EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | 03
population growth over the last decade 6.2%
possess a bachelor’s degree or higher 37%
25% of population 19-years - old or younger (higher concentration than the state and nation)
of population growth driven by diverse populations 70.3%
7%
industrial space under construction 1.4M sq ft
86K
3.1%
industrial vacancy, lowest among top 50 markets
below national average in cost of living
more air passengers to date (comparing the first three quarters of 2024 to 2025)
employed in Greater Grand Rapids in 2025 597K
of companies report increased sales 65%
1.3K
43% 46%
new tech jobs added in 2025 (nearly 41,000 total)
of companies plan to increase hiring
of companies plan to expand
Data included in this report is based on the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood Metropolitan Statistical Area, comprising Kent, Ottawa, Barry, Ionia, and Montcalm counties, unless otherwise noted.
Due to the federal government shutdown, areas of this report are limited to the most recent data available. In many cases, data is reflected through the second quarter of 2025.
Lightcast is a frequently cited data source throughout the report. Lightcast aggregates and models data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, and other public and private sources.
Notes on the data
The Right Place, Inc. | State of the Region 2025
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