PEOPLE | 08
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT People of Greater Grand Rapids continue to strive toward greater levels of educational attainment. Since 2016, the region added 46,000 new bachelor 's degree holders and nearly 31,000 graduate and/or doctorial degrees.
GREATER GRAND RAPIDS EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
POPULATION UNDER 19 YEARS OLD
28%
2025
2016
Graduate Degree & Higher
Greater Grand Rapids
Michigan
United States
Bachelor’s Degree
27%
Associate’s Degree
26%
Some College
High School Diploma
25%
9th Grade to 12th Grade
24%
Less than 9th Grade
23%
0%
5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
30%
35%
Source: Lightcast
22%
Youth population (those under 19 years old) declined across regional, state, and national levels, following declines in national birthrates. In 2025, youth populations accounted for 25% of Greater Grand Rapids total population, compared to 23.1% in Michigan, and 23.9% in the U.S. Greater Grand Rapids’ youth population declined 0.3% from 2024 to 2025. YOUTH POPULATION
21%
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
2023
2024 2025
Source: Lightcast
The Right Place, Inc. | State of the Region 2025
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