East Lansing: Economy & Jobs
$45,687 is the median household income in East Lansing (1.4× below Ingham County median $65,526; 1.6× below Michigan median $72,875), with homes at a median value of $270,800. The surrounding county supports 18,614 jobs (avg $53,866).
- $84,741 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Michigan $69,437).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $45,687 — below the Michigan median ($64,354). Poverty rate 33.0% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 5.9× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 30.8% |
| Affordability · Interpretation | expensive |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $39,250 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $3,326,092 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $84,741 (vs Michigan $69,437) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $49,622 |
| Median Household Income | $45,687 (vs Michigan $64,354) |
| Poverty Rate | 33.0% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | white_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | working-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $45,687 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 3.6% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 21% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 16.20 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 21.0% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 18,614 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $1,002,662,507 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $53,866 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 4,347,960 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% (vs Michigan 3.7%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 15 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 1,390 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 92.70 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Milk, Crop Totals, Grain, Corn |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 1,393 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 16,486 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 817,376 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 6 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 7 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 8 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 18 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 9 |
| Local Businesses · New Car Dealers | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Florists | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 12 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 31 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 41 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 3 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 12 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (9)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | 7-Eleven # 36924C 36924 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 24 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | CLINTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $516,396,738 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 6,526.09 (vs Michigan $8,576) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 79,128 people (vs Michigan 45,758) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Job Training · Total count | 1 |
|---|---|
| Pct Drove Alone | 47.7% |
| Pct Public Transit | 16.6% |
| Pct Walked | 21.0% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 21.3 years (vs Michigan 37.7y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 19.7% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 2 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: IRS BMF keyword search · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12