At the request of Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
This
document contains historical information on the congressional
districts that have encompassed Grand Rapids, Michigan, from statehood
to the present day. Over the years, the number of Michigan Representatives
has fluctuated based on its population. During Michigan’s first
six years, the entire state comprised a single congressional district.
Since Michigan’s admission to the Union occurred between the 1830
and 1840 decennial censuses, the state was entitled to only one
representative until Congress enacted a new apportionment act
following the 1840 census.
In
1843, Michigan was divided into three congressional districts,
giving the state representation in proportion to its population.
As the population grew, more districts were added. The number
of congressional districts in Michigan peaked at 19 between the
89th and the 97th Congresses, then gradually
declined as the state’s share of nationwide population declined.
There are currently 15 congressional districts in Michigan, beginning
with the 108th Congress.
From
1843 to 1852, Grand Rapids was within the 2nd District.
In 1853, the state gained a fourth seat in Congress, and the redrawn
congressional district map put Grand Rapids within the 3rd District. Lines were redrawn again in 1863, putting Grand Rapids
in the 4th District. Then, for the next 120 years,
from 1873 to 1992 Grand Rapids was in the 5th Congressional
District. Finally, from 1993 to the present, Grand Rapids has
been in the 3rd District.
Since
1837, when Michigan gained formal admission to the Union, residents
of Grand Rapids have been represented by 30 different Representatives.
Sixteen were Republicans, eleven were Democrats, and one each
were members of the Whig, Free Soil and Fusionist parties respectively.
The Representative with the longest tenure was Carl E. Mapes who
served from the 63rd to the 76th Congress
(1913 to 1939). Representative Gerald Ford had the second longest
service. Elected to the 81st Congress in 1949, and
re-elected to 12 succeeding Congresses, Ford represented Grand
Rapids until December 6, 1973, when he resigned to be sworn in
as Vice President of the United States.
The
attached table provides summary details for each of the Members
of Congress who have represented Grand Rapids. It includes their
names, party affiliations, dates of service, and the congressional
district they represented.
Congressional Research
Service
July 21, 2003
