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Detroit has been declining for decades, at its peak it had a population of 1.8 million in the 1950s , now its less than 700,000. In some neighborhoods its literally a ghost town. In fact about 80% of its metro population is in the suburbs and most of its economy is in the suburbs too.
Grand Rapids however, is going at slow rate tho, and has a growing economy. With a more diverse population.
My question is will Grand Rapids replace Detroit as Michigan's primary city, similar to how to Columbus became Ohio's powerhouse (no offense to Cleveland I love the city, but its no secret Columbus now has the best economy in the state and one of the best in the Midwest region)..
Will Grand Rapids replace Detroit as Michigan's powerhouse?
Maybe. I think people have to accept that Detroit will NEVER be what it used to be. That city has declined so much that it hit rock bottom. Even though the only was is to go up now, it's going to be so slow and very small improvements.
I can see Grand Rapids possibly becoming the premiere city in Michigan but it's going to take a very long time, I think I will be dead (I am 30) before that happens, and so much can happen between now and then.
Not for a long long time. Grand Rapids has a metro of around 1,000,000, but 275,000 of that is areas around Holland and the lakefront, which is quite separate from Grand Rapids.
I'm in both a lot, Detroit certainly feels MUUUUUCH larger and is more easily accessible. I like Grand Rapids and it has a good economy and is growing, but it's definitely second fiddle in Michigan, and it's not even close.
Detroit pulls in Ann Arbor, Flint and Windsor. It's 5,000,000+ people and a huge economy. Grand Rapids pull has around 1,300,000 in the entire area.
No, because Metro Detroit also has about 40-45% of the state's population and it is because of Detroit that it is that way. If you go to the CSA, it is more like 55% of the state's population, give or take.
Also, as mentioned, Detroit has nowhere else to go but up. so, even if it improves slowly, but surely, I have a hard time seeing Grand Rapids overtaking Detroit. Keep in mind that Kent County, where Grand Rapids is located, still has about 80,000 less people than the city of Detroit. So, unless Grand Rapids pulls a Jacksonville or Indianapolis, I don't see that happening. Even then, Metro Detroit is so far ahead, that it would be tough to say that Grand Rapids is the premier city in the state.
No, because Metro Detroit also has about 40-45% of the state's population and it is because of Detroit that it is that way. If you go to the CSA, it is more like 55% of the state's population, give or take.
Also, as mentioned, Detroit has nowhere else to go but up. so, even if it improves slowly, but surely, I have a hard time seeing Grand Rapids overtaking Detroit. Keep in mind that Kent County, where Grand Rapids is located, still has about 80,000 less people than the city of Detroit. So, unless Grand Rapids pulls a Jacksonville or Indianapolis, I don't see that happening. Even then, Metro Detroit is so far ahead, that it would be tough to say that Grand Rapids is the premier city in the state.
Well also if you look at it apples to apples:
City:
Grand Rapids: 190,000
Detroit: 690,000
Metro:
Grand Rapids: 1,000,000
Detroit: 4,200,000
CSA:
Grand Rapids: 1,300,000
Detroit: 5,200,000
It's also worth noting that while Detroit is famous for all its issues, the actual ECONOMY of the metro area isn't doing that bad at all, in fact it's growing quite quickly and is easily as large as it's ever been.
The issue with Detroit is while the output and economy grew, the industries were all grouped in ones that took advantage of technology and need FAR fewer employees than what many other cities saw as their economies progressed.
Their output and economy didn't suffer as much as they supported far fewer actual jobs. That's what ruined the area during downturns.
Grand Rapids is emerging as it's own city, people are starting to notice it. It will never over take Detroit. While Detroit may never have 1.9 million people in its borders again. It's metro area has started functioning as a region again and is finally starting to actually pursue the things it lacks next to its peer cities. There's no way.
Grand Rapids is emerging as it's own city, people are starting to notice it. It will never over take Detroit. While Detroit may never have 1.9 million people in its borders again. It's metro area has started functioning as a region again and is finally starting to actually pursue the things it lacks next to its peer cities. There's no way.
I wouldn't say never. I mean Detroit has been declining and continue to decline and in my lifetime I really don't see it ever taking off, in fact I see it stabilizing or continuing to decline. Grand Rapids I think offers a lot more potential, for starters it doesn't have all the problems (and they are a lot) that Detroit has. I am positive we won't see it overtake Detroit in our lifetimes, but I think it's possible. Overall though I don't see any city in the Midwest booming anymore. I see them growing, but all of them very slow.
Not for a long long time. Grand Rapids has a metro of around 1,000,000, but 275,000 of that is areas around Holland and the lakefront, which is quite separate from Grand Rapids.
Quick Fact check, only about 150,000 of Grand Rapids Metro lives on the lakeshore. There is an urbanized portion of the lakeshore from Holland to Muskegon, but 150,000 of those residents live in Muskegon County which is NOT counted in Grand Rapids metro numbers.
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