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CITY · 2010 ACS

East Lansing

Michigan · 48,579 residents · 13.431 sq mi
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The short version

East Lansing has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $31,167. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $189,800. At a median age of 21.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 36% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 21.6
US median: 37.2
More educated
68% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
48,579
+4%since 2000
from 46,525 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,617 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 3,464 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
21.6
Unchangedsince 2000
from 21.7 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
45K46K48K50K51K1990201020202024East Lansing
202446K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,167
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,217 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,765
+3%since 2000
from $16,333 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
25.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
40.2%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 34.8% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.579
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information8.5%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services4%
US avg: 7%
Retail trade2.8%
US avg: 10.9%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Wholesale trade1.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance0.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical0.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$189,800
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $144,100 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$769
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $578 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
24.1%
−7.9 ptssince 2000
from 32.0% in 2000
66.5% rent
Vacancy rate
15.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
24.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 22.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
63.3%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 66.1% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.1
+19%since 2000
from 5.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in East Lansing on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.4%(36,919)
Black7.3%(3,410)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(1,252)
Asian8.2%(3,814)
Other0%
Diversity Score40.6%(18,907)
2010
White, non-Hispanic76.3%(37,086)
Black6.7%(3,249)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(1,643)
Asian10.5%(5,118)
Other2.8%(1,366)
Diversity Score49.6%(24,094)
Diversity Score
50
+22%since 2000
from 41 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
68.2%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 70.4% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
97.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 96.9% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
35.4%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 39.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.5 min
+47%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
50.8%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 55.4% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
5.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
8.1%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
26.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 25.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
5.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
11.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
27.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 26.0% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
43.6%
−31.0 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
52.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
14.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
3.1%
−45.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Pop 51,737
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Pop 48,127
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Head to head

Compare East Lansing to nearby cities

EAST LANSING VS
Haslett
Income$74,031+138%
Home value$286,100+51%
Population18,559−62%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST LANSING VS
Okemos
Income$102,612+229%
Home value$359,200+89%
Population26,396−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST LANSING VS
Lansing
Income$54,382+74%
Home value$128,700−32%
Population113,884+131%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST LANSING VS
Waverly
Income$75,700+143%
Home value$234,600+24%
Population23,575−52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in East Lansing, Michigan?

East Lansing, Michigan has about 48,579 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in East Lansing, Michigan?

The typical household in East Lansing, Michigan earns about $31,167 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is East Lansing, Michigan expensive?

In East Lansing, Michigan, the median home is worth about $189,800, and the typical rent is about $769 a month.

How educated are people in East Lansing, Michigan?

About 68.2% of adults age 25 and over in East Lansing, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in East Lansing, Michigan?

About 40.2% of people in East Lansing, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has East Lansing, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, East Lansing, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,098 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

East Lansing, Michigan (2010): demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy