City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Lansing, MI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Lansing - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

112,546
Residents
$52,170
Median income
$119,400
Median home
$1,268
Median rent (state)

Lansing - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Lansing places in the 23rd percentile for household income and the 8th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

23rd
percentile, household income
17th
percentile, home value
42nd
percentile, median rent
8th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Lansing, MI

Michigan's Lansing is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 112,546 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Lansing brings in $52,170 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.8%. Home values in Lansing run a median of $119,400, and the median resident age is 33.5 years. Educational attainment runs 29.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 62.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 212 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Slowing), down 21% from five years earlier. Lansing's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 3844.1 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Michigan scores 96.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,268 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 17.1 minutes, with 67.3% driving alone and 13.2% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 87.2 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

112,546 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$52,170 /yr

Poverty 14.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Lansing compare to other US cities?

Here's how Lansing stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 23% higher than other cities
Home value 17% pricier than other cities
Median rent 42% pricier than other cities
Safety 8% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Michigan and the picture shifts: Lansing ranks #237 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Lansing's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Michigan, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

23rdIncome percentile
8thSafety percentile

23rd percentile nationally for median household income · 8th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lansing's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lansing's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 34 Avg. percentile National median
Lansing's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Lansing's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$119,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 83% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Lansing $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Lansing, MI Lansing, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lansing, MI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Lansing, MI median $52,170/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Lansing, MI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Lansing, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
112,546
Median Income
$52,170
Median Home Value
$119,400
Median Age
33.5
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Labor force participation
62.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3844.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1345.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2499.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
42
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
112,000 residents112,500 residents113,000 residents113,500 residents114,000 residents114,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 112,562 residents 113,884 residents ▲ +1.2%
Lansing's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
212
housing units authorized
Single-Family
26
detached homes
Multifamily
186
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 269
2020 315
2021 362
2022 255
2023 225
2024 212

Permit volume decreased 21% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.1 minutes
Drive Alone
67.3%
Carpool
11.5%
Public Transit
3.3%
Walk
2.4%
Work from Home
13.2%
Other
2.3%

Based on 54,789 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Michigan - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Michigan state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Lansing sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,268/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Dearborn
107,846 people
Ann Arbor
121,179 people
Livonia
94,058 people
Sterling Heights
133,473 people
Troy
87,307 people
Warren
138,128 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lansing's 112,546 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Las Cruces, NM
112,612 people
Gresham, OR
112,818 people
Pompano Beach, FL
112,212 people
Peoria, IL
112,126 people
Downey, CA
111,793 people
Murrieta, CA
111,621 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lansing's $52,170 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fayetteville, PA
$52,165 median income
Shelbina, MO
$52,176 median income
Birchwood Lakes, PA
$52,164 median income
Pocomoke City, MD
$52,163 median income
Aberdeen, WA
$52,181 median income
Page Park, FL
$52,153 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lansing, MI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Lansing, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 56.1% 23.4% 11.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 12.9% White 56.1% Black or African American 23.4% Asian 5.3% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.2% Two or more races 11.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Lansing compares to nearby Michigan cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Lansing (this city) 112,546 $52,170
Dearborn 107,846 $65,192
Ann Arbor 121,179 $81,089
Livonia 94,058 $96,317
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lansing, MI?

What is the population of Lansing, MI? +

112,546 people live in Lansing, MI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Lansing, MI? +

Lansing households earn a median of $52,170 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lansing? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Lansing; the closest available measure is the Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

Is Lansing, MI safe? +

Lansing has a total crime rate of 3844.1 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Lansing, MI? +

Lansing's median home value sits at $119,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.