LEAP Tri-County Population Study

April 17, 2026

Growing Against the Grain

The Tri-County region of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties is projected to experience modest population growth by 2050, despite an overall decline of 2% in Michigan’s population in that same timeframe. Clinton County leads the way with +9.1% projected growth, followed by Ingham County with +4.7%, and Eaton County with +1.6%. The Lansing Economic Area Partnership, in collaboration with Public Sector Consultants, conducted a comprehensive population study to understand how demographic trends are shaping the region’s future and to guide strategic development that reflects the values and priorities of local communities across the region.

Highlights and Profiles

Download Full Analysis

This content is made possible by in-depth research and analysis conducted by PSC. Please consider providing some additional information to download this content so we can let you know about other relevant research we’re conducting. We will never share your information with other organizations.

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Name

First Last

Organization/Affiliation

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Report Name

CAPTCHA

Key Takeaways

Understanding how population changes are impacting the region through data was only part of this project. PSC also gathered feedback from member in the tri-county region about desirable development in their communities, provided examples of well-executed development, and made recommendations for future development. Below are some data points and community insights that stood out:

K–12 enrollment is stagnating or declining, while rising home values and household incomes point to economic shifts that will shape the region’s housing, infrastructure, and workforce needs for years to come.
Working-age population is declining in all three counties for 20-44 year olds while increasing for 46-64 year olds.
When asked what makes development feel right, community members highlighted things like staying rooted in local identity, responding to real needs, putting residents in the driver’s seat, and revitalizing what’s already there.
Community members envision a future that is more connected and inclusive, where infrastructure and services are modernized and accessible, local businesses thrive, and both rural and urban areas can grow while honoring what makes each unique.

The findings above represent an overview of our findings. For more data and insights from community members download the report.