East Grand Rapids, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
East Grand Rapids, Michigan
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| City of East Grand Rapids | ||
Looking west along Wealthy Street
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Location within Kent County
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 East Grand Rapids, Michigan
Location in Michigan
East Grand Rapids, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Michigan | |
| County | Kent | |
| Incorporated | 1891 (village) 1926 (city) |
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| Area | ||
| • Total | 3.39 sq mi (8.78 km2) | |
| • Land | 2.93 sq mi (7.58 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.46 sq mi (1.20 km2) | |
| Elevation | 748 ft (227 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 11,371 | |
| • Density | 3,883.54/sq mi (1,499.41/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code(s) |
49506
49546 (Grand Rapids) |
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| Area code(s) | 616 | |
| FIPS code | 26-23980 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0625189 | |
East Grand Rapids is a city located in Kent County, Michigan, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, about 11,371 people lived there.
Even though it's close to Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids manages its own affairs. It is a unique and independent city within the larger Grand Rapids metropolitan area.
Contents
History of East Grand Rapids
How East Grand Rapids Began
East Grand Rapids was first settled in the early 1830s. The Reed Family from New York City were among the first to arrive. In 1834, Miss Sophia Reed and Miss Euphemia Davis started a school near Reeds Lake.
More schoolhouses were built in the area. In 1891, residents decided to officially create the Village of East Grand Rapids. Later, in 1926, it became a full city when its population was about 1,300 people.
A Popular Place for Visitors
East Grand Rapids became a popular spot for tourists from the Grand Rapids area. People loved visiting Reeds Lake for day trips and summer fun. Starting in the 1870s, it was a favorite destination.
Two bathing beaches, Manhattan Beach and Rose's Bathing Beach, opened on Reeds Lake. They offered boat rides, places to change, restaurants, and resorts. Steamboats also took visitors on fun rides around the lake.
Getting Around East Grand Rapids
At first, visitors traveled by foot, stagecoach, or horse and buggy. By the mid-1870s, horse-drawn cars made it easier to get around. People could ride from downtown Grand Rapids to the lake.
Later, in 1877, a steam train replaced the horse cars. Electric streetcars started running in the early 1890s. These were eventually replaced by buses in 1935.
Ramona Park: A Fun Amusement Park
In 1897, a special amusement park called Ramona Park opened. It was built to encourage people to use the streetcar services. The park had exciting rides, games, and food stands.
There were also two large buildings for shows and roller skating. Ramona Park closed in 1955. The land where it once stood is now used for apartments and a shopping center.
Famous Residents
In 1974, East Grand Rapids gained national attention because it was the official home of Gerald R. Ford. He later became the 38th President of the United States. Although he lived in Washington D.C. for many years while working in government, East Grand Rapids was his hometown.
Modern Improvements and Growth
Recently, East Grand Rapids has seen many new developments. A new shopping area was built as part of a big project. This project also includes offices and apartment buildings.
In 2006, Wealthy Street was updated with new paving, lights, and decorations. A new, larger library also opened in August 2006. It is located near Reeds Lake and the Grand Rapids Yacht Club.
Geography and Nature
East Grand Rapids covers about 3.39 square miles (8.78 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but a good portion is water.
The main water areas are Reeds Lake and Fisk Lake. These lakes add to the city's natural beauty.
Education in East Grand Rapids
The East Grand Rapids Public Schools district includes several schools:
- East Grand Rapids High School
- East Grand Rapids Middle School
- Wealthy Elementary
- Breton Downs Elementary
- Lakeside Elementary
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 466 | — | |
| 1910 | 800 | 71.7% | |
| 1920 | 1,310 | 63.8% | |
| 1930 | 4,024 | 207.2% | |
| 1940 | 4,899 | 21.7% | |
| 1950 | 6,403 | 30.7% | |
| 1960 | 10,924 | 70.6% | |
| 1970 | 12,565 | 15.0% | |
| 1980 | 10,914 | −13.1% | |
| 1990 | 10,807 | −1.0% | |
| 2000 | 10,764 | −0.4% | |
| 2010 | 10,694 | −0.7% | |
| 2020 | 11,371 | 6.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
What the 2020 Census Shows
According to the 2020 United States census, East Grand Rapids had 11,371 residents. Most people (93.4%) identified as White. Other groups included Black (1.0%), Asian (1.6%), and Native American (0.1%). About 3.3% of residents were from two or more races.
People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 1.7% of the population.
A Look at the 2010 Census
In 2010, there were 10,694 people living in East Grand Rapids. There were 3,818 households, with many being families. The population density was about 3,650 people per square mile.
Most residents (95.4%) were White. Other groups included African American (1.1%) and Asian (1.5%). About 1.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (44.9%) had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.80 people. The average family had 3.21 people.
The median age in the city was 39.8 years. About 31.6% of residents were under 18. About 9.7% were 65 or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (48.3%) and females (51.7%).
Notable People from East Grand Rapids
Many interesting people have connections to East Grand Rapids:
- Jim Boylen, a former coach for the NBA's Chicago Bulls.
- Betty Ford, a former First Lady of the United States.
- Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States.
- Steven Ford, an actor and son of Gerald Ford.
- William George, a business professor and former CEO of Medtronic.
- Luke Glendening, a professional hockey player.
- Adam Herz, a writer known for the movie American Pie.
- David Howitt, an author and business founder.
- Luke Jensen, a professional tennis player.
- Laura Kasischke, an award-winning poet and novelist.
- Tom Lehman, a professional golfer.
- David T. McLaughlin, a former president of Dartmouth College.
- Peter F. Secchia, a former U.S. Ambassador to Italy.
- L. William Seidman, an economist and former head of the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
- Gillian Sorensen, a senior advisor at the United Nations Foundation.
- Chris Van Allsburg, the author of the children's book The Polar Express.
- Brian Vander Ark, a singer/songwriter and former lead singer of The Verve Pipe.
See also
In Spanish: East Grand Rapids para niños
