East Lansing, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Lansing, Michigan had a total population of 45,758, the 27th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $45,687, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 66.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Michigan.
East Lansing Quick Facts
How East Lansing Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,394 | 45,758 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $43,547 | $45,687 | +4.9% |
| Median home value | $251,600 | $270,800 | +7.6% |
How East Lansing Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
East Lansing Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Ingham County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lansing | 113,023 | $54,382 | 20.1% | $128,700 |
| Okemos | 26,396 | $102,612 | 14.5% | $359,200 |
| Holt | 25,316 | $86,472 | 11.3% | $226,400 |
| Haslett | 18,559 | $74,031 | 10.4% | $286,100 |
| Mason | 8,249 | $79,117 | 5.3% | $198,000 |
| Williamston | 3,807 | $71,379 | 9.2% | $226,800 |
| Edgemont Park | 2,551 | $62,543 | 13.5% | $162,400 |
| Leslie | 2,129 | $73,654 | 12.9% | $149,700 |
| Stockbridge | 1,383 | $49,545 | 8.2% | $192,500 |
| Webberville | 1,375 | $57,679 | 18.7% | $162,100 |
Cities Similar to East Lansing
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw | 43,536 | $38,579 | $60,000 | 13.3% | 34.0% |
| Roseville | 47,123 | $62,182 | $155,800 | 15.5% | 12.5% |
| Muskegon | 37,226 | $44,735 | $142,300 | 15.5% | 24.9% |
| Battle Creek | 52,374 | $55,693 | $141,900 | 21.9% | 17.6% |
| Lincoln Park | 39,257 | $58,616 | $131,000 | 11.5% | 21.5% |
Population Overview
East Lansing is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Ingham County. The total population is 45,758. It ranks as the 27th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Lansing is 21.3 years. This is 47% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 9.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Lansing is $45,687. This is 37% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.0%. This is 150% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $270,800. Housing costs are 17% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 38.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in East Lansing is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 8.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.9% vs 3.4%).
Education
66.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places East Lansing in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 105% higher than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.4%. Notably, 39.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Lansing, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of East Lansing, Michigan?
East Lansing, Michigan has a population of 45,758 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Lansing, MI?
The median household income in East Lansing is $45,687, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Lansing, MI?
The poverty rate in East Lansing is 33.0%. This means approximately 10,028 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Lansing, Michigan?
East Lansing's population is 71.5% White, 7.6% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Lansing, MI?
The median home value in East Lansing is $270,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is East Lansing, Michigan?
66.6% of adults (25+) in East Lansing hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 39.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.