Lansing, Michigan
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Lansing is the capital city of the U.S. state of Michigan, located mostly in Ingham County; a small portion extends into adjacent Eaton County. As of the 2000 census, it has a population of 119,128.
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Geography
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The place is located in the south central part of the lower peninsula 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 and Delhi Charter Township in Ingham County to the south. The city also controls two non-contiguous tracts of land through conditional land transfer agreements with Meridian Charter Township and Alaiedon Township in Ingham County to the southeast.
To the east is the city of East Lansing, the home of Michigan State University. Founded as an agricultural institution, the school thrived on the plentiful, fertile, well irrigated land. Largely comprised of rolling plains, Lansing's and its surrounding areas have many farms, forests, and meadows. There are only two lakes in the area, Park Lake and Lake Lansing, both northeast of the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 91.3 km² (35.2 mi²). 90.8 km² (35.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.57% water.
Demographics
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As of the census2 of 2000, there are 119,128 people, 49,505 households, and 28,366 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,312.3/km² (3,399.0/mi²). There are 53,159 housing units at an average density of 585.6/km² (1,516.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 65.28% White, 21.91% African American, 0.80% Native American, 2.83% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.54% from other races, and 4.60% from two or more races. 9.98% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 49,505 households out of which 30.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% are married couples living together, 17.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% are non-families. 33.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 3.08.
In the city the population is spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $34,833, and the median income for a family is $41,283. Males have a median income of $32,648 versus $27,051 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,924. 16.9% of the population and 13.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 23.2% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
- 1847 - The state capital is moved from Detroit to Lansing Township.
- 1859 - The City of Lansing is officially incorporated.
- 1879 - New State Capitol dedicated. The structure cost $1,510,130.
- 1897 - Ransom E. Olds drives his first car down a Lansing street. He would later found Oldsmobile, which became a General Motors division in 1908.
- 2004 - Last Oldsmobile rolls off the assembly line at Lansing Car Assembly on April 29.
- 2005 - Lansing closes another GM assembly plant
Economy
- As the state capital, the state employs many in the area.
- General Motors has several manufacturing plants in and around the city.
Law and government
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- An elected Mayor leads the city government (currently Tony Benavides)
- A city council comprises representatives of individual wards and at-large members.
Colleges and universities
Sports teams
- The Lansing Lugnuts is a Minor League Baseball team.
- The Lansing Cricket Club is a Cricket team in Lansing.
- Many residents of Lansing attend Michigan State University athletic events
Transportation
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Airports
- Lansing Capital City Airport, located north of Lansing, serves the city.
Highways
- Three major interstates and One U.S. Highway serve the Lansing Area including: I-96, I-69, I-496, and U.S. 127. One can get almost anywhere in lower Michigan with 1.5 hours by car, including Metro Detroit, the Tri-Cities, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Flint, Ann Arbor, and Battle Creek.
Transit
- Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) serves the Lansing and East Lansing Area.
External link
- City of Lansing Official Website (http://www.cityoflansingmi.com/)
