ZIP Code 49307 — Big Rapids city, MI Demographics & Data

ZIP code 49307 covers Big Rapids, MI in Mecosta County with a population of about 18,063.

At a glance, the area shows median age of 31.4 versus a U.S. median of about 38.9.

It sits in telephone area code 231; U.S. House district MI-2; the TRAVERSE CITY - CADILLAC media market.

Big Rapids, MI sits in a university / college context (near ferris state university (0.9 mi)). Expect stronger interest in student housing, rentals, walkability, transit, and a younger adult age mix versus typical suburban ZIPs.

Median household income in ZIP 49307 is about $54,803 — about 27% below the U.S. median ($75,149).

On socioeconomic markers, US5 shows a poverty rate of 23.4%; unemployment rate near 5.0%; 30.8% of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (about 2.9 points below the national share (33.7%)).

Labor and commute patterns include leading industry context around Healthcare, Education, and Manufacturing; about 6.6% of workers reporting work-from-home (about 8.6 points below the U.S. share (15.2%)); a mean commute of about 180.0 minutes (U.S. average near 26.8).

Median home value is about $179,600 — about 48% below the U.S. median home value ($348,079).

Housing tenure and rents show median gross rent around $792 (about 32% below the U.S. median rent ($1,163)), and owner-occupancy near 62.9% (about 2.6 points below the national owner-occupancy rate (65.4%)).

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 49307 in Big Rapids, MI, a household would need roughly $49,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $1,154. That sits below the local median household income ($54,803), suggesting the typical household income is closer to a workable buy-in level under these assumptions. Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

FEMA’s National Risk Index rates natural-hazard risk for Big Rapids city, MI as Relatively Low (composite score 69.8), which is near the middle of the national distribution. The strongest component scores on US5 are flood (62.8) and wildfire (29.2). These scores are county-linked NRI values published for planning context — all ZIP codes in the same county share the same composite score on US5. Useful when comparing insurance and disaster exposure across areas, not a substitute for a parcel-level flood or fire determination.

Climate normals for Big Rapids city, MI show little to no average snow and around 37.9 inches of annual precipitation.

IRS migration statistics show a net inflow of about 707 for ZIP 49307 (Big Rapids city, MI) on US5’s published series — a signal of people/tax filers moving in relative to those leaving. Inflows often track job growth, housing demand, or lifestyle migration; treat the figure as a directional indicator rather than a precise headcount.