Why Greater Grand Rapids
Workforce
A Motivated Workforce Fueled by a Robust Talent Pipeline
More than nearly any other factor, companies choose locations because of the available workforce. Greater Grand Rapids has a regional workforce that is highly motivated, creative, and excels in technical and academic skills.
Grand Rapids is one of the cities leading Michigan's population growth, with a 4.0% increase in population over a 5-year period (2015-2020). Year over year, the city has been touted as a 'Millennial Magnet' by more than one independent study.
As the 'No. 1 Mid-Sized Metro for Economic Growth Potential,' it's not hard to see why the region has continued to attract talented professionals from across the nation.
Workforce and Population Overview
A high-level overview of the Grand Rapids MSA and West Michigan workforce and population data
*Grand Rapids-Kentwood Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm, and Ionia counties
**West Michigan Region consists of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa counties.
Data Source: Emsi - Economy Overview Report
Top 10 Occupation Groups (2026)
A list of the top 10 occupation groups in the Greater Grand Rapids region.
*The MSA consists of the following counties: Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm and Ionia.
**The West Michigan region consists of the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa.
Data Source: Lightcast - Occupation Table
Wages by Occupation (2020)
A chart of wages by the region's top occupation categories, categorized by average hourly earnings.
Values reflect total occupational earnings for a region divided by number of jobs. Includes wages, salaries, supplements (additional employee benefits) and proprietor income.
*The MSA consists of the following counties: Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm and Ionia.
**The West Michigan region consists of the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa.
Data Source: Emsi - Occupation Table
Private Industry Union Membership by Percentage
Data Source: Georgia State University, http://unionstats.gsu.edu/
- Because this dataset relies on small samples, a 3-year rolling average is used to estimate union membership