Big Rapids is a city and the seat of government of Mecosta County, Michigan, United States.

[5] The city is surrounded by Big Rapids Charter Township but they are completely separate jurisdictions.

Big Rapids was settled in 1855 by brothers George and Zera French.

As the village of Leonard, at the intersection of Elm and Stewart streets, it became the seat of Mecosta County on February 11, 1859,[6] but local lumbermen knew the site as Big Rapids.

On September 29, 1859, the Leonard post office was renamed Big Rapids.

[6] Big Rapids was platted on November 3, 1859, surrounding the courthouse site of Leonard.

[6][7] Big Rapids is in northwestern Mecosta County in central Michigan.

The city sits along the Muskegon River, which passes Ferris State University and the local middle school on its way southwest to Lake Michigan.

Mecosta County (like most rural areas)[12] struggles with poor education, lack of high-paying jobs, and high rates of substance abuse.