Big Rapids
Strong schools draw families here
37 homes for sale·Median $200K·Schools 6.6/10
Life here runs on a walkable grid where a grocery run, coffee, or dinner doesn't require a car—everything's within steps, though most people drive anyway because the place is small enough that nowhere feels far. The downtown sits dense enough that a handful of restaurants cluster within a mile, the community pool anchors one neighborhood, and Ferris State University shapes the rhythm: students cycle in and out, the hospital draws steady traffic, and rental properties are common enough that the turnover doesn't surprise anyone. Victorian homes from the 1890s sit alongside mid-century brick houses, some with original hardwood and pocket doors, others updated with new furnaces and stainless appliances—people tend to stay put if they land the right place. Mitchell Creek runs through, and there's trail access scattered around; the river splits the neighborhoods into east and west, each with its own quiet blocks where backyards are genuinely big and the pace doesn't rush. This is a place where you know the layout fast and the daily move—to work, to school, to the downtown shops—becomes routine within weeks.
Why people love it here
Riverview Elementary School
- Elementary — 0.6 mi away
- Big Rapids
- 5 rated schools in district
$40K median household income
- $200K median · 77 sales in last 12mo
Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Big Rapids
Estimated Monthly Payment
$1,357/mo
The interest rate shown is not an annual percentage rate (APR). Rate displayed is the current average 30-year fixed rate from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey and is subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Your actual rate, payment, and costs may vary. Contact a loan officer for a personalized quote.
Guild Mortgage NMLS #3274. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS Consumer Access
77 homes sold in Big Rapids this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthBased on 5 rated schools nearby
Range: 4/10 to 10/10
School District: Big Rapids Public Schools
In 2024, the most common reported offenses in Big Rapids were larceny / theft (1,255 per 100,000 residents) and aggravated assault (314 per 100,000 residents), per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting — with a comparison to similar-size Michigan cities below.
No homicides were reported in 2024.
| Offense type | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|
| Larceny / theft | 1,255 |
| Aggravated assault | 314 |
| Burglary | 138 |
| Rape | 75 |
| Motor-vehicle theft | 63 |
| Arson | 13 |
| Homicide | 0 |
| Robbery | 0 |
How Big Rapids compares to similar-size Michigan cities
| City | Population | Violent /100k | Property /100k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | 9,047 | 442 | 2,509 |
| Big Rapids | 7,971 | 389 | 1,468 |
| Ludington | 7,582 | 277 | 963 |
| Hastings | 7,509 | 400 | 1,199 |
| Rockford | 6,184 | 97 | 857 |
Reported offenses per 100,000 residents, Big Rapids Police Department, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024). Comparison cities are the nearest in population, ordered by size — not ranked by crime. Crime is reported at the jurisdiction level and varies block to block within any community.
To buy a median-priced Big Rapids home (around $199,900) at today's 6.43% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $34k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,269 (principal, interest, property tax, and insurance).
The typical Big Rapids household earns $40,197 — above what the median home requires. At that income, a buyer can afford roughly $244,000 with 20% down.
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,269/mo | $33,831 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $1,469/mo | $39,175 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $1,536/mo | $40,958 |
Estimates use a 6.43% 30-year fixed rate (current Freddie Mac average), an aggressive ~45% housing-to-income ratio (roughly what FHA underwriting can allow for a buyer with no other monthly debts — your number depends on your debts and credit), this area's median sale price and median property taxes, plus estimated insurance and PMI below 20% down. Not an APR or a commitment to lend — your actual rate and payment will vary.
Land for sale
Listings
6 parcels
Active / pending
Typical Land Value
$9K/acre
Median asking
Median Price
$102K
Per listing
Multifamily for sale
Listings
4 buildings
Active / pending
Median Price
$264K
Per building
Price Per Unit
$125K
Median
Who actually lends in Big Rapids, and how homes here are financed — from 2024 federal mortgage records.
Loans to buy a home
Most active lenders
Source: 2024 HMDA (CFPB/FFIEC). Neighborhood figures are area-weighted estimates from census-tract data; loan amounts are rounded and all-cash purchases are excluded.
Association and local-government details are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and state registries, and can change. Confirm directly with the association or municipality before relying on them.
City of Big Rapids Water Treatment Plant
City-operated municipal water; Public Works handles service permits.
City sanitation; billing via Treasurer's Office. Trash in poly carts.
Consumers Energy is the primary electric provider in the Big Rapids area.
Confirm by addressBig Rapids Department of Public Safety - Police Division
City DPS, 435 N Michigan Ave; ~18 uniformed officers.
Big Rapids Department of Public Safety - Fire Division
City DPS Fire Division, 435 N Michigan Ave; burn permits 231-527-0024.
Source: cityofbr.org
Utility, solar, and service details for Big Rapids are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and NREL / U.S. data.gov, and can change. Electric/gas can vary by address — confirm with the provider before relying on them.
Median Income
$40K
Home Value (Census)
$134K
Frequently asked about Big Rapids
- What do homes cost in Big Rapids?
- The median home value in Big Rapids is about $199,900. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Big Rapids housing market?
- there are 37 homes for sale in Big Rapids right now, and 77 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Big Rapids?
- Big Rapids is served by Big Rapids Public Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is Riverview Elementary School (10/10).