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CITY · 2020 ACS

East Lansing

Michigan · 47,741 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 $40,800. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $194,100. At a median age of 21.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 31% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 21.8
US median: 38.8
More educated
69% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 10%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
47,741
+3%since 2000
from 46,525 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,555 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 3,464 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
21.8
Unchangedsince 2000
from 21.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
45K46K48K50K51K1990201020202024East Lansing
202446K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,800
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,217 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,948
+47%since 2000
from $16,333 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.9%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 23.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
37.9%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 34.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information8.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade3.5%
US avg: 10%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance1.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Wholesale trade1%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$194,100
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $144,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$969
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $578 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
35.5%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 32.0% in 2000
64.5% rent
Afford Score
4.8
−7%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic69.8%(33,331)
Black12%(5,732)
Hispanic / Latino5.2%(2,477)
Asian8.8%(4,202)
Other4.3%(2,039)
Diversity Score60.8%(29,048)
Diversity Score
61
+50%since 2000
from 41 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
69.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 70.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 96.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
40.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 39.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.4 min
+56%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
53.0%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 55.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.0%
+3.8 ptssince 2011
from 51.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
47.6%
−27.1 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
13.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.2%
−89.6 ptssince 2013
from 93.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare East Lansing to nearby cities

EAST LANSING VS
Haslett
Income$74,031+81%
Home value$286,100+47%
Population18,559−62%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST LANSING VS
Okemos
Income$102,612+152%
Home value$359,200+85%
Population26,396−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST LANSING VS
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Income$54,382+33%
Home value$128,700−34%
Population113,884+131%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST LANSING VS
Waverly
Income$75,700+86%
Home value$234,600+21%
Population23,575−52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in East Lansing, Michigan?

East Lansing, Michigan has about 47,741 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in East Lansing, Michigan earns about $40,800 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 $194,100, and the typical rent is about $969 a month.

How educated are people in East Lansing, Michigan?

About 69.4% 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 37.9% 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 2,936 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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

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