In 1836 three entrepreneurs named Dibble, Kingsbury and Kendall bought 480 acres (1.9 km2) along the Thornapple River from Detroit banker Eurotas P. Hastings.

The three platted the area into lots, and soon a small community arose.

The city grew slowly, reaching 6,500 people in 1960 and remaining nearly flat through 1990.

[6] The Thornapple River passes through the city from east to west.

31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Each April, Hastings hosts a three-day jazz festival.

[13] Hastings Live provides three months of concerts and children's programming each summer.

[14] The Hastings Performing Arts Center opened in 2019 and hosts concerts and programming year round.