Industry in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Furniture City: During the second half of the 19th century, Grand Rapids became the premier furniture manufacturing city of the United States, and a major lumbering center. Grand Rapids soon became recognized worldwide as a leader in the production of fine furniture, and was nicknamed 'Furniture City'. Today the metropolitan area is home to five of the world's leading office furniture companies: Steelcase, Herman Miller, Haworth, Knoll, and American Seating.

Another substantial portion of the economic base is comprised of automotive parts, industrial machinery, printing, graphic arts, plastics and chemicals, grocery wholesalers, and food processors. International businesses also play an important role, as there are more than 50 foreign-owned firms in the county, and many metropolitan area firms involved in international trade.

Items and goods produced: office furniture and hardware, home furniture, automobile parts, plastics, industrial machinery, tool and dies, home-care products, home appliances, commercial printing, electronic equipment, scientific instruments, food, leather

As of the census of 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $37,224, and the median income for a family was $44,224.