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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Grand Rapids, MI

Population: 198,096 (2022) · Mid-Size Cities (100K–250K)

D
42/100

Below average — significant fiscal challenges in multiple areas

Total Spending
$4.4B
Per Capita
$22,146
Total Revenue
$5.0B
Total Debt
$276.2M

Spending Breakdown

Other
43.8%$1.9B
Housing & Community Development
13.6%$597.0M
Utilities
12.4%$545.8M
Hospitals
10.9%$477.3M
Fire Protection
8.7%$382.3M
Parks & Recreation
4.0%$174.8M
Health
3.2%$140.8M
Public Welfare
1.7%$72.6M
Sewerage
1.1%$50.0M
Education
0.6%$26.4M

Spending data sourced from the Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State & Local Government Finances. Per-capita comparisons use the Lincoln Institute's Fiscally Standardized Cities methodology for fair cross-city benchmarking.

Revenue Sources

Property Tax
0.7%$33.2M
Sales Tax
4.3%$215.7M
Income Tax
1.7%$84.9M
Intergovernmental
100.0%$5.0B
Charges & Fees
10.9%$548.5M
Other
20.0%$1.0B

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection$1,930/person
Parks & Recreation$882/person
Education$133/person
Health$711/person

Score Breakdown

Budget Balance & Reserves (25%)59/100
Debt Burden (20%)0/100
Pension Funding (20%)76/100
Spending Efficiency (15%)49/100
Revenue Diversity (10%)0/100
Trend Direction (10%)50/100

Debt Overview

Total Debt$276.2M
Long-Term Debt$116.7M
Debt Per Capita$1,394
Cash & Securities$52.0M

Compare Cities

See how Grand Rapids stacks up against another city.

vs Detroit, MIvs Warren, MIvs Sterling Heights, MI
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023). Population from American Community Survey.

Other Cities in Michigan

Detroit, MI

Pop. 637K

B
Total Spending
$19.8B
Per Capita
$31,087

Warren, MI

Pop. 139K

C
Total Spending
$2.1B
Per Capita
$15,235

Sterling Heights, MI

Pop. 134K

B
Total Spending
$1.7B
Per Capita
$12,550

Ann Arbor, MI

Pop. 122K

D
Total Spending
$2.7B
Per Capita
$22,006

Compare Grand Rapids With

Detroit, MI

Spending: $31,087/person · Grade: B

Warren, MI

Spending: $15,235/person · Grade: C

Sterling Heights, MI

Spending: $12,550/person · Grade: B

Ann Arbor, MI

Spending: $22,006/person · Grade: D

Frequently Asked Questions

Grand Rapids, MI spends $22,146 per resident, based on total expenditures of $4.4B for a population of 198,096. The city has a Fiscal Health Score of D (42/100).

Grand Rapids, MI has total expenditures of $4.4B and total revenue of $5.0B. The city carries $276.2M in total debt, based on Census Bureau data from 2023.

Grand Rapids, MI employs 0 government workers, of which 0 are full-time. The average government salary is $0, with 0.0 employees per 10,000 residents.

Grand Rapids, MI has a Fiscal Health Score of D (42/100). This score evaluates budget balance, debt burden, pension funding, spending efficiency, revenue diversity, and 3-year fiscal trajectory compared to peer cities of similar population.

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