Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

East Lansing, MI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

CSALansing-East Lansing-Owosso MSALansing-East Lansing#2/26 Population

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

45,758

Median Agei

21.3

Race & Ethnicityi

White

71.5%32,700

Asian

8.9%4,089

Black

7.6%3,460

Hispanic/Latino

6.6%3,008

Two or More

4.9%2,264

Other

0.3%156

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%81

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

1.6%233

High School Diploma

10.9%1,612

Some College (<1 yr)

4%587

Some College (1+ yr)

10.1%1,496

Associate's Degree

5.2%767

Bachelor's Degree

27.4%4,041

Master's Degree

19.8%2,920

Professional Degree

6.9%1,013

Doctorate

12.6%1,859

HS or Higher

98.4%

BA or Higher

66.6%

Graduate+

39.2%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$270,800

Median Renti

$1,171

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

38.5%5,339

Renter-Occupied

61.5%8,511

Total Units

15,638

Homeownership

38.5%

Vacancy Rate

11.4%

Home Values

Under $50K

0.8%42

$50K–$100K

0.8%45

$100K–$150K

7.5%401

$150K–$200K

13.1%697

$200K–$300K

36.9%1,972

$300K–$500K

31.2%1,664

$500K–$1M

9.4%500

$1M+

0.3%18

Rent Distribution

Under $500

190

$500–$750

518

$750–$1,000

2,202

$1,000–$1,250

1,926

$1,250–$1,500

1,258

$1,500–$2,000

1,499

$2,000+

861

Year Built

2020 or later

0.4%60

2010–2019

9.8%1,534

2000–2009

10.6%1,653

1990–1999

10%1,570

1980–1989

9.8%1,539

1970–1979

19.4%3,032

1960–1969

12.4%1,945

1950–1959

12.8%1,997

1940–1949

5%788

1939 or earlier

9.7%1,520

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

65.3%9,049

Electricity

31.7%4,391

Bottled/LP Gas

2.2%304

No Fuel

0.5%67

Other

0.1%20

Wood

0.1%19

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$45,687

Mean Household Incomei

$87,364

Per Capita Incomei

$30,335

Poverty Ratei

21.9%

Unemploymenti

6.6%

Labor Forcei

23,049

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

13.8%1,905

$10K–$15K

7.5%1,044

$15K–$20K

4.9%683

$20K–$25K

3.9%534

$25K–$30K

5.9%824

$30K–$35K

4.2%575

$35K–$40K

4.7%654

$40K–$45K

4.6%642

$45K–$50K

3.2%450

$50K–$60K

5.8%810

$60K–$75K

5.4%753

$75K–$100K

7.3%1,006

$100K–$125K

7%965

$125K–$150K

4.8%661

$150K–$200K

8.1%1,128

$200K+

8.8%1,216

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

20,945

Avg. Commutei

16.2 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

789(1.9% of civilian adults)