East Lansing, MI

Census Place

Add Comparison
2024 Population
45,758
US Senator
Gary Peters
Democratic Party
US Senator
Elissa Slotkin
Democratic Party
2024 Poverty Rate
33%
3.29% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$45,687
4.91% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$270,800
7.63% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
21,503
0.172% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in East Lansing, MI reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

92.5% of the residents in East Lansing, MI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in East Lansing, MI are Michigan State University (13,239 degrees awarded in 2023) and Douglas J Aveda Institute (801 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in East Lansing, MI was $270,800, and the homeownership rate was 38.5%.

Most people in East Lansing, MI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.2 minutes. The average car ownership in East Lansing, MI was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Michigan State Capitol Rotunda, Lansing, MI

Population & Diversity

East Lansing, MI is home to a population of 45.8k people, from which 92.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 11.3% of East Lansing, MI residents were born outside of the country (5.19k people).

In 2024, there were 8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (32.7k people) in East Lansing, MI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.09k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 3.46k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Citizenship

92.5%
2024 Citizenship
92.8%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 92.5% of East Lansing, MI residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in East Lansing, MI was 92.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in East Lansing, MI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

View Data
Save Image

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in East Lansing, MI
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    32.7k ± 787
  2. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    4.09k ± 536
  3. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    3.46k ± 598
6.57%
Hispanic Population
3.01k people

In 2024, there were 8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (32.7k people) in East Lansing, MI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.09k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 3.46k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

6.57% of the people in East Lansing, MI are hispanic (3.01k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in East Lansing, MI as a share of the total population.

View Data
Save Image

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Michigan.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    80,580 ± 6,941 people
  2. India
    77,204 ± 6,795 people
  3. Iraq
    54,457 ± 5,714 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Michigan was Mexico, the natal country of 80,580 Michigan residents, followed by India with 77,204 and Iraq with 54,457.

View Data
Save Image

Foreign-Born Population

11.3%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
5.19k people
10.5%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
4.79k people

As of 2024, 11.3% of East Lansing, MI residents (5.19k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in East Lansing, MI was 10.5%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in East Lansing, MI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

View Data
Save Image

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    262 ± 129
  2. Korea
    235 ± 201
  3. Gulf War (2001-)
    139 ± 96

East Lansing, MI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.11 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in East Lansing, MI.

View Data
Save Image

Economy

The economy of East Lansing, MI employs 21.5k people. In 2024, the largest industries in East Lansing, MI were Educational Services (7,273 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,274 people), and Retail Trade (2,063 people), and the highest paying industries were Public Administration ($61,522), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($58,065), and Finance & Insurance ($44,167).

Occupations

21.5k
2024 Value
± 1,237
−0.172%
1 Year decline
± 7.75%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in East Lansing, MI declined at a rate of −0.172%, from 21.5k employees to 21.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in East Lansing, MI, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (3,433 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,614 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,049 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of East Lansing, MI.

View Data
Save Image

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Michigan (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Data
Save Image

Employment by Industries

21.5k
2024 Value
± 1,237
−0.172%
1 Year decline
± 7.75%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in East Lansing, MI declined at a rate of −0.172%, from 21.5k employees to 21.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in East Lansing, MI, are Educational Services (7,273 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,274 people), and Retail Trade (2,063 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of East Lansing, MI, though some of these residents may live in East Lansing, MI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

View Data
Save Image

Median Earnings by Industry

$25,450
Median earning men ± $3,775
$11,714
Median earning women ± $1,190

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($91,667), Public Administration ($77,841), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($66,250).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($52,324), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($30,238), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($24,558).

View Data
Save Image

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.
Y-Axis
2.16%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.37M people employed in Michigan. This represents a 2.16% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 23.6%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Michigan.

View Data
Save Image

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Michigan went to Donald J. Trump with 49.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.3%), followed by Jill Stein (0.788%).

Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin are the senators currently representing the state of Michigan. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Michigan is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

US Senators from Michigan

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.
Gary Peters
Senator from Michigan2
Assumed office on January 3, 2015
Elissa Slotkin
Senator from Michigan1
Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin are the senators currently representing Michigan.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Michigan over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

View Data
Save Image

Education

In 2023, universities in East Lansing, MI awarded 14,040 degrees. The student population of East Lansing, MI in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 24,348 male students and 27,790 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in East Lansing, MI are White (9,529 and 74.1%), Black or African American (992 and 7.71%), Asian (894 and 6.95%), and Hispanic or Latino (733 and 5.7%).

The largest universities in East Lansing, MI by number of degrees awarded are Michigan State University (13,239 and 94.3%) and Douglas J Aveda Institute (801 and 5.71%).

The most popular majors in East Lansing, MI are General Psychology (521 and 3.71%), General Biological Sciences (520 and 3.7%), and Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (448 and 3.19%).

The median tuition cost in East Lansing, MI for a public four year colleges is $16,930 for in-state students and $43,700 for out-of-state students.

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in East Lansing, MI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 83.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 19.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 52,138 (46.7% men and 53.3% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

View Data
Save Image

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 52,138 students enrolled in East Lansing, MI, 46.7% men and 53.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 33,690 records, of which 54.3% were women and 45.7% men.

View Data
Save Image

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. 516 degrees awarded
  2. 496 degrees awarded
  3. 417 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in East Lansing, MI was General Biological Sciences with 516 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in East Lansing, MI according to their major.

View Data
Save Image

Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. 13,239 degrees awarded
  2. 801 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Michigan State University with 13,239 degrees awarded.

View Data
Save Image

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 6,059 men were awarded degrees from institutions in East Lansing, MI, which is 0.759 times less than the 7,981 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 9,529 degrees mean that there were 9.61 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 992 degrees awarded.

View Data
Save Image

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($16,930) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($340) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,254) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

View Data
Save Image

Housing & Living

The median property value in East Lansing, MI was $270,800 in 2024, which is 0.814 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $251,600 to $270,800, a 7.63% increase. The homeownership rate in East Lansing, MI is 38.5%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in East Lansing, MI have an average commute time of 16.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in East Lansing, MI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Property

$270,800
Median Property Value 2024
±$15,030
$5,339
Median Property Taxes
±$485

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In East Lansing, MI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in East Lansing, MI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Rent vs Own

38.5%
Homeownership
2024
62.1%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 38.5% of the housing units in East Lansing, MI were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 38.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in East Lansing, MI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

View Data
Save Image

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$45,687
Median Household Income
± $3,696
13.9k
Number of Households
± 970

In 2024, the median household income of the 13.9k households in East Lansing, MI grew to $45,687 from the previous year's value of $43,547.

The following chart displays the households in East Lansing, MI distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

View Data
Save Image

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for East Lansing, MI is from Michigan.
0.462
2023 Wage GINI in Michigan
0.466
2022 Wage GINI in Michigan

In 2023, the income inequality in Michigan was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.92% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Michigan was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Michigan in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Michigan across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

View Data
Save Image

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (47.7%)
  2. Worked At Home (21%)
  3. Walked (16.6%)

In 2024, 47.7% of workers in East Lansing, MI drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (21%) and those who walked to work (16.6%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

View Data
Save Image

Commute Time

16.2 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in East Lansing, MI have a shorter commute time (16.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0.441% of the workforce in East Lansing, MI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in East Lansing, MI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in East Lansing, MI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in East Lansing, MI have 2 cars.

View Data
Save Image

Poverty & Diversity

33% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in East Lansing, MI (10k out of 30.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in East Lansing, MI is White, followed by Asian and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

View Data
Save Image

Health

93.5% of the population of East Lansing, MI has health coverage, with 62.4% on employee plans, 7.46% on Medicaid, 7.17% on Medicare, 16% on non-group plans, and 0.452% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Michigan see 1,276 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,276 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1246 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 281 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.6% under 18 years, 56.6% between 18 and 34 years, 14.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 8.37% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

View Data
Save Image

Uninsured People

6.49%
Uninsured
62.4%
Employer Coverage
7.46%
Medicaid
7.17%
Medicare
16%
Non-Group
0.452%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in East Lansing, MI grew by 4.44% from 6.21% to 6.49%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in East Lansing, MI changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

View Data
Save Image