Our Regional Economy
West Michigan is a growing, vibrant region that has much to offer businesses and professionals alike. The region consists of nearly 1.4 million and is anchored by the cities of Grand Rapids, Holland and Muskegon.
IEDC Data Sets
Many of the data sets recommended by the International Economic Development Council available for download, including details regarding West Michigan's
companies,
workforce and
regional demographics.
Please
contact us or a member of The Right Place
business development team to receive other regional information specific to your business location or expansion project.
Grand Rapids CSA Economic Overview
**Combined Statistical Area (CSA) = Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa counties.
- Gross Regional Product: $41,155,240,000 (2005 U.S. dollars)
- Population: 1,326,742
- Median Age: 35.9
- Languages spoken: 40+
- Average Household Income: $60,191
- Median owner-occupied home value: $140,500
- Civilian Labor Force: 649,616
CSA National Rankings
- 32nd Total Population
- 43rd Median Age of Population
- 35th Number of Households
- 35th Total Employment
National Industry Rankings
(by density and number of jobs within the region)
- 6th Automotive
- 8th Biopharmaceuticals
- 9th Metal Manufacturing
- 12th Plastics
Cost of Living
| Metropolitan Statistical Area |
Composite |
Groceries |
Housing |
Utilities |
Transportation |
Health Care |
Misc. Goods & Services |
| Grand Rapids |
88.9 |
98.9 |
76.1 |
91.2 |
98.2 |
94.4 |
91.9 |
| Detroit, MI |
90.6 |
90.5 |
78.3 |
103.0 |
97.9 |
93.2 |
95.1 |
| Chicago, IL |
115.3 |
112.5 |
133.4 |
96.6 |
118.4 |
107.1 |
106.3 |
| Minneapolis, MN |
112.1 |
110.2 |
121.5 |
98.7 |
108.6 |
101.8 |
111.1 |
| Cleveland, OH |
103.8 |
111.8 |
96.5 |
101.9 |
101.7 |
106.0 |
107.9 |
| Cincinnati, OH |
93.3 |
103.8 |
81.6 |
102.1 |
95.1 |
101.7 |
95.1 |
| Milwaukee,WI |
98.4 |
93.9 |
103.5 |
102.2 |
96.0 |
109.7 |
93.8 |
| Raleigh, NC |
95.1 |
99.6 |
82.2 |
103.8 |
98.4 |
94.7 |
101.0 |
| Atlanta, GA |
95.2 |
96.4 |
91.0 |
89.4 |
98.2 |
98.9 |
99.0 |
| Oklahoma City, OK |
89.1 |
92.9 |
85.0 |
86.6 |
88.1 |
101.3 |
90.6 |
| Knoxville, TN |
89.7 |
93.2 |
84.7 |
99.0 |
84.1 |
91.4 |
91.3 |
| St. Louis, MO |
91.3 |
97.3 |
74.4 |
102.4 |
94.0 |
99.1 |
98.7 |
| Austin, TX |
93.4 |
83.6 |
79.2 |
101.9 |
101.3 |
96.9 |
104.6 |
| Las Vegas, NV |
101.4 |
104.8 |
93.2 |
91.3 |
104.1 |
109.1 |
108.7 |
|
Students, job seekers, private researchers and small business owners may also find the following sites helpful to your research.
The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research: A resident staff of economists, nine of whom hold PhD degrees, conduct research on a wide variety of employment issues.
The Community Research Institute (CRI): CRI gathers, analyzes, interprets, and shares national and local data through partnerships with nonprofit and neighborhood groups.
Grand Rapids Public Library Small Business Resource Center: The Small Business Resource Center has several tools, books and databases to support business growth.