This article is part of an ongoing, county-by county overview of the Tri-County Area. This article covers the age distribution in Ingham County. Knowing this information helps communities prepare and fund what residents need based on their stage of life. Additionally, these data can show how many workers are or will be in the labor force.

Compared with Michigan and the United States, Ingham County exhibits a distinct age profile. The County has a higher share of residents between the ages of 10 and 34, whereas the state and national populations are more weighted toward younger children and adults aged 35 and older. Across all three geographies, the largest share of the population falls within the 20–34 age group. However, this cohort is substantially larger in Ingham County, accounting for 27.7% of residents, compared with approximately 20.0% in both Michigan and the United States. One reason for Ingham County’s higher proportion of younger residents is the presence of Michigan State University.

This is a positive indicator for Ingham County’s future workforce sustainability, as a strong concentration of young adults suggests a pipeline of individuals who can replace retiring workers and support long-term economic stability. The presence of Michigan State University further strengthens this pipeline by providing local employers with access to a well-educated workforce.

Figure 1: Population Distribution by Age Group, 2024

Source: Points Consulting using Michigan Capital Region Data Hub

Figure 2 shows the 10-year population change from 2014 to 2024, highlighting a clear trend of population aging across Michigan and the United States. While the 75 and older population has grown substantially at all three levels, Ingham County has also experienced significant decline in the 55 to 64 and the 65 to 74 populations.

In contrast to growth among younger and older age groups, Ingham County experienced sharper population declines among residents ages 55–74, particularly those nearing or entering retirement. This pattern suggests potential out-migration of late-career workers and retirees, possibly driven by cost-of-living considerations or lifestyle preferences. Consistent with this trend, Donald Grimes, an economist at the University of Michigan, has noted that many Michigan residents at or near retirement age relocate out of state, often seeking warmer climates.^[1]

While the County continues to attract and retain younger residents, the decline among late-career and early retirement-age cohorts may have longer-term implications for workforce continuity, housing demand, and the provision of services for aging residents.

Figure 2: Population Change between 2014 and 2024 by Age Group Distributions

 

Source: Points Consulting using Michigan Capital Region Data Hub

Figure 3 illustrates cumulative population change among the primary working-age population (ages 25–54), a cohort that represents the core labor force and includes individuals who have completed their education or training and are several years away from retirement. Unlike Michigan overall, Ingham County experienced modest but steady growth in this age group between 2014 and 2019.

This trend shifted sharply in 2020, when Ingham County’s primary workforce population declined by approximately 3.0%, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, manufacturing and other in-person industries faced widespread disruptions, including temporary closures, reduced production, and delayed hiring. Given the presence of major manufacturing and production employers in Ingham County—such as General Motors’ Lansing facilities and Quality Dairy Company—these disruptions likely contributed to reduced local employment opportunities and short-term workforce losses among prime working-age residents.

By contrast, the statewide decline in Michigan’s primary workforce population moderated in 2020. One possible explanation is the prevalence of professional and institutional employment statewide, including sectors such as higher education and public administration, where remote work options were more readily available. In August 2020, 54.0% of workers in Southeast Michigan worked from home, with Government and Private Companies accounting for the highest share of remote workers.^[2] This flexibility may have helped stabilize employment and population trends for Michigan’s primary working-age population during the pandemic, particularly in comparison to the sharper decline observed in Ingham County in 2020.

Figure 3: Cumulative Change of Primary Workforce Age Group (25-54)

 

Source: Points Consulting using Michigan Capital Region Data Hub