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Lansing, MI

Frequently asked questions

Lansing, MI

Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan and the most populous city in Ingham County. It is mostly in the county, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, making it the sixth most populous city in Michigan. The population of its metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was 541,297 at the 2020 census, the third largest in the state after metropolitan Detroit and Grand Rapids. It was named the new state capital of Michigan in 1847, ten years after Michigan became a state.

The Lansing metropolitan area, colloquially referred to as "Mid-Michigan", is an important center for educational, cultural, governmental, commercial, and industrial functions. Neighboring East Lansing is home to Michigan State University, a public research university with an enrollment of more than 50,000. The area features two medical schools, one veterinary school, two nursing schools, and two law schools. It is the site of the Michigan State Capitol, the state Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, a federal court, the Library of Michigan and Historical Center, and the headquarters of four national insurance companies. Lansing is the only U.S. state capital (among the 47 located in counties) that is not also a county seat. The seat of government of Ingham County is Mason, but the county maintains some offices in Lansing.

Lansing is the centerpiece of a region of Michigan known as Mid-Michigan.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.68 square miles (95.00 km2), of which 36.05 square miles (93.37 km2) is land and 0.63 square miles (1.63 km2) is water. This figure includes two 425 Agreements with Alaiedon Township and Meridian Township, and the four 425 Agreements with Delta Township since 2000.

Since the 2010 census, the city has entered into two additional 425 Agreements. The first agreement consisted of the temporary transfer of 1,888.2 acres of Lansing Capital Region International Airport to the city from DeWitt Township in 2011. The second agreement consisted of the temporary transfer of 41 acres (17 ha) in Alaiedon Township for the expansion of the headquarters of Jackson National Life Insurance Company in 2013 bringing the area either fully or conditionally under the control of the city to 39.69 square miles (102.80 km2). 

Under Michigan law, 425 Agreements are only temporary land-sharing agreements and do not count as official annexations. The Census Bureau, however, for statistical purposes does count these as annexations. Not counting the temporary 425 Agreements, Lansing administers 34.1 square miles (88 km2) in total.

Lansing is located in the south-central part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, where the Grand River meets the Red Cedar River. The city occupies most of what had formerly been part of Lansing Charter Township. It has also annexed adjacent tracts of land in Delta Charter Township and Windsor Township in Eaton County to the west, Delhi Charter Township in Ingham County to the south, and in DeWitt Charter Township in Clinton County to the north. The city also controls three non-contiguous tracts of land through 425 Agreements (conditional land transfer agreements) with Meridian Charter Township, Delta Charter Township, and Alaiedon Township in Ingham County to the southeast. It is also located between the state's two largest cities, Detroit and Grand Rapids.

Lansing elevations range between 890 feet (271 m) above sea level on the far south side of Lansing along Northrup Street near the Cedar Street intersection, to 833 feet (254 m) to 805.5 feet (246 m) above sea level along the Grand River.

The Grand River, the largest river in Michigan, flows through downtown Lansing, and the Red Cedar River, a tributary of the Grand, flows through the campus of Michigan State University to its confluence with the Grand in Lansing. Sycamore Creek, a tributary of the Red Cedar, flows northward through the southeastern part of the city. There are two lakes in the area, Park Lake and Lake Lansing, both northeast of the city. Lake Lansing is approximately 500 acres (2.0 km2) in size and is a summer favorite for swimmers, boaters, and fishermen. Michigan State University Sailing Club and the Lansing Sailing Club are located on Lake Lansing, where sailing regattas are hosted throughout the summer.

The City of Lansing operates a total of 3.55 square miles (9.2 km2) of parkland, of which 2.80 square miles (7.3 km2) is parkland, 0.43 square miles (1.1 km2) are golf lands, and 0.31 square miles (0.80 km2) are cemetery lands. However, this figure includes the Waverly Hills Golf Course and adjacent Michigan Avenue Park, whose 0.18 square miles (0.47 km2) are located within neighboring Lansing Township, but operated by the City of Lansing, and does not include the 0.18 square miles (0.47 km2) of the combined Hawk Island County Park and adjacent Soldan Dog Park operated by Ingham County within the city of Lansing. Together then, 3.55 square miles (9.2 km2) of the city (or approximately 10%) is publicly administered open space.

Lansing places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. The Lansing Community College Fitness Center provides state-of-the-art gym equipment, fitness classes, and personal training services to support individuals in achieving their fitness goals. For those interested in mindfulness and stress relief, the Yoga Connect offers meditation classes and workshops focused on relaxation techniques and mental well-being. The Lansing Parks and Recreation Department organizes fitness programs, sports leagues, and wellness events throughout the year, catering to individuals of all ages and abilities. Moreover, the YMCA of Lansing provides comprehensive health and wellness facilities, including swimming pools, group exercise classes, and youth programs, promoting holistic well-being for the whole family. Lansing also boasts several yoga studios, such as Just B Yoga and Hilltop Yoga, offering a variety of yoga styles and levels to suit individual preferences. Together, these initiatives contribute to creating a healthy and active lifestyle for residents of Lansing, MI.

Top sites in Lansing, MI are Potter Park Zoo, Impression 5 Science Center, and Michigan History Center.

Population: 114,336 (2024). ZIP codes: 48901, 48906, 48908, 48913, 48915, 48919, 48921, 48922, 48924, 48929, 48930, 48933, 48937, 48950, 48951, 48956. Area code: 517. Elevation: 853 ft (260 m). Area: 39.78 sq mi (103.03 km2).

FAQs

What is Lansing, MI famous for?

Lansing is the capital of Michigan and was the birthplace of Oldsmobile. The city is bookended by the majestic and historic State Capitol Building and the campus of Michigan State University. The Grand River and Lansing's 20-mile River Trail bisect the downtown from Old Town to REO Town and beyond.

What is the crime rate in Lansing, MI?

With a crime rate of 40 per one thousand residents, Lansing has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 25. Within Michigan, more than 96% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Lansing. In fact, after researching dangerous places to live, NeighborhoodScout found Lansing to be one of the top 100 most dangerous cities in the U.S.A.

What are the demographics of Lansing, MI?

Lansing is a city located in Clinton County, Eaton County, Ingham County, and Ionia County Michigan. Lansing has a 2024 population of 111,964. Lansing is currently declining at a rate of -0.13% annually and its population has decreased by -0.53% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 112,566 in 2020. According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Lansing was White: 58.17%, Black or African American: 23.72%, Two or more races: 9.76%, Asian: 4.97%, Other race: 2.97%, Native American: 0.41%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Lansing

Michigan

Neighborhood Scout

World Population Review

Potter Park Zoo

Impression 5 Science Center

Michigan History Center

McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital

Lansing Community College Fitness Center

Yoga Connect

Lansing Parks and Recreation Department

YMCA of Lansing

Just B Yoga

Hilltop Yoga

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