Lansing is the 5th biggest city within the state of Michigan. It serves a population of nearly 115,000 inhabitants and is likewise the state capital. The city is situated in the Counties of Ingham and Eaton. The entire Lansing Metropolitan Area is known locally as "Mid-Michigan", a center for education, government, business and culture. The population of its Metropolitan Statistical Area is 464,036.
The city of Lansing is home to many educational institutions, like for example Michigan State University, medical and nursing schools, a veterinary school, two law schools (including the Thomas M. Cooley Law School). Government institutions comprise a federal court, the state capital, Court of Appeals and the state Supreme Court. The region is home to the head offices of four national insurance businesses and high-tech manufacturing.
Lansing vied with the city of Detroit to become the state capital during the year 1847. Lansing, which was a small community back then, was chosen partially because of its central location. By 1859, Lansing became incorporated as a city with a population of just a few thousand. As the city of Lansing grew, a state capitol building was constructed and a railroad was constructed through the city. When Olds Motor Vehicle Company was founded in Lansing in the year 1897, the city's growth increased as it became a significant industrial center. Automotive manufacturing and other industries flourished. The city of Lansing has become more diversified in recent decades, with the expansion of manufacturing, government, banking, healthcare, education and insurance. The services sector is based mainly on healthcare.
There is a GM assembly plant operating plant within Lansing, along with numerous other manufacturing facilities. Numerous residents are employed by government, information technology and biotechnology businesses, and by national insurance companies: Jackson National Life, Auto-Owners Insurance, the Accident Fund and Michigan Millers Insurance Company.
The city has a job-creation initiative called Prima Civitas. Launched in 2006 by Michigan State University in collaboration with the city of Lansing and East Lansing, it is designed to boost the region's technology industries.