East Lansing, MI Demographics

A map of East Lansing's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	32,700	33,331	71.5%	69.8%
Asian	4,089	4,202	8.9%	8.8%
Black	3,460	5,732	7.6%	12.0%
Hispanic	3,008	2,477	6.6%	5.2%
Multiracial	2,264	1,651	4.9%	3.5%
Native American/Other	237	348	0.5%	0.7%

East Lansing, Michigan has an estimated population of 45,758, a decrease from the 47,741 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 71.5% White, 8.9% Asian, 7.6% Black, 6.6% Hispanic, 4.9% Multiracial, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of East Lansing, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

East Lansing has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Michigan overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In East Lansing, that probability was 48.6% in 2020 and 46.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

East Lansing is ranked the 27th most populous place in Michigan, out of 745 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). East Lansing was ranked the 26th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

East Lansing's White Population

32,700 residents of East Lansing, or 71.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in East Lansing is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. East Lansing ranks 665th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Lansing's White population has declined by an estimated 1.9%. White residents' share of East Lansing's population has increased from 69.8% to 71.5%.

East Lansing is more White than neighboring Okemos (61.3% White), Lansing (50.6% White), and Edgemont Park (65.6% White). East Lansing is less White than neighboring Bath (90.4% White), and Haslett (75.7% White).

East Lansing's Black Population

3,460 residents of East Lansing, or 7.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in East Lansing is lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. East Lansing ranks 59th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Lansing's Black population has declined by an estimated 39.6%. Black residents' share of East Lansing's population has decreased from 12.0% to 7.6%.

East Lansing is more Black than neighboring Bath (1.1% Black), Haslett (4% Black), and Okemos (3.5% Black). East Lansing is less Black than neighboring Lansing (21.9% Black), and Edgemont Park (18.4% Black).

East Lansing's Asian Population

4,089 residents of East Lansing, or 8.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in East Lansing is higher than in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. East Lansing ranks 14th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Lansing's Asian population has declined by an estimated 2.7%. Asian residents' share of East Lansing's population has remained roughly unchanged at 8.9%.

East Lansing is more Asian than neighboring Bath (1.7% Asian), Haslett (6.5% Asian), Lansing (5.3% Asian), and Edgemont Park (0% Asian). East Lansing is less Asian than neighboring Okemos (19.5% Asian).

East Lansing's Hispanic Population

3,008 residents of East Lansing, or 6.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in East Lansing is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. East Lansing ranks 173rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Lansing's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 21.4%. Hispanic residents' share of East Lansing's population has increased from 5.2% to 6.6%.

East Lansing is more Hispanic than neighboring Bath (4.1% Hispanic), Haslett (6.4% Hispanic), Okemos (6.4% Hispanic), and Edgemont Park (5.3% Hispanic). East Lansing is less Hispanic than neighboring Lansing (12.9% Hispanic).

East Lansing's Native American/Other Population

237 residents of East Lansing, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in East Lansing is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. East Lansing ranks 386th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Lansing's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 31.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of East Lansing's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

East Lansing is more Native American/Other than neighboring Bath (0% Native American/Other), Haslett (0.3% Native American/Other), and Edgemont Park (0% Native American/Other). East Lansing is less Native American/Other than neighboring Okemos (1.5% Native American/Other), and Lansing (1.4% Native American/Other).

East Lansing's Multiracial Population

2,264 residents of East Lansing, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in East Lansing is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. East Lansing ranks 528th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Lansing's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 37.1%. Multiracial residents' share of East Lansing's population has increased from 3.5% to 4.9%.

East Lansing is more Multiracial than neighboring Bath (2.6% Multiracial). East Lansing is less Multiracial than neighboring Haslett (7% Multiracial), Okemos (7.7% Multiracial), Lansing (7.8% Multiracial), and Edgemont Park (10.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.