Census: Lansing's population grows for eighth straight year, hits highest point since 2005

Lansing State Journal

LANSING — The city of Lansing has grown in population for the eighth straight year, according to U.S. Census population estimates released Thursday.

The city had 118,427 residents as of July 1, 2018, up from 114,309 on July 1, 2010, according to Census data.

Eric Guthrie, state demographer of Michigan and a Lansing resident, said Thursday that the 2018 population mark is the city's largest since 2005, when the population stood at 118,084.

"This would lead us to believe that we’re seeing more people moving into the area than leaving," Guthrie said, "which is something to be happy about."

Lansing saw its largest annual gains from 2015 to 2016 and 2016 to 2017. Lansing's population growth looked like this:

2018 - 118,427
2017 - 117,882
2016 - 116,635
2015 - 115,358
2014 - 115,102
2013 - 114,736
2012 - 114,653
2011- 114,533
2010 - 114,309

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor said in a statement the population growth indicates the city is "clearly a place where people want to live and work."

"Lansing’s time is now, and people are proving that by choosing to live here," Schor said. "Lansing will continue to be its best self and offer the amenities and necessities needed for residents throughout all stages of life."

Lansing still stands as the sixth largest city in Michigan behind Detroit (672,662), Grand Rapids (200,217), Warren (134,587), Sterling Heights (132,964) and Ann Arbor (121,890).

In addition to Lansing, Grand Rapids, Sterling Heights and Ann Arbor also grew in population in 2018 compared to the previous year.

Virg Bernero, Lansing's mayor from 2006 to 2018, wrote in a text message to the State Journal that he's proud of what his team was able to do to grow Lansing.

"I believe we've got the wind at our backs and real momentum going forward," said Bernero of Lansing's progress. "The thing that could really catapult us forward faster would be greater regionalism and collaboration among municipal neighbors.

"That's one thing that growing metro areas have in common."

East Lansing lost population in 2018, according to the Census. The city's estimated population was 47,988 that year, 1,108 fewer residents than the previous year.

The Census' population estimates released Thursday don't include those for townships.

Data about all Michigan communities and their estimated 2018 populations can be found at bit.ly/2hGmt3H.

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Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.

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