Population 39,523 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 49503
Household size in ZIP 49503
| Period | ZIP 49503 | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.49 | 2.69 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.52 | 2.70 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.44 | 2.69 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.26 | 2.66 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.23 | −0.03 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Households in ZIP 49503 are small: just 2.26 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.49, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in ZIP 49503
| Period | ZIP 49503 | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.7 | 36.0 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.9 | 37.2 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.0 | 37.9 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 31.4 | 38.3 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.7 | +2.3 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
ZIP 49503 is young: half of its residents are under 31.4, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 30.7, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 475 Michigan ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only 11 are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in ZIP 49503
| Period | ZIP 49503 | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.0% | 11.0% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.6% | 10.9% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.8% | 10.5% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.7% | 9.7% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in ZIP 49503: 15.7% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged down 1.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. ZIP 49503 has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five Michigan ZIP codes.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in ZIP 49503
Renters in ZIP 49503
| Period | ZIP 49503 | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 56.4% | 24.7% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 60.2% | 26.9% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 58.6% | 26.6% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 63.1% | 25.4% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.7 pts | +0.7 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in ZIP 49503 rent: 63.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 40.9% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share has risen 6.7 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in ZIP 49503
| Period | ZIP 49503 | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 9.6% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.5% | 8.8% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 7.1% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 6.6% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.3 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in ZIP 49503 than nationally: 7.8%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The picture is much the same across the Grand Rapids area. Vacancy has fallen 6.3 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in ZIP 49503
| Period | ZIP 49503 | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1943 | 1974 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1944 | 1974 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1946 | 1976 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1954 | 1978 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +5 | +3 | +6 |
The housing in ZIP 49503 is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1954, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1943 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the east. Only 46 of the 475 Michigan ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in ZIP 49503
| Period | ZIP 49503 | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $713 | $800 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $776 | $848 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $940 | $950 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,331 | $1,285 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$618 | +$485 | +$395 | +$606 |
Rent in ZIP 49503 runs $1,331 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $618 a month from 2006–10, an 87% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 27.1% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in ZIP 49503
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 49503
| Period | ZIP 49503 | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.6% | 27.1% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 31.1% | 29.1% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 40.5% | 31.9% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 42.6% | 36.9% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +18.1 pts | +9.8 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are more common in ZIP 49503 than nationally: 42.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 18.1 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the southwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in ZIP 49503
| Period | ZIP 49503 | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 77.4% | 88.5% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.2% | 89.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 82.8% | 91.0% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.6% | 92.2% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.2 pts | +3.7 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in eight adults in ZIP 49503 never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 87.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 10.2 points, mirroring the country. ZIP 49503 has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Michigan ZIP codes.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in ZIP 49503
| Period | ZIP 49503 | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.7% | 9.2% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.0% | 9.0% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 4.2% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 3.9% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −8.0 pts | −5.3 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.8%, unemployment in ZIP 49503 is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in the Grand Rapids area overall (3.9%). Unemployment is down 8.0 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
ZIP 49503 compared with nearby ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 49503 | 2.26 | 31.4 | 15.7% | 63.1% | 7.8% | 1954 | $1,331 | 42.6% | 87.6% | 5.8% |
| ZIP 49507 | 3.02 | 31.8 | 20.1% | 38.2% | 5.9% | 1943 | $1,209 | 26.8% | 77.9% | 6.6% |
| ZIP 49506 | 2.82 | 33.8 | 6.8% | 25.8% | 6.1% | 1950 | $1,624 | 67.5% | 97.5% | 4.0% |
| ZIP 49504 | 2.35 | 34.7 | 11.7% | 43.1% | 9.3% | 1953 | $1,326 | 39.1% | 89.6% | 5.4% |
| ZIP 49505 | 2.33 | 35.9 | 14.1% | 34.3% | 5.1% | 1960 | $1,388 | 41.4% | 95.5% | 4.1% |
| ZIP 49509 | 2.72 | 34.7 | 14.1% | 30.7% | 4.6% | 1961 | $1,120 | 17.7% | 86.2% | 3.9% |
| ZIP 49525 | 2.51 | 39.4 | 9.1% | 20.6% | 4.1% | 1984 | $1,497 | 52.7% | 97.3% | 4.0% |
| ZIP 49544 | 2.35 | 36.2 | 10.8% | 42.3% | 2.1% | 1981 | $1,239 | 35.5% | 93.6% | 4.4% |
| ZIP 49519 | 2.67 | 34.3 | 11.6% | 41.9% | 8.0% | 1973 | $1,260 | 29.4% | 89.9% | 4.3% |
| ZIP 49546 | 2.57 | 42.4 | 7.7% | 31.5% | 4.9% | 1982 | $1,638 | 62.3% | 96.2% | 2.5% |
| ZIP 49534 | 2.53 | 40.5 | 7.7% | 26.3% | 5.1% | 1985 | $1,394 | 36.8% | 95.7% | 2.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 01702, MA · 99206, WA · 98584, WA · 95973, CA · 95821, CA · 91601, CA · 91311, CA · 90804, CA · 32258, FL · 30087, GA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up ZIP 49503. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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