Population284,900 (2020 Census)
Capital Culture, Campus Gardens and River Towns
Ingham County, MichiganIngham County connects capital city attractions with campus experiences and smaller community stops. Explore hands-on science in Lansing, see an exhibition at the MSU Broad Art Museum or take a quieter break in a county park. Mason remains the county seat, while the surrounding towns provide their own shops, libraries and gathering places. This guide combines ideas for a day out with practical contacts for schools, health services, county offices, utilities and local transportation.
Ingham County at a Glance
Population284,900 (2020 Census)
County SeatMason
Largest MunicipalityLansing (107,637; 2020 population within county)
Established1829; county government organized in 1838
ZIP Codes35 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area560.7 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-96, I-496, US-127, M-36, M-43, M-52 and M-99
Area Codes517
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Ingham County
Ingham County
Ingham County was created in 1829, with county government organized in 1838. Mason serves as the county seat, while Lansing’s role as Michigan’s capital and East Lansing’s university campus shape other parts of local life. Visitors can explore state government history at the Capitol and changing exhibitions at the MSU Broad Art Museum. Shops and restaurants in Lansing’s Old Town add another setting for discovery. Beyond the urban centers, smaller communities and public parks keep the county’s landscape and daily routines varied.
Residents across Lansing, East Lansing, Mason, Meridian Township and the county’s smaller communities use different school districts, libraries and municipal services. Confirm the office or provider serving your address before making arrangements. CATA offers urban transportation and a rural service with its own coverage and reservation rules. County parks, campus gardens and museums provide varied choices for time off. Parking, admission and special event requirements differ, even where ordinary entry to a garden or museum is free.
What Shapes Us
Hands-On Discovery
Impression 5 brings science into family play, while Potter Park Zoo offers animal exhibits and programs, giving visitors two distinct ways to plan an active day.
Campus Arts
The MSU Broad Art Museum offers free admission to changing exhibitions, while public campus gardens provide another setting to explore with separate parking considerations.
Parks and Towns
County parks around Lansing, Haslett and Holt complement the shops and public institutions of nearby towns, offering ways to combine an errand with time outdoors.
Find a new perspective between city streets and gardens.
Around Ingham County
Around Ingham County
Places, landscapes and community stories
Lansing School District
Big Build Renovation Energizes Pattengill
Partner funding provides a new look to a familiar space.
Read the Story Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Ingham County
Stories from every corner of Ingham County.
Big Build Renovation Energizes Pattengill
Partner funding provides a new look to a familiar space.
Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Pledge to Be Great, Stay Less Than 8
Did You Know? Attendance Matters.Every school day matters. When students attend school regularly, they have more opportunities to…
Oct 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Pathfinder - Finding Career Opportunities
Explore in-demand careers and discover the degrees or credentials needed to pursue them.
Sep 2, 2026 • 2 min read
District Celebrates New Willow School
The Lansing community ushers in a new learning space for its school district.
Jul 23, 2026 • 2 min read
Cell Phones - When Students Return
Our school district is preparing to implement a new practice that will require all students in grades 5–12…
Jul 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the right local resource
Use these resources to connect with public offices, essential services and community organizations in Ingham County. Visit the linked provider for current details before making a trip.
County Government
Board of Commissioners — Official county office information, contacts and services.
County Clerk — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Treasurer's Office — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Register of Deeds — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Equalization — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Schools and Education
Confirm school assignment with the district serving your street address.
Ingham ISD — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Lansing School District — District information, enrollment and family resources.
East Lansing Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Mason Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Haslett Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional facilities are labeled separately.
UM Health-Sparrow Lansing — Lansing hospital with current patient, visitor and service information.
McLaren Greater Lansing — Hospital at 2900 Collins Road in Lansing; use its current campus information.
Public Safety
Ingham County Sheriff — County law enforcement and public safety contacts.
Ingham County 911 — County emergency communications information; call 911 for immediate assistance.
Michigan State Police — State law enforcement contacts and resources.
DNR Law Enforcement — Conservation enforcement and outdoor regulations.
Michigan local emergency management directory — Official county emergency management contacts.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for immediate police, fire or ambulance response.
Ingham County 911 — County emergency communications information; call 911 for immediate assistance.
Ingham County Health Department — Local public health and environmental health information.
Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties — Local behavioral health access and service information; follow the provider’s current crisis directions.
National Weather Service Grand Rapids — Official forecasts, watches and warnings.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
State Parks and Recreation Areas
Sleepy Hollow State Park — Regional state park in Clinton County, outside Ingham County; check entry requirements and notices.
Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Hawk Island — County park in Lansing; check seasonal facilities, entry fees and activity information.
Lake Lansing Park North — Wooded county park trails near Haslett; check access notices and park rules.
Lake Lansing Park South — Lakeside recreation and picnic facilities near Haslett; seasonal services and fees vary.
Burchfield Park — County recreation near Holt, with outdoor activities and seasonal facilities to check before visiting.
MSU Gardens — Public campus gardens with free admission; parking and special events may have separate charges.
Utilities
Providers and public water or sewer service vary by address; confirm your service territory.
Lansing Board of Water and Light — Utility service and account information within its service territory.
Consumers Energy — Utility accounts and service information; confirm the provider at your address.
Ingham County Health Department — Local public health and environmental health information.
MPSC electric service area map — Identify the electric utility serving an address.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
Libraries
Downtown Lansing Library (CADL) — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Mason Library (CADL) — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Okemos Library (CADL) — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Williamston Library (CADL) — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Leslie Library (CADL) — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Courts
30th Judicial Circuit Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
55th Judicial District Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Friend of the Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Probate Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Jury Administration — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Driver and Vehicle Services
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Secretary of State — license and ID renewal — Review renewal options and documents.
Michigan Secretary of State — vehicle tabs — Renew vehicle registration.
Michigan Secretary of State — titles and registration — Prepare for a vehicle transfer.
Michigan Secretary of State — address changes — Update your address with the department.
Michigan Secretary of State — disability parking — Find placard application and renewal information.
Michigan self-service stations — Find a nearby kiosk and check supported transactions.
Transportation
CATA Rural Service — Demand-response transportation for outlying Ingham County areas, including Mason; confirm coverage and reservations.
Ingham County Road Department — County road information and maintenance contacts.
MDOT Mi Drive — Road conditions and construction information.
Michigan public transit providers — Official transit agency contacts across Michigan.
Michigan transportation guide — Airports, bus connections and other travel resources.
Postal Services
Official USPS tools for local mailing and delivery needs.
USPS Post Office locator — Search your town or ZIP for nearby offices and services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Confirm the mailing ZIP for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold.
USPS Change of Address — Use the official postal address-change service.
USPS PO Boxes — Find and manage a post office box.
USPS package pickup — Check and schedule an eligible pickup.
Veterans Resources
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency — Connect with state benefits assistance and local support.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund — Review emergency-assistance options and eligibility.
VA health care enrollment — Find enrollment guidance.
Veterans education benefits — Explore federal and state education programs.
Veteran Readiness and Employment — Learn about employment and rehabilitation support.
Veterans burial benefits — Find benefit and memorial planning resources.
Employment and Training
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Works! — Find the workforce agency serving your area.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services — Employment support for eligible people with disabilities.
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency — Claims, account help and program information.
Michigan Reconnect — Check eligibility for community college tuition support.
Veterans Employment Services — Career assistance for eligible veterans.
Workforce education and training — Explore state training programs and pathways.
Make yourself at home
Practical answers for residents and visitors
County Questions
Know Before You Go
Find answers to common questions about exploring and living in Ingham County.
Mason is the county seat. Use Ingham County offices to confirm the location handling your business, since county services operate at different sites.
Impression 5 Science Center offers interactive exhibits in downtown Lansing. Check current admission, opening hours and any special exhibit arrangements.
Potter Park Zoo provides a Lansing zoo visit. Review admission and parking charges separately and check seasonal hours.
MSU Broad Art Museum offers free admission in East Lansing. Check its exhibition calendar and arrange larger group visits in advance.
Michigan State Capitol offers free guided tours. Check the current schedule and group requirements before traveling to the building.
MSU Gardens are open to the public without an admission charge. Campus parking and special activities can have separate fees and restrictions.
Lake Lansing Park North and Lake Lansing Park South provide different recreation settings. Review their maps, seasonal facilities and access rules.
Grace Boutique of Old Town is in Old Town Lansing, Kellie’s Resale and Thrift is in Okemos, and MSU Spartan Bookstore carries college apparel in East Lansing.
Elderly Instruments is a Lansing shop for instruments and accessories. Contact the store about current stock, repairs or a specific visit.
CATA Rural Service includes Mason in its service area under the current arrangements. Confirm pickup, destination, booking notice and fares with CATA.
UM Health-Sparrow Lansing and McLaren Greater Lansing publish current patient and location information. McLaren’s main hospital is on Collins Road. Call 911 for an emergency.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make a day of itExplore places to eat, shop and spend time together.
Kids’ Fun
- Impression 5 Science Center — Hands-on science exhibits in downtown Lansing; check current admission and visiting information.
- Potter Park Zoo — Lansing zoo with animal exhibits and family programs; check admission, parking and seasonal hours.
- MSU Gardens — Public campus gardens with free admission; parking and special events may have separate charges.
Restaurants
- Soup Spoon Cafe — Soups, sandwiches and entrees in Lansing; consult the current menu.
- Meat Southern BBQ — Barbecue and sides in Lansing’s Old Town; check service hours and availability.
- Sansu Sushi — Japanese dining on South Hagadorn Road in East Lansing.
Shopping & Retail
- Elderly Instruments — Lansing shop for new, used and vintage instruments and music accessories.
- Kellie’s Resale and Thrift — Clothing, furniture and collectibles at 5000 Marsh Road in Okemos.
- MSU Spartan Bookstore — College apparel, books and gifts at the International Center in East Lansing.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Grace Boutique of Old Town — Women’s clothing, accessories and gifts on East César E. Chávez Avenue in Lansing.
- Kellie’s Resale and Thrift — Clothing, furniture and collectibles at 5000 Marsh Road in Okemos.
- MSU Spartan Bookstore — College apparel, books and gifts at the International Center in East Lansing.
Outdoor Fun
- Hawk Island — County park in Lansing; check seasonal facilities, entry fees and activity information.
- Lake Lansing Park North — Wooded county park trails near Haslett; check access notices and park rules.
- Burchfield Park — County recreation near Holt, with outdoor activities and seasonal facilities to check before visiting.
Free Things To Do
- MSU Broad Art Museum — Free museum admission in East Lansing; check exhibitions, hours and group visit arrangements.
- Michigan State Capitol — Free guided tours and self-guided visits; check the current tour schedule and building access.
- MSU Gardens — Public campus gardens with free admission; parking and special events may have separate charges.
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