in 1862), and Wurzburg's. In 1945, Grand Rapids became the first city in the United States to add [[fluoridation|fluoride]] to its drinking water. National home furnishing conferences were held in Grand Rapids for about seventy-five years, concluding in the 1960s. By that time, the furniture-making industry had largely shifted to [[North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web |title = North Carolina, the Furniture Capital of the World |url = http://www.visitnc.com/story/north-carolina-the-furniture-capital-of-the-world |website = Visit NC |access-date = August 16, 2014 |archive-date = July 30, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140730180918/https://www.visitnc.com/story/north-carolina-the-furniture-capital-of-the-world |url-status = live }}</ref> As with many older cities in the United States, retail in the city suffered as the population moved to suburbs in the postwar era with federal subsidization of highway construction. The Grand Rapids suburb [[Wyoming, Michigan|Wyoming]] began to develop rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s following the opening of retail outlets such as [[Rogers Plaza]] and Wyoming Village Mall on [[M-11 (Michigan highway)|28th Street]], with developments built so quickly that they were finished without utilities.<ref name="CVDS77">{{cite book |last1 = Vaughn |first1 = Charles |title = The City of Wyoming: A History |last2 = Simon |first2 = Dorothy |date = 1984 |publisher = Four Corners Press |location = Franklin, Michigan |pages = 77–112 }}</ref> Consolidation of department stores occurred in Grand Rapids and nationally in the 1980s and 1990s. ==Geography== {{More citations needed section|date=October 2009}} === Neighborhoods === According to city government data, Grand Rapids has 37 distinct neighborhoods:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://data.grandrapidsmi.gov/dataset/Neighborhood-Classifications/atiu-vc7e/data | title=Neighborhood Classifications | Open Performance | access-date=November 19, 2022 | archive-date=November 19, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119060122/https://data.grandrapidsmi.gov/dataset/Neighborhood-Classifications/atiu-vc7e/data | url-status=live }}</ref> {{columns-list|colwidth=20em| * Alger Heights * Baxter * [[Belknap Lookout]] * Black Hills * Creston * Downtown * East Hills * Eastern-Burton * Eastgate * [[Eastown, Grand Rapids|Eastown]] * Fulton Heights * Garfield Park * Grandville * [[Heartside]] * [[Heritage Hill Historic District (Grand Rapids, Michigan)|Heritage Hill]] * Highland Park * John Ball Park * Ken-O-Sha Park * Lake Eastbrook * Leffingwell-Twin Lakes * Michigan Oaks * Midtown * Millbank * North End * North Park * Northeast * Ottawa Hills * Richmond-Oakleigh * Ridgemoor Park * Roosevelt Park * Shangrai-La * Shawmut Hills * Shawnee Park * Southeast Community * Southeast End * Southwest * West Grand }} ===Topography=== [[File:Grand Rapids by Sentinel-2.jpg|thumb|The [[Grand Rapids metropolitan area]] taken by the [[Sentinel-2]] satellite in June 2022.]] Grand Rapids developed on the banks of the [[Grand River (Michigan)|Grand River]], where there was once a set of rapids, at an altitude of {{convert|610|ft|m|0}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]]. Ships could navigate on the river up to this fall line, stopping because of the rapids. The river valley is flat and narrow, surrounded by steep hills and bluffs. The terrain becomes more rolling hills away from the river. The countryside surrounding the metropolitan area consists of mixed forest and farmland, with large areas of orchards to the northwest. It is approximately {{convert|25|mi|abbr=on}} east of [[Lake Michigan]]. The state capital of [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]] lies about {{convert|70|mi|abbr=on}} to the east-by-southeast, and [[Kalamazoo, Michigan|Kalamazoo]] is about {{convert|50|mi|abbr=on}} to the south. Grand Rapids is divided into four [[Address (geography)#Quadrants|quadrants]], which form a part of mailing addresses in Kent County. The quadrants are NE (northeast), NW (northwest), SE (southeast), and SW (southwest). Fulton Street serves as the north–south dividing line, while Division Avenue serves as the east–west dividing line separating these quadrants. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|45.27|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|44.40|sqmi|sqkm|2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.87|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title = US Gazetteer files 2010 |url = https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110220065340/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date = February 20, 2011 |publisher = United States Census Bureau |access-date = November 25, 2012 }}</ref> ===Climate=== {{climate chart | Grand Rapids | 18.1 | 30.7 | 2.09 | 19.9 | 33.7 | 1.79 | 26.9 | 44.4 | 2.37 | 37.7 | 58.2 | 3.35 | 47.8 | 69.5 | 3.98 | 57.7 | 79.0 | 3.77 | 62.2 | 82.8 | 3.78 | 61.0 | 80.6 | 3.59 | 52.7 | 73.0 | 4.28 | 41.8 | 60.3 | 3.26 | 33.0 | 47.3 | 3.51 | 23.5 | 34.8 | 2.50 | float = right | clear = none | units = imperial | source = NOAA<ref>[https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=grr National Weather Office Forecast Office] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508110620/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=grr |date=May 8, 2021 }} Grand Rapids, MI. (select NOWData, then daily/monthly normals) Retrieved April 13, 2020.</ref> }} Grand Rapids has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfa''),<ref>{{cite journal |first1 = Markus |last1 = Kottek |first2 = Jürgen |last2 = Grieser |first3 = Christoph |last3 = Beck |first4 = Bruno |last4 = Rudolf |first5 = Franz |last5 = Rubel |name-list-style = amp |url = http://www.schweizerbart.de/resources/downloads/paper_free/55034.pdf |title = World Map of the Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated |journal = Meteorologische Zeitschrift |volume = 15 |issue = 3 |pages = 259–263 |date = June 2006 |doi = 10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130 |bibcode = 2006MetZe..15..259K |access-date = February 13, 2014 |archive-date = April 12, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190412021016/http://www.schweizerbart.de/resources/downloads/paper_free/55034.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref> with very warm and humid summers, cold and snowy winters, and short and mild springs and autumns. Even though it is in the middle of the continent, the city experiences some maritime effects due to its location east of Lake Michigan, including a high number of cloudy days during the late fall and winter, delayed heating in the spring, delayed cooling in fall, somewhat moderated temperatures during winter and [[lake effect snow]]. The city averages {{convert|75.6|in|cm|abbr=on}} of snow a year, making it one of the snowiest major cities in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title = America's 20 Snowiest Major Cities |url = https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/20-snowiest-large-cities-america-20140130#/14 |publisher = The Weather Channel |access-date = August 21, 2017 |first = Jon |last = Erdman |archive-date = February 26, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170226223829/https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/20-snowiest-large-cities-america-20140130#/14 |url-status = dead }}</ref> The area often receives quick and sudden [[lake effect snow]]storms, producing significant amounts of snowfall. The months of March, April, October and November are transitional months and the weather can vary. March has experienced a record high of {{convert|87|°F}} and record low of {{convert|-13|°F}}. The average last frost date in spring is May 1, and the average first frost in fall is October 11, giving the area a growing season of 162 days.<ref>{{cite web |title = National Weather Service Climate |url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=grr |access-date = August 21, 2017 |publisher = National Weather Service Corporate Image Web Team |archive-date = May 8, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210508110620/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=grr |url-status = live }}</ref> The city is in plant hardiness zone 6a, while outlying areas are 5b. Some far western suburbs closer to the insulating effect of Lake Michigan are in zone 6b.<ref>{{cite web |title = USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |url = http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ |publisher = [[United States Department of Agriculture]] |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140227032333/http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ |archive-date = February 27, 2014 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Summers are warm or hot, and [[heat wave]]s and [[severe weather]] outbreaks are common during a typical summer. The average temperature of the area is {{convert|49|°F}}. The highest temperature in the area was recorded on July 13, 1936, at {{convert|108|°F}}, and the lowest was recorded on February 13–14, 1899, at {{convert|-24|°F}}.<ref>{{cite web |title = THE GRAND RAPIDS MI (ASOS) CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE YEAR OF 2019 |url = https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=grr&product=cla&issuedby=grr |website = [[National Weather Service]] |access-date = January 24, 2020 |language = EN-US |archive-date = January 24, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200124103340/https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=grr&product=cla&issuedby=grr |url-status = live }}</ref> During an average year, sunshine occurs in 46% of the daylight hours. On 138 nights, the temperature dips to below {{convert|32|°F|0|abbr=on}}. On average, 9.2 days a year have temperatures that meet or exceed the {{convert|90|°F|0}} mark, and 5.6 days a year have lows that are {{convert|0|°F|0}} or colder. The coldest maximum temperature on record was {{convert|-6|F|C}} in 1899, whereas the most recent subzero Fahrenheit daily maximum was {{convert|-2|F|C}} in 1994.<ref name=GrandRapidsNOAA/> During the reference period of 1991 to 2020, the coldest daily maximum on average was {{convert|11|F|C}}.<ref name=GrandRapidsNOAA/> Summer nights influenced by the lake can be hot and muggy on occasion. The warmest night on record was {{convert|82|F|C}} in 1902 and lows above {{convert|72|F|C}} have been measured in every month between April and October.<ref name=GrandRapidsNOAA/> On average, the warmest low of the year stood at {{convert|74|F|C}} for the 1991–2020 normals.<ref name=GrandRapidsNOAA/> The most recent record set was the February record high of {{convert|73|F|C}}, which was recorded on February 27, 2024. In April 1956, the western and northern portions of the city and its suburbs were hit by a [[April 1956 tornado outbreak|violent tornado]] which locally produced [[Fujita scale|F5 damage]] and killed 18 people.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.weather.gov/grr/1956TornadoOutbreakEyewitnessVT |title = 1956 Tornado Outbreak |author = [[National Weather Service]] |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821050644/http://www.weather.gov/grr/1956TornadoOutbreakEyewitnessVT |url-status = live }}</ref> With the Grand River flowing through the center of Grand Rapids, the city has been prone to floods. From March 25 to 29, 1904, more than one-half of the entire populated portion of the city lying on the west side of the river was completely underwater, over twenty-five hundred houses, affecting fourteen thousand persons, being completely surrounded. On March 28, the river registered at {{convert|19.6|ft|m}}, more than {{convert|2|ft|m|spell=in}} above its highest previous mark.<ref>{{cite web |title = New Perspectives on the 1904 Flood in Grand Rapids, Michigan |publisher = Grand Valley State University |date = March 2004 |url = https://www.gvsu.edu/geology/1904-flood-in-grand-rapids-44.htm |access-date = August 20, 2017 |archive-date = September 19, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150919232037/https://www.gvsu.edu/geology/1904-flood-in-grand-rapids-44.htm |url-status = live }}</ref> More than one-hundred years later, the [[2013 Grand Rapids flood]] occurred from April 12 to 25, 2013, with the river cresting at {{convert|21.85|ft|m|}} on the 21st, causing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes and over $10 million in damage.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Tunison |first1 = John |title = Flood Damage Report: $10.6 Million to Kent County Properties |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/05/flood_damage_report_106_millio.html |access-date = February 28, 2015 |work = MLive |date = May 16, 2013 |archive-date = April 2, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092347/http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/05/flood_damage_report_106_millio.html |url-status = live }}</ref> <section begin="weather box" />{{Weather box|location=Grand Rapids, Michigan ([[Gerald R. Ford International Airport|Gerald Ford Int'l]]), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present{{efn|Official records for Grand Rapids kept June 1892 to December 1940 at downtown, at the [[Gerald R. Ford International Airport#History|first Grand Rapids Airport]] some {{convert|4|mi|abbr=on}} south of downtown from January 1941 to November 23, 1963, and at Gerald Ford Int'l since its opening on November 24, 1963. For more information, see Threadex.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://threadex.rcc-acis.org/ |title=Threadex |access-date=September 19, 2016 |archive-date=March 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305145240/http://threadex.rcc-acis.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} |single line= Y |collapsed= Y |Jan record high F = 66 |Feb record high F = 73 |Mar record high F = 87 |Apr record high F = 90 |May record high F = 95 |Jun record high F = 102 |Jul record high F = 108 |Aug record high F = 102 |Sep record high F = 98 |Oct record high F = 89 |Nov record high F = 81 |Dec record high F = 69 |year record high F = |Jan avg record high F = 51.3 |Feb avg record high F = 51.9 |Mar avg record high F = 67.9 |Apr avg record high F = 79.2 |May avg record high F = 86.0 |Jun avg record high F = 91.8 |Jul avg record high F = 92.5 |Aug avg record high F = 91.1 |Sep avg record high F = 87.8 |Oct avg record high F = 78.8 |Nov avg record high F = 65.3 |Dec avg record high F = 54.4 |year avg record high F = 94.3 |Jan high F = 31.0 |Feb high F = 33.7 |Mar high F = 44.5 |Apr high F = 57.8 |May high F = 69.8 |Jun high F = 79.4 |Jul high F = 83.1 |Aug high F = 80.9 |Sep high F = 73.9 |Oct high F = 60.7 |Nov high F = 47.2 |Dec high F = 36.1 |year high F = 58.2 |Jan mean F = 24.8 |Feb mean F = 26.6 |Mar mean F = 35.7 |Apr mean F = 47.6 |May mean F = 59.2 |Jun mean F = 68.9 |Jul mean F = 72.8 |Aug mean F = 71.1 |Sep mean F = 63.5 |Oct mean F = 51.5 |Nov mean F = 40.0 |Dec mean F = 30.4 |year mean F = 49.3 |Jan low F = 18.6 |Feb low F = 19.5 |Mar low F = 26.9 |Apr low F = 37.3 |May low F = 48.6 |Jun low F = 58.3 |Jul low F = 62.5 |Aug low F = 61.2 |Sep low F = 53.1 |Oct low F = 42.2 |Nov low F = 32.8 |Dec low F = 24.7 |year low F = 40.5 |Jan avg record low F = -2.8 |Feb avg record low F = 0.0 |Mar avg record low F = 7.5 |Apr avg record low F = 22.9 |May avg record low F = 33.4 |Jun avg record low F = 44.0 |Jul avg record low F = 51.0 |Aug avg record low F = 49.3 |Sep avg record low F = 38.6 |Oct avg record low F = 28.6 |Nov avg record low F = 18.9 |Dec avg record low F = 6.3 |year avg record low F = -6.3 |Jan record low F = −22 |Feb record low F = −24 |Mar record low F = −13 |Apr record low F = 3 |May record low F = 21 |Jun record low F = 32 |Jul record low F = 41 |Aug record low F = 39 |Sep record low F = 27 |Oct record low F = 18 |Nov record low F = −10 |Dec record low F = −18 |year record low F = −24 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 2.52 |Feb precipitation inch = 2.12 |Mar precipitation inch = 2.39 |Apr precipitation inch = 3.99 |May precipitation inch = 4.00 |Jun precipitation inch = 3.94 |Jul precipitation inch = 3.86 |Aug precipitation inch = 3.55 |Sep precipitation inch = 3.43 |Oct precipitation inch = 4.02 |Nov precipitation inch = 3.10 |Dec precipitation inch = 2.48 |year precipitation inch = 39.40 |Jan snow inch = 22.6 |Feb snow inch = 17.2 |Mar snow inch = 7.6 |Apr snow inch = 2.0 |May snow inch = 0.0 |Jun snow inch = 0.0 |Jul snow inch = 0.0 |Aug snow inch = 0.0 |Sep snow inch = 0.0 |Oct snow inch = 0.3 |Nov snow inch = 7.1 |Dec snow inch = 20.8 |year snow inch = 77.6 |Jan snow depth inch = 9.0 |Feb snow depth inch = 8.8 |Mar snow depth inch = 5.7 |Apr snow depth inch = 1.0 |May snow depth inch = 0.0 |Jun snow depth inch = 0.0 |Jul snow depth inch = 0.0 |Aug snow depth inch = 0.0 |Sep snow depth inch = 0.0 |Oct snow depth inch = 0.1 |Nov snow depth inch = 2.5 |Dec snow depth inch = 6.3 |year snow depth inch = 12.1 |unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |Jan precipitation days = 16.8 |Feb precipitation days = 13.1 |Mar precipitation days = 11.8 |Apr precipitation days = 12.8 |May precipitation days = 12.5 |Jun precipitation days = 10.7 |Jul precipitation days = 10.0 |Aug precipitation days = 9.9 |Sep precipitation days = 10.2 |Oct precipitation days = 12.5 |Nov precipitation days = 12.9 |Dec precipitation days = 15.5 |year precipitation days = 148.7 |unit snow days = 0.1 in |Jan snow days = 14.9 |Feb snow days = 11.2 |Mar snow days = 5.9 |Apr snow days = 2.1 |May snow days = 0.0 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.4 |Nov snow days = 4.5 |Dec snow days = 11.9 |year snow days = 50.9 |Jan humidity = 77.2 |Feb humidity = 74.2 |Mar humidity = 71.1 |Apr humidity = 66.8 |May humidity = 65.4 |Jun humidity = 68.1 |Jul humidity = 69.6 |Aug humidity = 73.3 |Sep humidity = 76.1 |Oct humidity = 74.6 |Nov humidity = 76.9 |Dec humidity = 79.5 |year humidity = 72.7 | Jan dew point C = -8.7 | Feb dew point C = -8.4 | Mar dew point C = -4.0 | Apr dew point C = 1.4 | May dew point C = 7.2 | Jun dew point C = 12.8 | Jul dew point C = 15.7 | Aug dew point C = 15.2 | Sep dew point C = 11.7 | Oct dew point C = 5.1 | Nov dew point C = -0.2 | Dec dew point C = -5.7 | year dew point = |Jan sun = 88.3 |Feb sun = 116.0 |Mar sun = 168.2 |Apr sun = 210.2 |May sun = 255.9 |Jun sun = 286.8 |Jul sun = 296.5 |Aug sun = 264.2 |Sep sun = 206.0 |Oct sun = 152.4 |Nov sun = 82.0 |Dec sun = 62.1 |Jan percentsun = 30 |Feb percentsun = 39 |Mar percentsun = 45 |Apr percentsun = 52 |May percentsun = 56 |Jun percentsun = 62 |Jul percentsun = 64 |Aug percentsun = 61 |Sep percentsun = 55 |Oct percentsun = 45 |Nov percentsun = 28 |Dec percentsun = 22 |year percentsun = 49 |source 1 = [[NOAA]] (relative humidity, dew point, and sun 1961–1990)<ref name=GrandRapidsNOAA>{{cite web |url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=grr |title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = May 8, 2021 |archive-date = May 8, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210508110620/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=grr |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210508142949/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00094860&format=pdf |archive-date = May 8, 2021 |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00094860&format=pdf |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = Station: Grand Rapids, MI |access-date = May 8, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP4/72635.TXT |title = WMO Climate Normals for Grand Rapids/Kent Co. Int'l Ar., MI 1961–1990 |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = March 10, 2014 |archive-date = September 17, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230917135840/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP4/72635.TXT |url-status = live }}</ref> |date=February 2014}}<section end="weather box"/> ===Cityscape=== {{See also|List of tallest buildings in Grand Rapids|List of nature centers in Michigan}} The city skyline shows the [[Amway Grand Plaza Hotel]], formerly the Pantlind, which reopened in 1981 after extensive renovations by Marvin DeWinter & Associates. This work included the addition of a 29–story glass tower offering panoramic views of the city, river and surrounding area. The Pantlind Hotel's original architects, Warren & Wetmore, were inspired by the work of the Scottish neoclassical architect [[Robert Adam]]. In its prime, the hotel was rated as one of the top ten hotels in the US. The hotel features several restaurants well known in Grand Rapids. The hotel is owned by Amway Hotel Collection, a subsidiary of Amway's holding company [[Alticor]].<ref>{{cite web |first = Richard L. |last = Johnson |url = http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2004_4th/Oct04_Alticor.html |title = Alticor, Which Owns and Operates the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Planning a 300–400 Room Marriott in Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan / October 2004 |website = Hotel-online.com |date = October 5, 2004 |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-date = April 16, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160416083949/http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2004_4th/Oct04_Alticor.html |url-status = live }}</ref> {{wide image|Grand Rapids, MI skyline 2021.jpg|900px|align-cap=center|The skyline of Grand Rapids as seen in August 2021}} Other prominent large buildings include the [[JW Marriott Grand Rapids]], the first JW Marriott Hotel in the Midwest. It is themed from cityscapes of Grand Rapids' sister cities: Omihachiman, Japan; Bielsko-Biała, Poland; Perugia, Italy; Ga District, Ghana; and Zapopan, Mexico. When the hotel opened, Amway Hotel corporation hired photographer Dan Watts to travel to each of the sister cities and photograph them for the property. Each floor of the hotel features photography from one of the cities, which is unique to that floor. Cityscapes of these five cities are alternated in order, up the 23 floors. The city's tallest building is the [[River House Condominiums]], a 34-story (123.8 m) condominium tower completed in 2008 that stands as the tallest all-residential building in the state of Michigan.<ref name="emporiscorp">{{cite web |url = https://www.serviceprofessor.com/2017/11/tallest-buildings-in-grand-rapids/ |title = Grand Rapids High-rise Buildings |publisher = Service Professor Grand Rapids |access-date = November 20, 2017 |archive-date = September 17, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230917135841/https://www.serviceprofessor.com/ |url-status = live }}</ref> [[File:Barn_at_Blandford_Nature_Center_in_Springtime.jpg|right|thumb|A barn belonging to the Blandford School at the Blandford Nature Center in early springtime]] Grand Rapids is also home to two large urban nature centers. The Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens, operated by [[Calvin University]] on the city's southeast side, is {{convert|104|acre|ha}}. It is home to over {{convert|44|acre|ha}} of public-access nature trails, a {{convert|60|acre|ha|adj=on}}, restricted-access wildlife preserve, as well as the Bunker Interpretive Center, which hosts university classes and educational programs for the wider community.<ref>{{cite web |title = About Us: Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens |url = https://calvin.edu/ecosystem-preserve/about/ |publisher = Calvin University |access-date = September 9, 2019 |archive-date = December 28, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191228225430/https://calvin.edu/ecosystem-preserve/about/ |url-status = live }}</ref> The Blandford Nature Center, located on the city's northwest side, opened in 1968 and contains extensive nature trails, an animal hospital, and a "heritage village" made up of several well-preserved 19th-century buildings, including a log cabin, schoolhouse, and barn.<ref>{{cite web |title = About Blandford |url = https://blandfordnaturecenter.org/about/ |publisher = Blandford Nature Center |access-date = September 9, 2019 |archive-date = December 31, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191231063820/https://blandfordnaturecenter.org/about/ |url-status = live }}</ref> The nature center is also home to Blandford School, a highly selective environmental education program for sixth graders from the metropolitan region, which is run by [[Grand Rapids Public Schools]] and serves as a feeder school for [[City High-Middle School]]. At {{convert|264|acre|ha}}, Blandford is one of the largest urban nature centers in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Smith |first1 = Sydney |title = Blandford Nature Center Begins Demolition as Part of $6.6M Highlands Restoration Project |url = https://mibiz.com/sections/real-estate-development/blandford-nature-center-begins-demolition-as-part-of-6-6m-highlands-restoration-project?highlight=WyJzeWRuZXkiLCJzbWl0aCIsInNtaXRoJ3MiLCJzeWRuZXkgc21pdGgiXQ== |access-date = September 9, 2019 |work = MiBiz |date = September 8, 2019 |archive-date = December 28, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191228072935/https://mibiz.com/sections/real-estate-development/blandford-nature-center-begins-demolition-as-part-of-6-6m-highlands-restoration-project?highlight=WyJzeWRuZXkiLCJzbWl0aCIsInNtaXRoJ3MiLCJzeWRuZXkgc21pdGgiXQ== |url-status = live }}</ref> ==Demographics== {{US Census population |1850= 2686 |1860= 8085 |1870= 16507 |1880= 32016 |1890= 60278 |1900= 87565 |1910= 112571 |1920= 137634 |1930= 168592 |1940= 164292 |1950= 176515 |1960= 177313 |1970= 197649 |1980= 181843 |1990= 189126 |2000= 197800 |2010= 188036 |2020= 198917 |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url = https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html |title = Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades |publisher = [[US Census Bureau]] |access-date = |archive-date = July 6, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220706023553/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html |url-status = live }}</ref><br /> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/> }} ===2020 census=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Grand Rapids city, Michigan– Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small> !Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Grand Rapids city, Michigan|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=1600000US2634000|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web |title = P2 Hispanic or Latino, and not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Grand Rapids city, Michigan |url = https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US2634000&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |publisher = United States Census Bureau |access-date = April 14, 2022 |archive-date = April 14, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414113754/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US2634000&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |url-status = live }}</ref> !{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web |title = P2 Hispanic or Latino, and not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Grand Rapids city, Michigan |url = https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US2634000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |publisher = United States Census Bureau |access-date = April 14, 2022 |archive-date = April 14, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414113440/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US2634000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |url-status = live }}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !{{partial|% 2020}} |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH) |123,537 |110,890 |style='background: #ffffe6; |114,290 |62.16% |58.97% |style='background: #ffffe6; |57.46% |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH) |39,401 |37,890 |style='background: #ffffe6; |36,493 |19.92% |20.15% |style='background: #ffffe6; |18.35% |- |[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH) |1,147 |788 |style='background: #ffffe6; |659 |0.58% |0.42% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.33% |- |[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH) |3,147 |3,445 |style='background: #ffffe6; |4,483 |1.59% |1.83% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.25% |- |[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH) |134 |58 |style='background: #ffffe6; |70 |0.07% |0.03% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.04% |- |[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Some Other Race]] alone (NH) |356 |287 |style='background: #ffffe6; |916 |0.18% |0.15% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.46% |- |[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race/Multi-Racial]] (NH) |4,260 |5,421 |style='background: #ffffe6; |9,209 |2.15% |2.88% |style='background: #ffffe6; |4.63% |- |[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race) |25,818 |29,261 |style='background: #ffffe6; |32,797 |13.05% |15.56% |style='background: #ffffe6; |16.49% |- |'''Total''' |'''197,800''' |'''188,040''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''198,917''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |} ===2010 census=== As of the 2010 [[census]],<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web |title = U.S. Census website |url = https://www.census.gov/ |publisher = United States Census Bureau |access-date = November 25, 2012 |archive-date = July 9, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status = live }}</ref> there were 188,036 people, 72,126 households, and 41,015 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|4235.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 80,619 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1815.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The city's racial makeup was 64.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (59.0% [[Non-Hispanic White]]<ref>{{cite web |url = http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/2634000.html |title = Grand Rapids (city), Michigan |website = State & County QuickFacts |publisher = United States Census Bureau |access-date = April 21, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120430102402/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/2634000.html |archive-date = April 30, 2012 }}</ref>), 20.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.7% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 7.7% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] residents of any race were 15.6% of the population.<ref>{{cite journal |first = Delia |last = Fernández |title = Becoming Latino: Mexican and Puerto Rican Community Formation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1926–1964 |journal = Michigan Historical Review |volume = 39 |date = Spring 2013 |pages = 71–100 |doi = 10.5342/michhistrevi.39.1.0071 }}</ref> Of the 72,126 households, 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.1% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.20. The median age in the city was 30.8 years. 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 14.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.6% were from 25 to 44; 21.2% were from 45 to 64; and 11.1% were 65 years of age or older. The city's gender makeup was 48.7% male and 51.3% female. ===2000 census=== There were 73,217 households, of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.3% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.24. In the city, the age distribution shows 27.0% under the age of 18, 13.1% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males. The city's median household income was $37,224, and the median family income was $44,224. Males had a median income of $33,050 versus $26,382 for females. The city's [[per capita income]] was $17,661. 15.7% of the population and 11.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 19.4% are under the age of 18 and 10.4% are 65 or older. ===Ethnicity=== According to a 2007 American Community Survey, the largest ancestry groups in Grand Rapids reported (not including "American") were those of [[German American|German]] (23.4% of the population), [[Dutch American|Dutch]] (21.2%), [[Irish American|Irish]] (11.4%), [[English American|English]] (10.8%), [[Polish American|Polish]] (6.5%), and [[French American|French]] (4.1%) heritage.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.rightplace.org/media/docs/Race,%20Ethnicity,%20Foregin%20Born%20and%20Ancestry.pdf |archive-url = https://www.webcitation.org/6DEr1TBAM?url=http://www.rightplace.org/media/docs/Race%2C%20Ethnicity%2C%20Foregin%20Born%20and%20Ancestry.pdf |archive-date = December 28, 2012 |title = West Michigan Race, Ethnicity, Foreign Born, Ancestry |website = The Right Place: Advancing the West Michigan Economy |publisher = The Right Place, Inc. |access-date = September 9, 2012 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref> After the [[Fall of Saigon]], Grand Rapids welcomed thousands of Vietnamese refugees. Local nonprofits helped them settle throughout West Michigan. Special attention was paid to Grand Rapids because of President [[Gerald R Ford|Gerald R. Ford's]] Grand Rapids roots.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.grpl.org/repositories/4/resources/247 | title=Collection: West Michigan Vietnamese History Project collection | Grand Rapids History Center | access-date=November 19, 2022 | archive-date=September 17, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917135842/https://archive.grpl.org/repositories/4/resources/247 | url-status=live }}</ref> In recent decades, Grand Rapids and its suburban areas have seen their Latino communities grow. Between 2000 and 2010 the Latino population in Grand Rapids grew from 25,818 to 29,261, increasing over 13% in a decade.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Roelofs |first1 = Ted |title = Census shows Hispanics fuel much of the growth in Wyoming and other West Michigan cities |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/03/census_shows_hispanics_fuel_mu.html |access-date = August 21, 2017 |work = MLive |date = March 27, 2001 |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821045247/http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/03/census_shows_hispanics_fuel_mu.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Into the 21st century, the African American population of Grand Rapids continually declined.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last = McVicar |first = Brian |date = May 22, 2022 |title = Black population shrinks |pages = A1–A2 |work = [[The Grand Rapids Press]] }}</ref> In 2022, ''The Grand Rapids Press'' reported that the population of African Americans in the city declined 4% over the decade, with the newspaper writing that [[gentrification]], increasing rent, [[urban sprawl]] into the neighboring cities of Kentwood and Wyoming—which experienced increased African American population growth—and [[New Great Migration]] trends contributed to the loss of black residents.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |date = May 16, 2022 |title = Gentrification in Grand Rapids neighborhood is hurting diversity, Black resident says |url = https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2022/05/gentrification-in-grand-rapids-neighborhood-is-hurting-diversity-black-resident-says.html |access-date = May 23, 2022 |website = [[MLive]] |language = en |archive-date = May 23, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220523070952/https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2022/05/gentrification-in-grand-rapids-neighborhood-is-hurting-diversity-black-resident-says.html |url-status = live }}</ref> The decline of African American residents occurred primarily in the northeast and southeast areas of the city.<ref>{{Cite map |last = Levin |first = Scott |year = 2022 |title = 2010–20: Grand Rapids black population by census tract |url = https://mlive.carto.com/u/levinscott/builder/11ea8033-677f-400a-aad4-39b27417e8d1/embed?state=%7B%22map%22:%7B%22ne%22:%5B42.92085776442088,-85.76511383056642%5D,%22sw%22:%5B43.014563646602035,-85.56461334228516%5D,%22center%22:%5B42.96772854927362,-85.6648635864258%5D,%22zoom%22:13%7D%7D |access-date = May 23, 2022 |website = Carto |language = en }}</ref> ===Religion=== [[File:ORDINATION2012 455.JPG|upright=0.666|thumb|right|[[Cathedral of Saint Andrew (Grand Rapids, Michigan)|Cathedral of Saint Andrew]]]] The [[Christian Reformed Church in North America]] has a large following in Grand Rapids, and its denominational offices are located here.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.thearda.com/denoms/D_921_d.asp |title = Christian Reformed Church in North America- Religious Groups |publisher = Association of Religion Data Archives |access-date = August 20, 2017 |archive-date = November 1, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131101193825/http://www.thearda.com/denoms/D_921_d.asp |url-status = live }}</ref> [[File:Temple Emanual.jpg|thumb|left|[[Temple Emanuel (Grand Rapids, Michigan)|Temple Emanuel]] in 2019]] The [[Reform Judaism]] congregation of [[Temple Emanuel (Grand Rapids, Michigan)|Temple Emanuel]] was founded in 1857 and the fifth oldest Reform congregation in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.templeemanuelgr.org/brief_history.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080915023125/http://www.templeemanuelgr.org/brief_history.html |archive-date = September 15, 2008 |title = Temple Emanuel – A Brief History |date = September 15, 2008 |access-date = September 8, 2018 }}</ref> The congregation built its first [[synagogue]] in 1882 on the corner of Fountain and Ransom Streets. The current location was constructed in 1952.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://museum.msu.edu/museum/msgc/feb05.html |title = Michigan State University Museum – MSU Museum |publisher = Museum.msu.edu |date = April 10, 2018 |access-date = September 8, 2018 |archive-date = October 13, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081013110630/http://museum.msu.edu/museum/msgc/feb05.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Grand Rapids is home to the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids]], which was created on May 19, 1882, by [[Pope Leo XIII]]. The Diocese comprises 176,098 Catholics in [[West Michigan]], 102 parishes, and five high schools: [[Catholic Central High School (Grand Rapids, Michigan)|Catholic Central High School]], Grand Rapids; [[Muskegon Catholic Central High School]], Muskegon; [[St. Patrick High School (Portland, Michigan)|St. Patrick High School]], Portland; Sacred Heart Academy, Grand Rapids; and [[West Catholic High School]], Grand Rapids.<ref name="facts">{{Cite news |publisher = [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids]] |title = Facts |url = http://www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org/bishop/facts.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090622070818/http://www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org/bishop/facts.html |archive-date = June 22, 2009 }}</ref> [[David John Walkowiak]] is the [[Bishop of Grand Rapids]]. The [[Reformed Church in America]] (RCA) has about 154 congregations and 76,000 members mainly in Western Michigan,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.thearda.com/denoms/D_934_d.asp |title = Reformed Church in America |department = Religious Groups |publisher = The Association of Religion Data Archives |access-date = August 20, 2017 |archive-date = October 4, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131004233743/http://www.thearda.com/denoms/D_934_d.asp |url-status = live }}</ref> heavily concentrated in the cities in Grand Rapids, Holland, and Zeeland. The denomination's main office is also in Grand Rapids.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.rca.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=3962 |title = Church Website Links: Great Lakes |publisher = RCA |access-date = September 24, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130828235119/https://www.rca.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=3962 |archive-date = August 28, 2013 }}</ref> The Grand Rapids-Wyoming metropolitan area has 86 congregations with almost 49,000 members. The [[Protestant Reformed Churches in America]] (PRCA) traces its roots to the [[First Protestant Reformed Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan)]] whose pastor was [[Herman Hoeksema]], the founder of the church.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.prca.org/about/introduction |title = A Brief Introduction to the PRCA |publisher = Prca.org |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-date = July 27, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170727195434/http://www.prca.org/about/introduction |url-status = live }}</ref> A majority of the PRCA's Classis East churches, about 13 congregations, are around Grand Rapids.<ref name="thearda.com">{{cite web |url = http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/m/24340/rcms2010_24340_metro_name_2010.asp |publisher = The Association of Religion Data Archives |title = Maps & Reports |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-date = June 27, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170627135353/http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/m/24340/rcms2010_24340_metro_name_2010.asp |url-status = live }}</ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.prca.org/component/jdownloads/finish/11/322?Itemid= |title = Downloads |year = 2016 |publisher = Prca.org |access-date = August 20, 2017 |archive-date = September 11, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170911085852/http://www.prca.org/component/jdownloads/finish/11/322?Itemid= |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.prca.org/about/listings/churches |title = Listing of PRC Churches |publisher = Prca.org |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-date = August 16, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170816124822/http://www.prca.org/about/listings/churches |url-status = live }}</ref> [[File:Downtown Grand Rapids from the air, Grand Rapids, Michigan (64103).jpg|alt=Grand Rapids aerial view in the 1930s|left|thumb|Grand Rapids aerial view in the 1930s]] The [[United Reformed Churches in North America]] has 12 congregations in Grand Rapids area; these congregations form the Classis of Michigan.<ref>{{cite web |title = Directory |url = https://www.service-life.com/sysfiles/member/family/urcna_report.cfm?memberid=303&public=1 |access-date = May 15, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140101064608/http://www.service-life.com/sysfiles/member/family/urcna_report.cfm?memberid=303&public=1 |archive-date = January 1, 2014 }}</ref> The Heritage Reformed Congregations' flagship and largest church is in Grand Rapids. The Netherlands Reformed Congregations in North America has 2 churches.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1314_d.asp |title = Netherlands Reformed Congregations- |department = Religious Groups |publisher = The Association of Religion Data Archives |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-date = June 27, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170627133031/http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1314_d.asp |url-status = live }}</ref> The [[PC(USA)]] had 12 congregations and 7,000 members in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming Metropolitan statistical area, the [[United Church of Christ]] had also 14 congregations and 5,400 members.<ref name="thearda.com" /> The offices of the former [[West Michigan Annual Conference]] of the [[United Methodist Church]] were in the East Hills Neighborhood of Grand Rapids. The West Michigan Annual Conference represented more than 400 local United Methodist churches in the western half of the lower peninsula with approximately 65,000 members in total.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://westmichiganconference.org/pages/detail/587 |title = About Us |publisher = West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church |access-date = August 21, 2017 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140412104313/http://westmichiganconference.org/pages/detail/587 |archive-date = April 12, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2016, The West Michigan Conference Joined with the Detroit Annual Conference to form the Michigan Area Annual Conference. Grand Rapids is also home to the United Methodist Community House, whose mission is to increase the ability of children, youth, adults and families to succeed in a diverse community.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.umchousegr.org/about.html |title = About Us |publisher = United Methodist Community House |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131207024405/http://umchousegr.org/about.html |archive-date = December 7, 2013 }}</ref> In 2010, The United Methodist Church had 61 congregations and 21,450 members in the Grand Rapids Metropolitan area.<ref name="thearda.com" /> ===Crime=== The homicide rate in Grand Rapids was at its highest in the early 1990s, with the highest number of homicides being 34 in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |date = July 18, 2020 |title = Grand Rapids' 19 homicides so far in 2020: Where, when and how they happened |url = https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2020/07/grand-rapids-19-homicides-so-far-in-2020-where-when-and-how-they-happened.html |access-date = July 29, 2020 |website = MLive |language = en |archive-date = July 27, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200727211149/https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2020/07/grand-rapids-19-homicides-so-far-in-2020-where-when-and-how-they-happened.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date = April 22, 2008 |title = Shooting death of Grand Rapids girl, 8, unforgotten and unsolved 15 years later |url = https://www.mlive.com/grpress/2008/04/family_marks_shooting_death_of.html |access-date = July 29, 2020 |website = [[The Grand Rapids Press]] |language = en |archive-date = December 5, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201205062629/https://www.mlive.com/grpress/2008/04/family_marks_shooting_death_of.html |url-status = live }}</ref> The average annual number of homicides in Grand Rapids between 2010 and 2020 was 12.4.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |date = January 2, 2020 |title = Homicides increase in 2019 for Grand Rapids, Kent County |url = https://www.mlive.com/news/j66j-2020/01/36d87ecd8f5132/homicides-increase-in-2019-for-grand-rapids-kent-county.html |access-date = July 29, 2020 |website = MLive |language = en |archive-date = July 24, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200724105838/https://www.mlive.com/news/j66j-2020/01/36d87ecd8f5132/homicides-increase-in-2019-for-grand-rapids-kent-county.html |url-status = live }}</ref> In 2014, Grand Rapids experienced the lowest homicide rate in fifty years, with six murders occurring that year.<ref>{{Cite web |date = January 14, 2015 |title = Six homicides in 2014 brings Grand Rapids to lowest figure in decades |url = https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2015/01/six_homicides_in_2014_puts_gra.html |access-date = July 29, 2020 |website = MLive |language = en |archive-date = November 25, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201125141625/https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2015/01/six_homicides_in_2014_puts_gra.html |url-status = live }}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |date = March 12, 2021 |title = Mourning most violent year, West Michigan seeks answers |url = https://www.woodtv.com/news/target-8/mourning-most-violent-year-west-michigan-seeks-answers/ |access-date = September 30, 2021 |website = WOODTV.com |language = en-US |archive-date = September 30, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210930193234/https://www.woodtv.com/news/target-8/mourning-most-violent-year-west-michigan-seeks-answers/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date = January 27, 2022 |title = Surge in auto thefts hits Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, where nearly 2 cars stolen per day |url = https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2022/01/surge-in-auto-thefts-hits-grand-rapids-and-kalamazoo-where-nearly-2-cars-stolen-per-day.html |access-date = January 28, 2022 |website = MLive |language = en |archive-date = January 27, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220127122631/https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2022/01/surge-in-auto-thefts-hits-grand-rapids-and-kalamazoo-where-nearly-2-cars-stolen-per-day.html |url-status = live }}</ref> ==Economy== {{Further|List of Michigan companies}} {| class="toc" style="float:right; font-size:90%; text-align:center; margin:1em;" |- | colspan="6" style="background:tan;" |'''Top Employers in Grand Rapids Metro (2019)''' <small>Source: [https://rightplace.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/uploads/downloads/public-resources/West-Michigan-Largest-Employers-2020.pdf The Right Place]</small> |- style="background:#ccc;" ||'''Rank'''|| style="background:#ccc;" |'''Company/Organization'''|| style="background:#ccc;" |'''#''' |- | 1 |[[Spectrum Health]] |25,000 |- | 2 |[[Meijer]] |10,340 |- | 3 |[[Mercy Health (Michigan)|Mercy Health]] |8,500 |- | 4 |[[Gentex (automotive manufacturer)|Gentex]] |5,800 |- | 5 |[[Gordon Food Service]] |5,000 |- | 6 |[[Amway Corporation]] |3,791 |- | 7 |[[Herman Miller (manufacturer)|Herman Miller]] |3,621 |- | 8 |[[Perrigo Company]] |3,500 |- | 9 |[[Steelcase Inc.]] |3,500 |- | 10 |[[Farmers Insurance Group]] |3,500 |- | 11 |[[Grand Valley State University]] |3,306 |- |12 |Lacks Enterprises |3,000 |- |13 |[[Grand Rapids Public Schools]] |2,800 |- |14 |[[Arconic]] |2,350 |- |15 |[[Hope Network]] |2,162 |- | 16 |[[Metro Health Hospital]] |2,100 |- | 17 |Roskam Baking Co. |2,090 |- | 18 |[[Fifth Third Bank]] |2,280 |- | 19 |[[Haworth (company)|Haworth]] |2,000 |- | 20 |[[SpartanNash]] |2,000 |} [[File:Grand Rapids Medical Mile.jpg|thumb|A collection of Spectrum Health facilities and affiliates on the [[Grand Rapids Medical Mile|Medical Mile]].|alt=|left]] Headquartered in Grand Rapids, [[Beaumont Health|Corewell Health]] (formerly Spectrum Health) is West Michigan's largest employer, with over 60,000 staff and 11,500 physicians in 2023.<ref name="about">{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://corewellhealth.org/about |access-date=December 19, 2017 |publisher=Spectrum Health System |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017185635/https://corewellhealth.org/about |url-status=live }}</ref> Corewell Health's Meijer Heart Center, Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion, and [[Butterworth Hospital (Michigan)|Butterworth Hospital]], a [[level I trauma center]], are on the [[Grand Rapids Medical Mile]], which has world-class facilities that focus on the [[health science]]s. They include the [[Van Andel Institute#Van Andel Institute|Van Andel Research Institute]], [[Grand Valley State University]]'s Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, and the [[Michigan State University College of Human Medicine]] medical school's Secchia Center, along with [[Ferris State University]]'s College of Pharmacy. Nearly a billion dollars has been invested in the Spectrum Health Cancer Pavilion, the Spectrum Health [[Helen DeVos Children's Hospital]], and the expansion to the Van Andel Institute. These facilities have attracted many health science businesses to the area. Grand Rapids has long been a center for manufacturing, dating back to its original roots in [[furniture]] manufacturing. Office furniture manufacturers such as [[American Seating]], [[Steelcase]] (and its subsidiaries [[Coalesse]] and [[Turnstone (company)|Turnstone]]), [[Haworth (company)|Haworth]], and [[Herman Miller (office equipment)|Herman Miller]] are based in and around the Grand Rapids area.<ref>{{cite web |title = The History of American Seating |url = http://www.americanseating.com/architectural/about/history |access-date = August 20, 2017 |publisher = American Seating |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821050927/http://www.americanseating.com/architectural/about/history |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Corporate Locations |url = https://www.steelcase.com/find-us/locations/corporate/ |access-date = August 20, 2017 |publisher = Steelcase |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821063642/https://www.steelcase.com/find-us/locations/corporate/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date = June 7, 2014 |title = Talking to Coalesse New Design Director John Hamilton |url = http://designapplause.com/events/fairs/talking-to-coalesse-new-design-director-john-hamilton-milan-2014/42054/ |access-date = August 20, 2017 |website = Design Applause |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821043930/http://designapplause.com/events/fairs/talking-to-coalesse-new-design-director-john-hamilton-milan-2014/42054/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1 = Scanlon |first1 = Jessie |date = January 2, 2016 |title = The Mini Cooper of Office Furniture |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2006-01-02/the-mini-cooper-of-office-furniture |access-date = August 20, 2017 |website = Bloomberg |archive-date = February 24, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170224052608/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2006-01-02/the-mini-cooper-of-office-furniture |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last = Knape |first = Chris |date = September 13, 2011 |title = Haworth Will Open Furniture Showroom in Downtown Grand Rapids |url = http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/09/haworth_will_open_furniture_sh.html |access-date = August 20, 2017 |website = MLive |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821045013/http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/09/haworth_will_open_furniture_sh.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last = Keith |first = Kelsey |date = July 22, 2016 |title = Company Town |url = http://www.curbed.com/2016/7/22/12251540/herman-miller-manufacturing-michigan |access-date = August 21, 2017 |website = Curbed |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821124802/https://www.curbed.com/2016/7/22/12251540/herman-miller-manufacturing-michigan |url-status = dead }}</ref> In 1881, the Furniture Manufacturers Association (FMA) was organized in Grand Rapids; making it the country's first furniture manufacturing advocacy group.<ref name="FMA">{{cite web |title = History of FMA |url = http://www.iserv.net/~plucas/grafma.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080725103533/http://www.iserv.net/~plucas/grafma.htm |archive-date = July 25, 2008 |access-date = August 20, 2007 |publisher = Furniture Manufacturers Association }}</ref> The Kindel Furniture Company<ref name="KF">{{cite web |year = 2009 |title = Kindel History |url = http://www.kindelfurniture.com/history/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110713151046/http://www.kindelfurniture.com/history/ |archive-date = July 13, 2011 |access-date = January 14, 2010 |publisher = Kindel Furniture }}</ref> and the [[Howard Miller Clock Company|Hekman Furniture Company]]<ref name="hekman">{{cite web |year = 2007 |title = Hekman History |url = http://www.hekman.com/Info/About/Hekman.aspx |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071210073707/http://www.hekman.com/Info/About/Hekman.aspx |archive-date = December 10, 2007 |access-date = December 10, 2007 |publisher = Hekman/Woodmark Furniture Company }}</ref> have been designing and manufacturing furniture in Grand Rapids since 1912 and 1922 respectively. The Grand Rapids area is also known for its [[automobile]] and [[aviation]] manufacturing industries, with [[GE Aviation Systems]] having a location in the city.<ref>{{cite web |date = January 31, 2013 |title = Grand Rapids Lands New Boeing Contract |url = http://fox17online.com/2013/01/31/grand-rapids-lands-new-boeing-contract/ |access-date = August 21, 2017 |website = Fox 17 West Michigan |publisher = [[WXMI-TV]] |location = Grand Rapids |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821043534/http://fox17online.com/2013/01/31/grand-rapids-lands-new-boeing-contract/ |url-status = live }}</ref> The Grand Rapids area is home to a number of well-known companies including [[Alticor]]/[[Amway]] (a [[multi-level marketing]] company), [[Bissell]] (a privately owned vacuum cleaner and floor care product manufacturer), [[SpartanNash]] (a food distributor and grocery store chain), [[Farmers Insurance Group|Foremost Insurance Company]] (a specialty lines insurance company), [[Meijer]] (a regional [[supercenter]] chain), GE Aviation (formerly [[Smiths Industries]], an [[aerospace]] products company), [[Wolverine World Wide]] (a designer and manufacturer of shoes, boots and clothing), [[Universal Forest Products]] (a building materials company), and [[Schuler Books & Music]], one of the country's largest independent bookstores.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} The city is known as a center of Christian publishing, home to [[Zondervan]], [[Kregel Publications]], [[William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company|Eerdmans Publishing]] and [[Our Daily Bread Ministries]]. The city and its surrounding region house a successful food processing and agribusiness industry, which experienced a 10-year job growth rate of 45% from 2009 to 2019. The [[Grand Rapids Downtown Market]], opened in 2013, provides food education services, entrepreneurship guidance and serves as a [[farmers market]]. With Michigan being the second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation, the Greater Grand Rapids region is well known for its fruit production. Due to its proximity to [[Lake Michigan]], the climate is considered especially prime for apple, peach, and blueberry farming. Greater Grand Rapids produces 1/3 of Michigan's total agricultural sales. ==Arts and culture== [[File:Grand Rapids Independence Day 2016.jpg|300px|thumb|right|2016 [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] celebration on the Grand River.]] In 1969, [[Alexander Calder]]'s abstract sculpture, ''[[La Grande Vitesse]]'', which translates from [[French language|French]] as "the great swiftness" or more loosely as "grand rapids," was installed downtown on Vandenberg Plaza, the redesigned setting of Grand Rapids City Hall.<ref name="SculpturesitesGR.org">{{cite web |date = June 14, 1969 |title = West Michigan Sculptures: Alexander Calder ''La Grande Vitesse'', 1969 |url = http://www.sculpturesitesgr.org/sculpture_detail.php?artwork_id=1&location=2 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081225103256/http://www.sculpturesitesgr.org/sculpture_detail.php?artwork_id=1&location=2 |archive-date = December 25, 2008 |access-date = December 3, 2009 |website = SculpturesitesGR.org }}</ref> It was the first work of public art in the United States funded by the [[National Endowment for the Arts]].<ref name="endow1">{{cite web |title = 40th Anniversary Highlights: 1967: Initial Public Art Project Becomes a Landmark |url = http://www.arts.endow.gov/about/40th/grandrapids.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091015091505/http://arts.endow.gov/about/40th/grandrapids.html |archive-date = October 15, 2009 |access-date = December 3, 2009 |publisher = [[National Endowment for the Arts]] }}</ref> The sculpture is informally known as "the Calder", and since its installation the city has hosted an annual ''[[Festival of the Arts (Grand Rapids)|Festival of the Arts]]'' in the area surrounding the sculpture, now known informally as "Calder Plaza".<ref name="SculpturesitesGR.org"/><ref name="festarts">{{cite web |title = About Festival of the Arts |url = http://www.festivalgr.org/about/ |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100524060656/http://www.festivalgr.org/about |archive-date = May 24, 2010 |access-date = August 21, 2017 |publisher = Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan }}</ref> During the first weekend in June, several blocks of downtown surrounding the [[Alexander Calder|Calder]] stabile in [[Arthur H. Vandenberg|Vandenberg]] Plaza are closed to traffic. The festival features several stages with free live performances, food booths selling a variety of ethnic cuisine, art demonstrations and sales, and other arts-related activities. Organizers bill it as the largest all-volunteer arts festival in the United States. Vandenberg Plaza also hosts various ethnic festivals throughout the summer season. Each October, the city celebrates Polish culture, historically based on the West side of town, with [[Pulaski Days]]. [[File:Grand Rapids Public Museum.jpg|300px|thumb|left|The [[Grand Rapids Public Museum]] stretches along the Grand River.]] In 1973, Grand Rapids hosted ''Sculpture off the Pedestal'', an outdoor exhibition of public sculpture, which assembled works by 13 world-renowned artists, including [[Mark di Suvero]], [[John Raymond Henry|John Henry]], [[Kenneth Snelson]], [[Robert Morris (artist)|Robert Morris]], [[John Mason (artist)|John Mason]], [[Lyman Kipp]], and [[Stephen Antonakos]], in a single, citywide celebration. ''Sculpture off the Pedestal'' was a public/private partnership, including financial support by the [[National Endowment for the Arts]], educational support from the Michigan Council for the Arts, and in-kind contributions from individuals, business, and industry. Fund-raising events, volunteers, and locals housing artists contributed to the public character of the event. From 1980 to 2015, [[Celebration on the Grand]] was held the weekend after [[Labor Day]], featuring free concerts, fireworks display and food booths. 'Celebration on the Grand' is an event that celebrates life in the Grand River valley. On November 10, 2004, the grand [[premiere]] of the film ''[[The Polar Express (film)|The Polar Express]]'' was held in Grand Rapids. It was adapted from the children's book by author and illustrator [[Chris Van Allsburg]], who lives in the city. His main character in the book (and movie) also lives in Grand Rapids, and the movie is briefly set in the city. The [[Meijer Gardens]] created a Polar Express display as part of their larger ''[[Frederik Meijer Gardens#Seasonal events|Christmas Around the World]]'' exhibit. In mid-2004, the [[Grand Rapids Art Museum]] (GRAM) began construction of a new, larger building for its collection; it opened in October 2007 at 101 Monroe Center NW. The new building site faces the sculpture ''Ecliptic,'' by [[Maya Lin]], at [[Rosa Parks Circle]]. The museum was completed in 2007. It was the first new art museum to achieve gold-level [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]] certification by the [[U.S. Green Building Council]]. [[ArtPrize]], the world's largest annual art competition determined by public voting, first took place in Grand Rapids from September 23 through October 10, 2009. This event was founded by Rick DeVos, grandson of Amway Corp. co-founder [[Richard DeVos]], who offered $449,000 in cash prizes. A total of 1,262 artists exhibited their work for two weeks, and a total of 334,219 votes were cast. First prize, including a $250,000 cash prize, went to Brooklyn painter Ran Ortner.<ref name="artprizehistory">{{cite web |title = History |url = https://www.artprize.org/history/story |access-date = August 21, 2017 |publisher = Artprize |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821045116/https://www.artprize.org/history/story |url-status = live }}</ref> ArtPrize 2010 was held September 22 through October 10, 2010, with work by 1,713 artists on display. The first prize was awarded to Grand Rapids artist [[Chris LaPorte]].<ref name="aboutartprize">{{cite web |title = About ArtPrize |url = http://www.artprize.org/about |access-date = August 21, 2017 |publisher = Artprize |archive-date = August 9, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170809095637/http://www.artprize.org/about |url-status = live }}</ref> [[File:Founders Brewing Company 2022.jpg|thumb|[[Founders Brewing Company]]]] ===Tourism=== [[File:Ford ford museum.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Gerald R. Ford Museum]], dedicated in 1981, is located downtown on the west bank of the Grand River. [[President Ford]] and First Lady [[Betty Ford]] are buried on the museum's grounds.]] Grand Rapids is the home of [[John Ball Zoological Garden]], [[Belknap Hill]], and the [[Gerald R. Ford Museum]]. He and former First Lady Betty Ford were buried on the site. Significant buildings in the downtown include the [[DeVos Place Convention Center]], [[Van Andel Arena]], the [[Amway Grand Plaza Hotel]], and the [[JW Marriott Grand Rapids|JW Marriott Hotel]]. The [[Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts]] is downtown, and houses art exhibits, a movie theater, and the urban clay studio.<ref>{{cite web |title = UICA |url = http://www.uica.org/ |access-date = August 20, 2017 |publisher = Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts |archive-date = March 30, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150330062132/http://www.uica.org/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> Along the [[Grand River (Michigan)|Grand River]] are reconstructed earthwork [[burial mounds]], which were constructed by the prehistoric [[Hopewell culture|Hopewell tribe]]; a [[fish ladder]], and a riverwalk. Grand Rapids is home to the [[Public Museum of Grand Rapids|Van Andel Museum Center]]. Founded in 1854, it is among the oldest history museums in the United States. The museum's sites include its main building, constructed in 1994 on the west bank of the [[Grand River (Michigan)|Grand River]] (home to the [[Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium]]); the Voigt House Victorian Museum, and the City Archives and Records Center. The latter held the museum and planetarium before 1994. Since the late 20th century, the museum has hosted notable exhibitions, including one on the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]], and ''The Quest for Immortality: the Treasures of Ancient Egypt.'' A non-profit institution, it is owned and managed by the Public Museum of Grand Rapids Foundation.[[File:Voight House.jpg|thumb|An example of [[Châteauesque]] architecture in the [[Heritage Hill Historic District (Grand Rapids, Michigan)|Heritage Hill Historic District]], a neighborhood immediately east of downtown]] [[Heritage Hill Historic District (Grand Rapids, Michigan)|Heritage Hill]], a neighborhood directly east of downtown, is one of the largest urban historic districts in the country. The first "neighborhood" of Grand Rapids, its 1,300 homes date from 1848 and represent more than 60 architectural styles. Of particular significance is the [[Meyer May House]], a [[Prairie School|Prairie]]-style home [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] designed in 1908.<ref>{{cite news |last = Grass |first = Michael |date = September 23, 2015 |title = Unsolicited Advice: Forget Beer, Grand Rapids. It's Time to Trumpet Architecture, Too. |work = Route Fifty |publisher = [[Atlantic Media]] |location = Washington, DC |url = http://www.routefifty.com/2015/09/grand-rapids-architecture/121769/ |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-date = June 28, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170628182059/http://www.routefifty.com/2015/09/grand-rapids-architecture/121769/ |url-status = live }}</ref> It was commissioned by local merchant Meyer May, who operated a men's clothing store (May's of Michigan). The house is now owned and operated by [[Steelcase|Steelcase Corporation]]. Steelcase manufactured the furniture for the [[Johnson Wax Building]] in [[Racine, Wisconsin]], which was also designed by Wright and is recognized as a landmark building. Because of those ties, Steelcase purchased and restored the property in the 1980s. The restoration has been heralded as one of the most accurate and complete of any Wright restoration. The home is used by Steelcase for special events and is open to the public for tours. [[File:GRFORDSPACEStatue.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Space Statue at the [[Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum]] in Grand Rapids, Michigan]] Grand Rapids is home to many theaters and stages, including the newly reconstructed [[Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts|Civic Theatre]] (also known as the Meijer Majestic), the city's largest theater; DeVos Hall, and the convertible Van Andel Arena. Further east of downtown is the historic [[Wealthy Theatre]]. Studio 28, the first [[megaplex]] in the United States, is in Grand Rapids; it reopened in 1988 with a [[seating capacity]] of 6,000.<ref>{{cite web |year = 2009 |title = Jack Loeks' Studio 28 |url = http://cinematreasures.org/theater/7219/ |access-date = August 21, 2017 |website = Cinema Treasures |archive-date = April 5, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090405174806/http://cinematreasures.org/theater/7219 |url-status = live }}</ref> The megaplex ceased operations on November 23, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |date = November 27, 2009 |title = Studio 28 Theatre |url = http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/4197.html |access-date = August 21, 2017 |website = CinemaTour! |archive-date = December 2, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081202204209/http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/4197.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Brenzing |first1 = Bob |last2 = Ross |first2 = Peter |name-list-style = amp |date = November 14, 2008 |title = Studio 29 closing November 23rd |publisher = WZZM-TV |location = Walker, MI |url = http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=101472 |url-status = dead |access-date = January 14, 2010 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130419043408/http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=101472 |archive-date = April 19, 2013 }}</ref> The Grand Rapids company also owns many theaters around West Michigan. The [[Acrisure Amphitheater]], a planned outdoor venue with 12,000 seats, is expected to open in 2026.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Carlson |first=Kate |date=2023-08-25 |title=Amphitheater groundbreaking on track for spring 2024 as officials navigate moving parts |url=https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/amphitheater-groundbreaking-on-track-for-spring-2024-as-officials-navigate-moving-parts/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=[[Crain Communications]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Grand Rapids' prominent craft beer culture has continued to garner the city national and international recognition in recent years, making it a destination for increasing numbers of tourists. The city was awarded the nation's "Best Beer City" for the third year in a row in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-04 |title=Grand Rapids Named Nation's Best Beer City for the Third Year in a Row |url=https://www.experiencegr.com/media-articles/post/grand-rapids-named-nations-best-beer-city-for-the-third-year-in-a-row/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=www.experiencegr.com |language=en-us}}</ref> ===Entertainment and performing arts=== [[File:Wealthy Theatre Grand Rapids.jpg|thumb|[[Wealthy Theatre]]]] Grand Rapids has several popular concert venues in which numerous bands have performed, including 20 Monroe Live, the DAAC, the Intersection, DeVos Performance Hall, Van Andel Arena, Royce Auditorium in St. Cecilia Music Center, Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, The Pyramid Scheme, and the Deltaplex. The Schubert Male Chorus of Grand Rapids was founded by Henry C. Post on November 19, 1883; the chorus continues to perform a variety of music. The [[Grand Rapids Symphony]], founded in 1930, is the largest performing arts organization in Grand Rapids with a roster of about 50 full-time and 30 part-time musicians. In addition to its own concert series, the orchestra under music director [[Marcelo Lehninger]] accompanies productions by Grand Rapids Ballet and Opera Grand Rapids, presenting more than 400 performances a year.<ref name="Symphony">{{cite web |title = About the GRS |url = http://grsymphony.org/about |access-date = August 20, 2017 |publisher = The Grand Rapids Symphony |archive-date = November 24, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101124041754/http://grsymphony.org/about |url-status = live }}</ref> [[File:Grand Rapids Symphony - Marcelo Lehninger.jpg|left|thumb|[[Grand Rapids Symphony]] ]] The Grand Rapids Barbershop Chapter Great Lakes Chorus is an all-male ''[[a cappella]]'' [[barbershop music|barbershop]] harmony chorus, including quartets. It is one of the oldest chapters in the Barbershop Harmony Society (formally known as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, or SPEBSQSA). The Grand Rapids chapter organized on November 1, 1939, for quartet singers; it is credited for holding the first society-sanctioned quartet contest in the "Michigan District" (now Pioneer District) in March 1941. In 1944 the Grand Rapids Chapter is credited with having the first International Quartet champions, "The Harmony Halls." In 1947 the Great Lakes Chorus (then called the Grand Rapids Chorus) was founded. In 1953 the first International Chorus Competition was held, and the Great Lakes Chorus took First Place, the first "International Convention Championship Chorus", under the direction of Robert Weaver.<ref name="GLC">{{cite web |title = About/History |url = http://greatlakeschorus.org/about/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101218074657/http://greatlakeschorus.org/about/ |archive-date = December 18, 2010 |access-date = December 15, 2010 |publisher = Great Lakes Chorus }}</ref> The chorus is still very active as a non-profit singing for community, competition, and contracted performances. Grand Rapids Ballet Company was founded in 1971 and is one of Michigan's few professional ballet companies.<ref name="ballet">{{cite web |title = Crafted in Michigan: The Grand Rapids Ballet is en pointe |url = https://www.mlive.com/michigansbest/2020/08/crafted-in-michigan-the-grand-rapids-ballet-is-en-pointe.html |access-date = August 24, 2020 |work = MLive |archive-date = August 27, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200827204531/https://www.mlive.com/michigansbest/2020/08/crafted-in-michigan-the-grand-rapids-ballet-is-en-pointe.html |url-status = live }}</ref> The ballet company is on Ellsworth Avenue in the [[Heartside]] neighborhood, where it moved in 2000. In 2007, it expanded its facility by adding the LEED-certified Peter Wege Theater.<ref name=ballet/> Opera Grand Rapids, founded in 1966, is the state's longest-running professional company.<ref>{{cite web |date = September 10, 2010 |title = History |url = http://www.operagr.com/history.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101016075240/http://www.operagr.com/history.html |archive-date = October 16, 2010 |access-date = December 15, 2010 |publisher = Opera Grand Rapids }}</ref> In February 2010, the opera moved into a new facility in the Fulton Heights neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news |last = Kaczmarczyk |first = Jeffrey |date = February 16, 2010 |title = Opera Grand Rapids Begins Move-in at its $2.5 Million First Permanent Home |url = http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/02/opera_grand_rapids_begins_move.html |work = MLive |access-date = August 20, 2017 |archive-date = July 24, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170724002832/http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/02/opera_grand_rapids_begins_move.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Grand Rapids is also home to Art Prize, the largest art exposition in the U.S. Art Prize began in 2009 with the over 200,000 visitors and has since doubled the number of visitors it receives each year. Artprize receives many international visitors each year and is still growing with over 1,500 entries from 48 countries across 200+ venues in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title = The ArtPrize Story |url = https://www.artprize.org/history/story |access-date = April 10, 2017 |publisher = Artprize |archive-date = April 11, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170411055629/https://www.artprize.org/history/story |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = ArtPrize 2015 Has a Little More Art, and a Lot More International Artists |work = MLive |url = http://www.mlive.com/artprize/index.ssf/2015/06/artprize_2015_has_a_little_more_art_but_a_lot_more_international_artists.html |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821045050/http://www.mlive.com/artprize/index.ssf/2015/06/artprize_2015_has_a_little_more_art_but_a_lot_more_international_artists.html |url-status = live }}</ref> ==Sports== [[File:Grand Rapids October 2014 05 (Van Andel Arena).jpg|thumb|right|[[Van Andel Arena]], a popular sports venue in Grand Rapids.]] Grand Rapids is home to several professional and semi-professional sports teams. The [[West Michigan Whitecaps]] of the [[Midwest League]] play at [[LMCU Ballpark]] and won the Championship Series six times (1996, 1998, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2015) and had the best regular-season record six times (1997, 1998, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2017). The Whitecaps are the Class High A affiliate of the [[Detroit Tigers]]. The [[Grand Rapids Griffins]], an ice hockey team of the [[American Hockey League]], play at the [[Van Andel Arena]] and won the IHL [[Fred A. Huber Trophy]] in 2001, and were AHL [[Calder Cup]] Champions in the 2012–2013 and 2016–2017 seasons. The Griffins are the AHL affiliate of the [[Detroit Red Wings]]. [[Grand Rapids Gold]] is an [[NBA G League]] basketball team that plays at the [[Van Andel Arena]], with the team being an affiliate of the [[Denver Nuggets]]. The [[Grand Rapids Rise]] also play in the [[Van Andel Arena]], and are one of seven inaugural members of the [[Pro Volleyball Federation]], a professional women's indoor volleyball league. [[Midwest United FC]] is a [[United Women's Soccer]] soccer club that plays at [[Aquinas College (Michigan)|Aquinas College]] and won a national championship in the [[2017 United Women's Soccer season|2017 season]]. [[File:WestMichigan Whitecaps DSCN8265.JPG|left|thumb|[[LMCU Ballpark]], home of the [[West Michigan Whitecaps]]]] Former professional sports teams include the [[Grand Rapids Danger]], [[Grand Rapids Dragonfish]], [[Grand Rapids Cyclones]], [[Grand Rapids Rampage]], [[Grand Rapids Hoops]] ([[Grand Rapids Mackers]]), [[Grand Rapids FC]], [[Grand Rapids Flight]], [[Grand Rapids Owls (1977–80)]], [[Grand Rapids Rockets]], [[Grand Rapids Chicks]], [[Grand Rapids Blazers]] and the [[Grand Rapids Shamrocks]]. The Grand Rapids Blazers won the [[United Football League (1961–64)|United Football League]] Championship in 1961. Each year the [[Amway River Bank Run]] is held in downtown Grand Rapids. It draws participants from around the world; in 2010 there were over 22,000 participants. The [[Grand Rapids Marathon]] is held in downtown Grand Rapids in mid-October, usually on the same weekend as the [[Detroit Free Press Marathon|Detroit Marathon]]. [[Special Olympics]] Michigan launched a campaign in 2021 to build a publicly funded $20 million facility called the Unified Sports and Inclusion Center that is destined to be the largest Special Olympics facility in the world.<ref>{{Cite news |last = Watson |first = Rachel |date = June 25, 2021 |title = Special Olympics Michigan launches $20M public capital campaign |url = https://grbj.com/news/nonprofits/special-olympics-michigan-launches-20m-public-capital-campaign/ |access-date = September 1, 2021 |website = [[Grand Rapids Business Journal]] |language = en-US |archive-date = September 1, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210901014302/https://grbj.com/news/nonprofits/special-olympics-michigan-launches-20m-public-capital-campaign/ |url-status = live }}</ref> Amateur sporting organizations in the area include Grand Raggidy Roller Derby WFTDA league, Grand Rapids Rowing Association,<ref name="GRRA">{{cite web |title = Grand Rapids Rowing Association |url = http://www.grrowing.org/ |access-date = June 8, 2010 |publisher = Grand Rapids Rowing Association |archive-date = June 26, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100626125306/http://www.grrowing.org/ |url-status = live }}</ref> Grand Rapids Rugby Club,<ref name="grrc">{{cite web |title = Grand Rapids Rugby Club |url = http://grandrapidsrugby.com/ |access-date = August 21, 2017 |publisher = Grand Rapids Rugby Club |archive-date = August 31, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170831152454/http://grandrapidsrugby.com/ |url-status = live }}</ref> and the West Michigan Wheelchair Sports Association.<ref name="grwcsa">{{cite web |title = Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association |url = http://www.nchpad.org/Directories/Organizations/2590/Grand~Rapids~Wheelchair~Sports~Association |access-date = August 20, 2017 |publisher = Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821045059/http://www.nchpad.org/Directories/Organizations/2590/Grand~Rapids~Wheelchair~Sports~Association |url-status = live }}</ref> The West Michigan Sports Commission was the host organizing committee for the inaugural State Games of Michigan, held in Grand Rapids from June 25 to 27, 2010.<ref name="sgom">{{cite web |title = State Games of Michigan |url = http://www.stategamesofmichigan.com/ |access-date = August 20, 2017 |publisher = State Games of Michigan |archive-date = August 20, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170820180849/http://stategamesofmichigan.com/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Kaminski">{{cite news |last = Kaminski |first = Steve |date = May 21, 2010 |title = Kentwood's Mike Knuble Among Olympians to Be Honored at State Games of Michigan |work = The Grand Rapids Press |url = http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/05/kentwoods_mike_knuble_among_ol.html |access-date = June 8, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110522081411/http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/05/kentwoods_mike_knuble_among_ol.html |archive-date = May 22, 2011 }}</ref> ==Government== [[File:Calder Plaza, Grand Rapids City Hall.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Calder Plaza, where the Grand Rapids City Hall is located.]] Under Michigan law, Grand Rapids is a [[Home Rule Cities Act (Michigan)|home rule city]] and adopted a city charter in 1916 providing for the [[Council–manager government|council-manager]] form of [[municipal government]].<ref name="GRgi"/><ref name=grp>{{cite news |last1 = Biolchini |first1 = Amy |title = Grand Rapids mayor leaves full-time job in search of work-life balance |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/10/grand_rapids_mayor_leaves_full.html |access-date = October 3, 2017 |work = Grand Rapids Press |date = October 3, 2017 |archive-date = October 4, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085259/http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/10/grand_rapids_mayor_leaves_full.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Under this system, the political responsibilities are divided between an elected City Commission, an elected City Comptroller and a hired full-time City Manager. Two part-time Commissioners are elected to four-year terms from each of three wards, with half of these seats up for election every two years. The races—held in odd-numbered years—are formally non-partisan, although the party and other political affiliations of candidates do sometimes come up during the campaign period. The Commission sets policy for the city, and is responsible for hiring the City Manager and other appointed officials. The elected City Comptroller verifies financial policies and budgets are followed and prepares the annual financial report.<ref name="GRgi">{{cite web |url = http://grcity.us/city-manager/Pages/Government-Information.aspx |title = Government Information |publisher = City of Grand Rapids |access-date = August 20, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821043320/http://grcity.us/city-manager/Pages/Government-Information.aspx |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The city levies an income tax of 1.5 percent on residents and 0.75 percent on nonresidents.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Gibbons |first1 = Lauren |title = Michigan State University, city of East Lansing at odds over proposed income tax |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/michigan_state_university_city.html |access-date = August 21, 2017 |work = MLive Lansing |date = August 16, 2017 |archive-date = August 16, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170816232814/http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/michigan_state_university_city.html |url-status = live }}</ref> ===Mayor=== {{See also|List of mayors of Grand Rapids, Michigan}} The part-time mayor is elected every four years by the city at large and serves as chair of the commission, with a vote equal to a commissioner.<ref name="GRgi"/> In 2014, a [[term limits|limit of two terms]] was approved.<ref name=termlimits>{{cite news |last1 = Vande Bunte |first1 = Matt |date = November 4, 2014 |title = Term Limits Pass in Grand Rapids: Mayor, 4 Commissioners Suddenly Lame Ducks |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/11/term_limits_grand_rapids.html |work = MLive |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-date = July 24, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170724003632/http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/11/term_limits_grand_rapids.html |url-status = live }}</ref> ===Politics=== The city proper and inner-suburbs favor the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], while outer-suburbs of Grand Rapids tend to support the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].<ref name=NYT2019>{{cite news |last1 = Tavernise |first1 = Sabrina |last2 = Gebeloff |first2 = Robert |last3 = Lee |first3 = Christopher |title = Are the Suburbs Turning Democratic? |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/25/us/democrats-republicans-suburbs.html |access-date = January 23, 2020 |work = [[The New York Times]] |date = October 25, 2019 |archive-date = January 25, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200125135417/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/25/us/democrats-republicans-suburbs.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="APpoli">{{cite news |last1 = Burnett |first1 = Sara |last2 = Eggert |first2 = David |title = Trump's return to west Michigan comes amid Democratic gains |url = https://apnews.com/cead64248f604d66ba75c2f441e5f262 |access-date = January 23, 2020 |work = [[Associated Press]] |date = March 28, 2019 |archive-date = January 25, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200125135417/https://apnews.com/cead64248f604d66ba75c2f441e5f262 |url-status = live }}</ref> Traditionally, Grand Rapids has supported the Republican Party.<ref name=NYT2019/><ref name="APpoli"/> The city is the center of the [[Michigan's 3rd congressional district|3rd Congressional District]], represented by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Hillary Scholten]].<ref>{{cite web|date= November 9, 2022|title= 'I am so ready': Democrat Hillary Scholten wins 3rd Congressional District|url= https://www.woodtv.com/news/elections/democrat-hillary-scholten-wins-3rd-congressional-district/amp/}}</ref> Former President [[Gerald Ford]] represented the district (then numbered as the 5th) from 1949 to 1973 and is buried on the grounds of his [[Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum|Presidential Museum]] in Grand Rapids. The city and its suburbs are home to several major donors to the national Republican Party, including the [[Rich DeVos|DeVos family]] and [[Peter F. Secchia|Peter Secchia]], former Ambassador to Italy.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} Both representatives in the [[Michigan State House of Representatives]] are Democrats, and the city's [[Michigan Senate|State Senate]] seat was taken by a Democrat in 2018. ==Education== [[File:Grand Rapids Public Library 2021.jpg|thumb|The Main Branch of the [[Grand Rapids Public Library]]; the [[Ryerson Library|Ryerson Building]], its oldest wing, opened in 1904]] [[K–12]] public education is provided by the [[Grand Rapids Public Schools]] (GRPS) as well as a number of [[charter schools]]. [[City High-Middle School]], a magnet school for academically talented students in the metropolitan region operated by GRPS.<ref>{{cite web |title = Rankings: Best High Schools |url = https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/michigan/districts/grand-rapids-public-schools/city-high-middle-school-9981 |access-date = July 30, 2019 |website = U.S. News & World Report |archive-date = June 13, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190613213407/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/michigan/districts/grand-rapids-public-schools/city-high-middle-school-9981 |url-status = live }}</ref> Grand Rapids is also home to the oldest co-educational Catholic high school in the United States, [[Catholic Central High School (Grand Rapids, Michigan)|Catholic Central High School]].<ref name="psr">{{cite web |title = Catholic Central High School |url = http://www.privateschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/13817 |access-date = August 21, 2017 |publisher = Private School Review |archive-date = May 10, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150510100634/http://www.privateschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/13817 |url-status = live }}</ref> [[National Heritage Academies]], which operates charter schools across several states, has its headquarters in Grand Rapids.<ref>[https://www.nhaschools.com Home page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020125192252/http://www.nhaschools.com/ |date=January 25, 2002 }}. [[National Heritage Academies]]. Retrieved on November 27, 2011. "Find Us 3850 Broadmoor Ave SE, Suite 201 Grand Rapids, MI 49512"</ref> Grand Rapids is home to several colleges and universities. The private, religious schools: [[Aquinas College Grand Rapids|Aquinas College]], [[Calvin University]], [[Cornerstone University]], [[Grace Christian University]], and [[Kuyper College]], each have a campus within the city. The seminaries [[Calvin Theological Seminary]], [[Grand Rapids Theological Seminary]], and [[Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary]] are in Grand Rapids. [[Thomas M. Cooley Law School]], a private institution, also has a campus in Grand Rapids. [[Northwood University]], a private university with its main campus in [[Midland, Michigan]], has a satellite campus downtown near the "medical mile." [[Davenport University]], a private, non-profit, multi-location university with 14 campuses statewide, has its main campus just outside Grand Rapids. As for public [[tertiary institution]]s, [[Grand Rapids Community College]] (GRCC) maintains a campus downtown and facilities in other parts of the city and surrounding region. [[File:GVSU Cook Devos.jpg|thumb|left|The Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, on Grand Rapids' "Medical Mile," is part of [[Grand Valley State University]]'s Pew Grand Rapids campus<ref name="campus">{{cite web |title = GVSU Campuses |url = http://www.gvsu.edu/campus.htm |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101006220108/http://gvsu.edu/campus.htm |archive-date = October 6, 2010 |access-date = October 2, 2010 |publisher = Grand Valley State University }}</ref>]] [[Grand Valley State University]], with its main campus in nearby [[Allendale, Michigan|Allendale]], continues to develop its presence downtown by expanding its Pew Campus, begun in the 1980s on the west bank of the Grand River.<ref name="campus" /> This downtown campus comprises {{convert|67|acres|0|abbr=on}} in two locations and is home to 12 buildings and three leased spaces.<ref>{{cite web |title = About Grand Valley: The Campuses |url = http://catalog.gvsu.edu/content.php?catoid=40&navoid=1530#Pew |access-date = August 21, 2017 |publisher = Grand Valley State University |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821083858/http://catalog.gvsu.edu/content.php?catoid=40&navoid=1530#Pew |url-status = dead }}</ref> Into the 2000s, Grand Valley State University expanded its medical education programs into Medical Mile, constructing various facilities such as the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Martinez |first = Shandra |date = January 4, 2016 |title = Billionaire Rich DeVos is GVSU's largest donor at $36M |url = https://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/2016/01/how_billionaire_rich_devos_acc.html |access-date = May 1, 2021 |website = MLive |language = en |archive-date = May 1, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210501203513/https://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/2016/01/how_billionaire_rich_devos_acc.html |url-status = live }}</ref> The university expanded across [[I-196]] from the Medical Mile into the [[Belknap Lookout]] neighborhood in the 2010s, constructing the Raleigh Finkelstein Hall to assist with medical and nursing studies.<ref>{{Cite web |date = July 16, 2018 |title = Grand Valley plans affordable housing project in Belknap Lookout |url = https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2018/07/grand_valley_plans_for_afforda.html |access-date = May 1, 2021 |website = MLive |language = en |archive-date = May 1, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210501203515/https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2018/07/grand_valley_plans_for_afforda.html |url-status = live }}</ref> [[Ferris State University]] has a growing campus downtown, including the Applied Technology Center (operated with GRCC) and the [[Kendall College of Art and Design]], a formerly private institution that now is part of Ferris. Ferris State also has a branch of the College of Pharmacy downtown on the medical mile. [[Western Michigan University]] has a long-standing graduate program in the city, with facilities downtown, and in the southeast. The Van Andel Institute, a cancer research institute established in 1996, also resides on the medical mile; the institute established a graduate school in 2005 to train Ph.D. students in cellular, genetic, and molecular biology.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} [[File:Calvin aerial.jpg|thumb|[[Calvin University]], a [[Christianity|Christian]] [[private university]]]] Grand Rapids is home to the Secchia Center medical education building, a $90 million, seven-story, {{convert|180000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility, at Michigan Street and Division Avenue, part of the [[Grand Rapids Medical Mile]]. The building is home to the Grand Rapids Campus of the [[Michigan State University]] College of Human Medicine. This campus trains medical students through all four years of their medical education. The state-of-the-art facility includes clinical examination rooms, simulation suites, classrooms, offices, and student areas.<ref name="http://news.msu.edu/story/8262/">{{cite news |last1 = Kelley |first1 = Geri |last2 = Cody |first2 = Jason |name-list-style = amp |date = September 10, 2010 |title = College of Human Medicine Trnasforms Medical Education with New Secchia Center |publisher = Michigan State University |url = http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2010/college-of-human-medicine-transforms-medical-education-with-new-secchia-center/ |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-date = June 10, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160610135157/http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2010/college-of-human-medicine-transforms-medical-education-with-new-secchia-center/ |url-status = live }}</ref> ==Media== {{Main|Media in Grand Rapids, Michigan}} The ''[[Grand Rapids Press]]'' is a daily newspaper, while [[Advance Newspapers]] publishes a group of weekly papers that provide community-based news. [[Gemini Media]] is a niche, regional publishing company that produces the weekly newspaper ''[[Grand Rapids Business Journal]]''; the magazines ''Grand Rapids Magazine'', ''Grand Rapids Family'' and ''Michigan Blue''; and several other quarterly and annual business-to-business publications. ''[[El Vocero Hispano]]'' publishes West Michigan's largest [[Spanish language]] newspaper for the Latino community.<ref name=":23">{{cite news |date=28 September 2022 |title=El Vocero newspaper serves Spanish speakers for decades |work=[[WOODTV]] |url=https://www.woodtv.com/hidden-history/hispanic-heritage-month/el-vocero-newspaper-serves-spanish-speakers-for-decades/ |access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref> Two free monthly entertainment guides are distributed: ''REVUE,''<ref>{{cite web |title = Revuewm.com |url = http://revuewm.com/ |access-date = August 21, 2017 |publisher = Revuewm.com |archive-date = August 22, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170822023204/http://revuewm.com/ |url-status = live }}</ref> which covers music and the arts, and ''RECOIL,'' which covers music and offers ''[[The Onion|Onion]]''-style satire. ''[[The Rapidian]]'' is an online-based citizen journalism project funded by grants from the [[Knight Foundation]] and local community foundations.<ref name="Rapidian">{{cite web |title = About |url = http://therapidian.org/about |access-date = October 1, 2010 |website = The Rapidian |archive-date = July 28, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110728100351/http://therapidian.org/about |url-status = live }}</ref> It is reprinted or cited by other local media outlets.<ref name="Rapidian Reprinted">{{cite web |title = The Rapidian Dev Blog |url = http://blog.therapidian.org/post/1216398132/grpress-first-citizen-journalists-chronicle |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110728100255/http://blog.therapidian.org/post/1216398132/grpress-first-citizen-journalists-chronicle |archive-date = July 28, 2011 |access-date = October 1, 2010 |website = GR Press First Citizen Journalist Chronicle }}</ref> Grand Rapids, combined with nearby Kalamazoo and [[Battle Creek, Michigan|Battle Creek]], was ranked in 2019 as the 45th-largest television market in the U.S. by [[Nielsen Media Research]].<ref name="Nielsen">{{cite web |year = 2019 |title = Local Television Market Universe Estimates |url = https://www.nielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/09/2019-20-dma-ranker.pdf |access-date = January 24, 2020 |publisher = [[Nielsen Media Research]] |archive-date = December 4, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201204203838/https://www.nielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/09/2019-20-dma-ranker.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref> The market is served by stations affiliated with major American networks including: [[WLLA]] (channel 64, Independent), [[WOOD-TV]] (channel 8, [[NBC]]), [[WOTV]] (channel 41, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and [[The CW]] on DT2), [[WZZM-TV]] (channel 13, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]), [[WXMI]] (channel 17, [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]), [[WXSP-CD]] (channel 15, [[MyNetworkTV]]) and Kalamazoo-based [[WWMT]] (channel 3, [[CBS]]), along with surrounding stations based from Muskegon and Battle Creek. [[WGVU-TV]] is the area's [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] member station. The Grand Rapids area is served by 16 [[AM broadcasting|AM]] [[radio station]]s and 28 [[FM broadcasting|FM]] stations.<ref name="Radio">{{cite web |year = 2008 |title = Michigan: Radio Broadcasting Stations |url = http://radiostationworld.com/locations/United_States_of_America/Michigan/radio.asp?m=gra |access-date = August 21, 2017 |website = RadioStationWorld |archive-date = January 29, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160129022345/http://radiostationworld.com/locations/United_States_of_America/Michigan/radio.asp?m=gra |url-status = live }}</ref> ==Infrastructure== === Law enforcement === [[File:Crime in Grand Rapids, Michigan.png|right|frameless]] The [[Grand Rapids Police Department]] was established in 1871.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title = Police Department |url = https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Police-Department |access-date = July 12, 2019 |website = grcity.us |language = en-us |archive-date = May 9, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190509181011/https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Police-Department |url-status = live }}</ref> The police dispatch service was consolidated with the [[Wyoming Police Department]] in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date = January 2, 2011 |title = Calling all cities: Consolidating services may not work, but cash strapped local governments will try it |url = https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2011/01/calling_all_cities_consolidati.html |access-date = July 29, 2020 |website = MLive |language = en |archive-date = December 5, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201205060307/https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2011/01/calling_all_cities_consolidati.html |url-status = live }}</ref> ===Transportation=== ====Air transportation==== Grand Rapids was home to one of the first regularly scheduled passenger airlines in the United States when [[Stout Air Services]] began flights from the old Grand Rapids airport to [[Detroit]] ([[Ford Airport (Dearborn)|Ford Airport]] in [[Dearborn, Michigan]]), on July 31, 1926.<ref name="airhistory">{{cite web |url = http://www.grr.org/History.php |title = History |publisher = Gerald R. Ford International Airport |access-date = March 6, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091130012146/http://www.grr.org/History.php |archive-date = November 30, 2009 }}</ref> ====Major highways==== [[File:Grand Rapids aerial view.jpg|thumb|Grand Rapids]] {{jct|state=MI|I|96}} runs along the northern and northeastern sides of the city, linking with [[Muskegon, Michigan|Muskegon]] to the west and [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]] and [[Detroit]] to the east<br /> {{jct|state=MI|I|196}}, also named the Gerald R. Ford Freeway, runs east–west through the city, connecting to I-96 just east of Grand Rapids and I-94 in Benton Township<br /> {{jct|state=MI|I|296}}, an unsigned route running concurrently with US 131 between I-96 and I-196<br /> {{jct|state=MI|US|131}} runs north–south through the city, linking with [[Kalamazoo, Michigan|Kalamazoo]] to the south and [[Cadillac, Michigan|Cadillac]] to the north<br /> {{jct|state=MI|M|6}} is the [[Paul B. Henry]] Freeway running along the south side connecting I-96 and I-196<br /> {{jct|state=MI|M|11}} runs along Ironwood/Remembrance Road, Wilson Avenue, and 28th Street<br /> {{jct|state=MI|M|21}} is Fulton Street to the east<br /> {{jct|state=MI|M|37}} follows Alpine Avenue to the north, I-96, East Beltline Avenue and Broadmoor Avenue to the south<br /> {{jct|state=MI|M|44}} is East Beltline north of I-96<br /> {{jct|state=MI|M-Conn|44}} runs along Plainfield Avenue<br /> {{jct|state=MI|M|45}} follows Lake Michigan Drive west toward [[Allendale, Michigan|Allendale]] and [[Lake Michigan]]<br /> {{jct|state=MI|CDH|A-45|county=Kent}} is Old US 131 south of 28th Street ===Mass transit=== ====Bus==== [[File:Rapid SilverLine.jpg|thumb|[[Silver Line (Grand Rapids)|SilverLine]] [[Bus rapid transit|BRT]] bus at the [[Rapid Central Station]]]] The [[Interurban Transit Partnership]], which brands itself as ''The Rapid'', provides public bus transportation. Transportation is also provided by the DASH buses: the "Downtown Area Shuttle." DASH bus rides are free.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ridetherapid.org/additional-services/DASH | title=DASH | access-date=November 19, 2022 | archive-date=November 19, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119060358/https://www.ridetherapid.org/additional-services/DASH | url-status=live }}</ref> These provide transportation to and from the parking lots in the city of Grand Rapids to designated loading and unloading spots around the city. The area's Greyhound Bus terminal is integrated into the Central Station of the Rapid, simplifying transfers between Greyhound and local buses. [[Indian Trails]] provides daily intercity bus service of varying frequencies between Grand Rapids and [[Petoskey, Michigan]],<ref>{{cite web |title = Grand Rapids-Cadillac-Traverse City-Petoskey |publisher = Mota Online |date = January 15, 2013 |access-date = March 9, 2013 |url = http://motaonline.net/page45.php?SessionID=d9b87a0593ba6ad7557e |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170821050422/http://motaonline.net/page45.php?SessionID=d9b87a0593ba6ad7557e |archive-date = August 21, 2017 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref> between Grand Rapids and [[Benton Harbor, Michigan]],<ref>{{cite web |title = Grand Rapids-Benton Harbor-Chicago |publisher = [[Indian Trails]] |date = November 11, 2012 |access-date = March 9, 2013 |url = http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1486.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140717043807/http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1486.pdf |archive-date = July 17, 2014 }}</ref> and between Grand Rapids and [[Kalamazoo, Michigan]]<ref>{{cite web |title = Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo |publisher = Indian Trails |date = November 11, 2012 |access-date = March 9, 2013 |url = http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1487.pdf }} {{dead link|date=June 2015}}</ref> with intermediate stops. In August 2014, the [[Silver Line (Grand Rapids)|SilverLine]] opened, Michigan's first [[bus rapid transit]] line, an express bus line designed to function like a light rail system.<ref>{{cite web |title = 6 Reasons Grand Rapids Earned a Place on the Great Transit Map |publisher = nextcity.com |url = http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/grand-rapids-good-transit-lessons |first = Rachel |last = Dovey |date = October 31, 2014 |access-date = November 15, 2014 |archive-date = November 9, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141109135038/http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/grand-rapids-good-transit-lessons |url-status = live }}</ref> There are plans in the works to add more express routes, secondary stations, a streetcar and dedicated (exclusive) highway lanes.<ref>[http://rapidtmp.org/includes/modules/base/controllers/assets/fileDownload.php?file=1279822831_Transit+Master+Plan+Final+Report_071210.pdf&r=%2Fpeoples_plan "Transit Master Plan Final Report"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025100050/http://rapidtmp.org/includes/modules/base/controllers/assets/fileDownload.php?file=1279822831_Transit%20Master%20Plan%20Final%20Report_071210.pdf&r=%2Fpeoples_plan |date=October 25, 2012 }} Chapter 6: Development of Future 2030 Planning Scenarios, p. 30 – 32.</ref> ====Air==== Commercial air service to Grand Rapids is provided by [[Gerald R. Ford International Airport]] (GRR). Eight passenger airlines and two cargo airlines operate over 150 daily flights to 34 nonstop destinations across the United States. International service was formerly operated to Toronto, Canada by Air Canada Express. The airport was formerly named Kent County International Airport before gaining its present name in 1999.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}} The first regularly scheduled air service in the United States was between Grand Rapids and Detroit (actually Dearborn's Ford Airport) on a Ford-Stout monoplane named Miss Grand Rapids, which began on July 26, 1926. [[Delta Air Lines]] continues to operate this route today to their hub at [[Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport]] (DTW).{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}} ====Rail==== [[File:Amtrak Grand Rapids.jpg|thumb|[[Amtrak]] train at Grand Rapids station]] [[Amtrak]] provides direct train service to [[Chicago]] from the [[Grand Rapids (Amtrak station)|passenger station]] via the ''[[Pere Marquette (Amtrak train)|Pere Marquette]]'' line.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.gvmc.org/newsupdates/pere_marquette.shtml |title = Pere Marquette |publisher = Grand Valley Metropolitan Council |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170712090221/http://www.gvmc.org/newsupdates/pere_marquette.shtml |archive-date = July 12, 2017 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="PMHS">{{cite web |url = http://www.pmhistsoc.org/diffpms.shtml |title = Who or What Are All Those 'Pere Marquettes'? |publisher = Pere Marquette Historical Society |access-date = August 20, 2017 |archive-date = March 19, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220319074924/http://www.pmhistsoc.org/diffpms.shtml |url-status = live }}</ref> Freight service is provided by [[CSX]], the [[Grand Elk Railroad]], [[Marquette Rail]], and the [[Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad]]. ==Sister cities== Grand Rapids' [[Sister city|sister cities]] are:<ref>{{cite web |title = Grand Rapids Sister Cities International |url = https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Programs-and-Initiatives/Grand-Rapids-Sister-Cities-International |publisher = City of Grand Rapids |access-date = April 11, 2022 |archive-date = April 20, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220420011043/https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Programs-and-Initiatives/Grand-Rapids-Sister-Cities-International |url-status = live }}</ref> * {{flagicon|POL}} [[Bielsko-Biała]], Poland * {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Ga East Municipal District|Ga East]] and [[Ga West Municipal District|West District]], Ghana * {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Gangnam-gu]], South Korea * {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Ōmihachiman]], Japan * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Perugia]], Italy * {{flagicon|MEX}} [[Zapopan]], Mexico ==See also== {{Portal|Michigan}} * [[List of people from Grand Rapids, Michigan]] * [[Michigan census statistical areas]] == Notes== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== {{refbegin}} * {{cite journal | last=Bratt | first=Peter A. | title=Renewing a Grand Center: Postwar Planning in Grand Rapids, Michigan: 1949 to 1959 | journal=Michigan Historical Review | volume=36 | issue=2 | year=2010 | issn=2327-9672 | doi=10.1353/mhr.2010.0034 | pages=126–158 | ref={{sfnref | Project Muse | 2010}}}} Retrieved [https://muse.jhu.edu/article/778844/summary via Project Muse]. * {{cite book |last = Carron |first = Christian G. |title = Grand Rapids Furniture: The Story of America's Furniture City |location = Grand Rapids, MI |publisher = Grand Rapids Public Museum |year = 1998 }} * {{cite journal |last = Fernández |first = Delia |title = Becoming Latino: Mexican and Puerto Rican Community Formation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1926–1964 |journal = Michigan Historical Review |volume = 39 |date = Spring 2013 |pages = 71–100 |doi = 10.5342/michhistrevi.39.1.0071 }} * {{cite journal | last=Horowitz | first=Herschel S. | title=Grand Rapids: The Public Health Story | journal=Journal of Public Health Dentistry | publisher=Wiley | volume=49 | issue=1 | year=1989 | issn=0022-4006 | doi=10.1111/j.1752-7325.1989.tb02026.x | pages=62–63| pmid=2642968 }} * {{cite book |last = Jelks |first = Randal Maurice |title = African Americans in the Furniture City: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Grand Rapids |publisher =[[University of Illinois Press]] |year = 2006 }} * {{cite book | editor-last = Lewis | editor-first = Norma | date = 2008 | title = Grand Rapids: Furniture City | publisher = Arcadia Publishing | pages = | isbn = 978-0-7385-5200-2 | oclc = 228417444 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HYVyCSxaOJIC | access-date = June 2, 2022 | archive-date = September 17, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230917140440/https://books.google.com/books?id=HYVyCSxaOJIC | url-status = live }} * {{cite journal | last1=Lunn | first1=Mike | last2=Pasch | first2=Nicole | last3=Schiebold | first3=John | title=Collaborating for Success in Grand Rapids, Michigan | journal=Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation | publisher=Water Environment Federation | volume=2017 | issue=9 | date=2017-01-01 | issn=1938-6478 | doi=10.2175/193864717822157973 | pages=3590–3596}} * {{cite book | last=Olson | first=Gordon L. | title=A Grand Rapids sampler | publisher=Grand Rapids Historical Commission | publication-place=Grand Rapids, Mich. | date=1992 | isbn=0-9617708-3-X | oclc=26740168}} * {{cite book |last = Robinson |first = Todd E. |title = A City Within a City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan |location = Philadelphia |publisher = Temple University Press |year = 2013 }} * {{cite journal | last=Scott | first=David B. | title=Evolution of the Grand Rapids Water Flouridation Project | journal=Journal of Public Health Dentistry | publisher=Wiley | volume=49 | issue=1 | year=1989 | issn=0022-4006 | doi=10.1111/j.1752-7325.1989.tb02025.x | pages=59–61| pmid=2642967 }} {{refend}} ==External links== {{Commons category}} {{wikivoyage|Grand Rapids}} * {{Official website|http://www.grcity.us/ }} * [http://www.grandrapids.org/ Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce] {{Grand Rapids, Michigan}} {{Cities of Kent County, Michigan}} {{West Michigan}} {{Michigan}} {{All-American City Award Hall of Fame}} {{Midwestern United States}} {{Great Lakes Megalopolis}} {{Michigan county seats}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Grand Rapids, Michigan| ]] [[Category:Grand Rapids metropolitan area|.]] [[Category:1826 establishments in Michigan Territory]] [[Category:Cities in Kent County, Michigan]] [[Category:County seats in Michigan]] [[Category:Michigan Neighborhood Enterprise Zone]] 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