Grand Rapids

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Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids city (1990 pop. 189,126), seat of Kent co., SW central Mich., on the Grand River; inc. 1850. The second largest city in the state, it is a distribution, wholesale, and industrial center for an area that yields fruit, dairy products, farm produce, gypsum, and gravel. Furniture manufacturing (begun in 1859) remains important. Among the city's other manufactures are appliances, electronic equipment, automotive parts, aircraft and space navigation systems, and paper products. It has the Gerald R. Ford Museum, art and furniture museums, a botanical garden, a symphony orchestra, and an opera company. Also in Grand Rapids are Aquinas College, Calvin College, and several seminaries.

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"Grand Rapids." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Grand Rapids." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (November 12, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-GrandRap.html

"Grand Rapids." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-GrandRap.html

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Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids: Introduction
Grand Rapids: Geography and Climate
Grand Rapids: History
Grand Rapids: Population Profile
Grand Rapids: Municipal Government
Grand Rapids: Economy
Grand Rapids: Education and Research
Grand Rapids: Health Care
Grand Rapids: Recreation
Grand Rapids: Convention Facilities
Grand Rapids: Transportation
Grand Rapids: Communications

The City in Brief

Founded: 1831 (incorporated, 1850)

Head Official: City Manager Kurt Kimball (since 1987)

City Population

1980: 181,843

1990: 189,126

2000: 197,800

2003 estimate: 195,601

Percent change, 1990–2000: 4.3%

U.S. rank in 1980: 75th

U.S. rank in 1990: 83rd

U.S. rank in 2000: 107th (State rank: 2nd)

Metropolitan Area Population

1980: 602,000

1990: 937,891

2000: 1,088,514

Percent change, 1990–2000: 16.1%

U.S. rank in 1980: 56th

U.S. rank in 1990: Not reported

U.S. rank in 2000: 48th

Area: 45 square miles (2000)

Elevation: Ranges from 785 to 1,075 feet above sea level

Average Annual Temperature: 47.4° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 37.13 inches of rain, 71.9 inches of snow

Major Economic Sectors: Manufacturing, services, retail trade

Unemployment Rate: 6.6% (March 2005)

Per Capita Income: $17,661 (1999)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 11,292

Major Colleges and Universities: Grand Valley State University

Daily Newspaper: The Grand Rapids Press

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Grand Rapids

Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names | 2005 | | Â© Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Grand Rapids, Canada, USA USA (Michigan): founded in 1826 by a Frenchman, Louis Campau, at a point where various Native American trails met at rapids on the Grand River.

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JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Grand Rapids." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. Oxford University Press. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Grand Rapids." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. Oxford University Press. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (November 12, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-GrandRapids.html

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Grand Rapids." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. Oxford University Press. 2005. Retrieved November 12, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-GrandRapids.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Veolia Energy Upgrades Grand Rapids District Energy System to Increase Energy Efficiency. Business Wire; 6/23/2009
	Cycling Classic to Benefit the Grand Rapids Public Schools. Business Wire; 8/21/2008
	Excelsio Advises City of Grand Rapids in Historic Partnership with Clearwire LLC. Business Wire; 12/7/2006

Facts and information from other sites

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