City · Michigan
East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing, city, mostly in Ingham County (94.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Clinton County, Michigan. East Lansing had 49,355 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 47,741 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 45,758 (±407). GEOID 2624120.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
49,355
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 47,741 · ACS 2020-2024: 45,758 ±407
Median household income
$45,687
±$3,696 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$270,800
±$15,030 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,171
±$42 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is East Lansing and what county is it in?
East Lansing is a city mostly in Ingham County (94.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Clinton County, Michigan. It covers 13.4 square miles of land, 3,555 residents per square mile in 2020.
East Lansing is in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ingham County | 45,264 | 94.8% |
| Clinton County | 2,477 | 5.2% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in East Lansing, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 49,355 people lived in East Lansing on July 1, 2025, up 2.6% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 47,741 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 45,758 (±407).
| Measure | East Lansing | Ingham County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 45,758 ±407 | 283,913 | −2,971 |
| Households | 13,850 ±574 | 117,096 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.18 ±0.08 | 2.27 | −0.21 |
| Housing units | 15,638 ±556 | 126,232 | no clear change |
East Lansing's population since 2000
From 46,525 in 2000 to 49,355 in 2025: up 6.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for East Lansing as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in East Lansing?
The median resident of East Lansing is 21.3 years old; 9.2% are under 18 and 9.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 71.5%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 8.9%. 11.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | East Lansing | Ingham County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 21.3 ±0.2 | 33.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 9.2% ±0.9 pts | 19.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 9.0% ±1.1 pts | 14.9% | – |
| Male | 48.0% ±1.7 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.6% ±1.0 pts | 8.7% | +1.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 71.5% ±1.7 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.6% ±1.3 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 8.9% ±1.2 pts | 6.2% | −3.6 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.9% ±0.9 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.5% ±1.3 pts | 9.4% | −2.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 15.9% ±1.6 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 1.9% ±0.6 pts | 4.7% | – |
| With a disability | 11.3% ±1.9 pts | 13.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.5% ±1.2 pts | 4.9% | +1.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 98.4% ±0.6 pts | 93.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 66.6% ±3.3 pts | 41.2% | −5.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 39.2% ±3.2 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 59.5% ±2.5 pts | 81.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.5% ±1.0 pts | 2.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in East Lansing earn?
Half of East Lansing's 13,850 households earn less than $45,687 a year (±$3,696), against $65,526 in Ingham County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $49,064 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 33.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | East Lansing | Ingham County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $45,687 ±$3,696 | $65,526 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $87,364 ±$9,629 | $89,065 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,335 ±$3,077 | $37,723 | +$4,348 |
| People below the poverty line | 33.0% ±2.8 pts | 16.7% | −8.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.9% ±4.7 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.0% ±1.2 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.2% ±0.6 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.5% ±1.9 pts | 90.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in East Lansing?
Owners occupy 38.5% of East Lansing's occupied homes and renters 61.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $270,800 by its owner (±$15,030). The median renter pays $1,171 a month including utilities, and 66.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | East Lansing | Ingham County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $270,800 ±$15,030 | $198,800 | +$33,522 |
| Median gross rent | $1,171 ±$42 | $1,084 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 66.1% ±4.2 pts | 44.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,940 ±$132 | $1,501 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 38.5% ±3.0 pts | 59.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 61.5% ±3.0 pts | 40.5% | – |
| Housing units | 15,638 ±556 | 126,232 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.5% ±2.3 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.8% ±2.9 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 36.3% ±3.2 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.8% ±1.6 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.7% ±1.8 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 13.2% ±2.7 pts | 8.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is East Lansing building?
Builders took permits for 5 new housing units in East Lansing in 2025 (5 in single-family houses), 0.1 per 1,000 residents against 2.3 across Michigan.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in East Lansing work and get to work?
47.7% of East Lansing's workers drive alone and 21.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.
| Measure | East Lansing | Ingham County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.6% ±2.2 pts | 64.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% ±1.5 pts | 6.2% | −2.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 47.7% ±3.0 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.8% ±1.1 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 4.7% ±1.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Walked | 16.6% ±2.4 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 21.0% ±2.5 pts | 17.3% | +16.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.2 min ±0.9 | 20.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in East Lansing?
16 census tracts lie mostly in East Lansing, and 8 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $16,936 (Tract 43.02) to $118,565 (Tract 39.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 41Ingham County | 4,690 | $22,045 |
| Tract 39.02Ingham County | 3,833 | $53,988 |
| Tract 38.02Ingham County | 3,763 | $45,123 |
| Tract 44.92Ingham County | 3,433 | not published |
| Tract 44.90Ingham County | 3,326 | not published |
| Tract 43.01Ingham County | 4,468 | $59,750 |
| Tract 40Ingham County | 4,069 | $37,204 |
| Tract 44.94Ingham County | 3,049 | not published |
| Tract 38.01Ingham County | 3,840 | $90,625 |
| Tract 44.03Ingham County | 2,547 | $41,607 |
| Tract 39.01Ingham County | 2,432 | $118,565 |
| Tract 43.02Ingham County | 2,593 | $16,936 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in East Lansing) · Census block assignment files
How does East Lansing compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, East Lansing is the 838th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 26th-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
East Lansing ranks 1,277th of 1,354 places in Michigan with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 26th | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 302nd | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 51st | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 1,277th | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 1,068th | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 313th | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 296th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 21st | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31st | 1,350 |
| Median age | 1,354th | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,350th | 1,356 |
| Work from home | 91st | 1,062 |
| Travel time to work | 1,302nd | 1,356 |
East Lansing's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare East Lansing with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for East Lansing?
6 of the 57 figures for East Lansing on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for East Lansing are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in East Lansing.