Grand Rapids is one of the fastest growing cities not just in Michigan but in the Midwest. While the state's population has dwindled in recent years (mostly with the exodus of residents from the eastern side of the state), Grand Rapids continues to flourish. The rise in new industry - specifically the medical industry, proves a stark contrast to the automotive, industrial industries of Detroit and the surrounding communities. If you are moving to the Grand Rapids area and are interested in staying close to the city center, while having a bit more space to yourself, you need to consider Midtown. With many perks and amenities to choose from, there is much to become excited about when looking through Midtown properties.
Before moving into any community, understanding the demographic makeup can prove essential. Whether you want to live in a more family friendly community or you are looking for a specific age range, local demographics do play a role. Just under 36,000 individuals call Midtown Grand Rapids home. 51.3 percent of the population is female male while 48.7 percent of the population is female. It is a younger population, with the median age sitting at 28.3 years.
Most working citizens in Midtown Grand Rapids are white collar business professionals. This includes not only home and property owners in Midtown but the jobs available in the area of GR. 62.1 percent of the population is considered white collar while 37.9 percent of the population are blue collar. Education does play an important role with most residents, regardless of their job title. 24.1 percent of the population has at least a bachelor's degree. This is the second largest educational demographic in the city, second only to 31.5 percent of the population having at least some college experience. More residents (1,850) have at least a graduate degree than no high school education (1,830).
As an area for younger professionals, Midtown Grand Rapids is not a bustling hub for high-income professionals. The vast majority of residents in the neighborhood are early into their careers, so higher income levels are to be expected. The average income for a working professional between the age of 25 and 44 in Midtown is $32,800. The average increases to $34,369 for residents between 45 and 64 while those over the age of 65 have an income of $35,189. The average income for residents under 25 is $19,784.
The Medical Mile is located right off of Michigan Street in Midtown. Michigan Street essentially bisects the neighborhood into two. With two major hospitals and several specialty medical facilities within the community, all homes are only a few minutes drive away from medical assistance, doctor offices and other necessary amenities, so keep this in mind when looking at homes in the community.
Grand Rapids has popped up as a major player in the state's medical community over the past decade. Ann Arbor still remains the primary research hospital for specialty cases, cancer research and more unique situations, Grand Rapids now prides itself as offering some of the best medical treatment facilities in the Midwest. Many of the residents in Midtown work on the Medical Mile. Whether nurses or early doctor's serving their residency in Grand Rapids, if you decide to move to Midtown, you'll likely live alongside many of these working professionals.
Grand Rapids is a beer drinking down. The sheer number of quality micro breweries in the city and on the outskirts makes it a popular stopover for beer lovers on a pilgrimage to Founders or even Bell's in Kalamazoo. To help bring beer lovers together in the city, the popular Midtown On Top celebration takes place annually in August. This allows both large and small micro breweries from the area to bring the beer to you. Plus, local food vendors serve up tasty selections of dishes, all making it a fantastic little event for everyone to enjoy. Local musicians play on stage as you hit up the different brewery selections and food offerings. Even if you don't like beer, it is a great chance to get outside, enjoy the local food and just have a good time with your neighbors.
Midtown is young professional oriented. Along Michigan Street there are small businesses ranging from coffee shops to locally owned restaurants (one thing you'll notice is there are very few chain restaurants around the community). There are some condos above these restaurants and coffee shops, which can make for a fun and festive atmosphere, but as you move away from the main Michigan Street, it starts to turn into houses. If you're looking to head out to work, riding your bike is a great advantage, as it is still close enough to both downtown and the Medical Mile for bike riding.
Some gyms are around Midtown if you want to workout (beyond just shoveling the snow in your driveway), but there are not many parks. The Midtown park is a bit more open, used for public events like the Midtown On Tap. So, greenery beyond your yard typically requires you to head outward to a different community. As a young professional, this might not prove much of an issue, but if you're looking to start a family, it is something to consider.
There are no sports teams in Midtown. Despite the growing size of Grand Rapids, the only real professional team you have is the Grand Rapids Griffins. This is the minor league affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. The town also has the Grand Rapids White Caps, an A ball affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, but neither of these are located in Midtown.
