Wyoming

About Wyoming

Located in Kent County, Wyoming borders Grand Rapids, the City of Grandville, and the Grand River, which is the largest river in Michigan. With a population of more than 76,000 residents, Wyoming is a family-friendly suburban community with numerous parks for year-round recreation, great schools, and proximity to the arts and culture of urban Grand Rapids. Lake Michigan’s wonderful western shore is just 30 miles to the west for boating and beach adventures.

Wyoming History

The earliest inhabitants were Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who built mounds in what is now Wyoming near the Grand River. The Norton Mound site is protected by Grand Rapids Public Museum. Wyoming Township got its start in 1848 and was incorporated in 1959.

It’s unusual in that the city did not expand from an original settlement. Check out the Wyoming Michigan History Room at the Wyoming Public Library to peruse the archive of memorabilia, photos, and artifacts that tell the city’s story.

Living and Working in Wyoming

With a motto like City of Vision and Progress, it’s no wonder Wyoming residents love living here for its safety and strong community. The Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance brings together residents of all ages, businesses, and the civic infrastructure to collaborate on keeping the community strong and moving forward by funding projects and scholarships.

The 28th Street Corridor has long been a retail and dining destination in the center of Wyoming. The area is evolving with mixed-use buildings, green spaces, and by attracting small businesses, making it ever more walkable and sustainable. Large employers in Wyoming include Metro Health and Gordon Food Service, plus a wide range of manufacturing enterprises. Residents also pursue careers in medicine, education, and manufacturing in Grand Rapids by commuting, telecommuting, or a hybrid of the two.

Things to do in Wyoming

There are wonderful parks throughout Wyoming for organized sports, pickleball, playgrounds, picnic sites, and walking trails. Launch your canoe or kayak at Battje Park, where you can also do some fishing. If no luck, drop a line at Lamar Park or the Buck Creek Nature Preserve. Senior Center offers all kinds of fun and recreation. Ride your bike or rollerblade the Kent Trails or the Interurban Trail.

Play a round at the public fairways of Kaufman Golf Course in Palmer Park. In nearby Grand Rapids Township, the must-see Fredrik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has world-class sculpture in earshot of summer concerts at its amphitheater. Head west to spend a day at the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan’s western shore, where tall dunes and tall forests meet the Great Lake.

Wyoming Transportation

Major arteries serving Wyoming include I-196 and U.S. 131, with Michigan 11 running through town and Michigan 6/Paul B. Henry Freeway at its southern border.

The Rapid operates public bus lines all over the city, plus the Silver Line connects Wyoming to Grand Rapids and nearby Kentwood with rapid bus service. In Grand Rapids you can access Amtrak and Indian Trails bus service to nearby Michigan cities. Gerald R. Ford International Airport is only 10 miles to the east.

Wyoming Housing

Housing prices in Wyoming run quite a bit below the national average whether you rent or own your home. With overall cost of living also below the national average, more than half of residents are homeowners. A balance of both new builds, including mixed-use residential spaces, and older homes are available to fit varying budgets and lifestyles.

Wyoming Schools

Wyoming Public Schools runs public education from preschool through high school. The Wolves receive plenty of community support including up-to-date technology, athletics, and arts programming, such as the Wyoming Theater Company. Higher education opportunities in nearby Grand Rapids include Kendall College of Art + Design, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University Pew Campus, Ferris State, Western Michigan University, and Michigan State University.

Resources for Moving to Wyoming

Register with Wyoming for water/sewer service. Residents select from a list of licensed haulers for trash, recycling, and yard-waste collection. Consumers Energy provides electricity and for gas try Just Energy or DTE Energy.

With quality schools, an energetic jobs market, plenty of parks, and great transportation, Wyoming is a great fit for young professionals, growing families, empty nesters, and retirees.