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

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

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

45,758population

21.3median age

This community is a community of 45,758 with a median age of 21.3. The population is predominantly White (71.5%) with a significant Asian community (8.9%). Median household income is $45,687. 98.4% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 66.6% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 38.5%, with a median home value of $270,800.

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

$270,800median home value

$1,171median rent

38.5%homeownership

15,638total units

11.4%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 38.5%

Renter 61.5%

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

Household Economyi

$45,687median household income

$30,335per capita income

21.9%poverty rate

6.6%unemployment

23,049labor force

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%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

5,26511.5%

By Region

Top Countries

China

1,299

India

592

Korea

254

Canada

244

Mexico

189

Germany

123

United Kingdom

110

Poland

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

20,945

Avg. Commutei

16.2 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

21,503

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

789(1.9% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

93.5%Insured

6.5%Uninsured