Lansing, Michigan, has a population of around 114,000, making it the fifth largest city in the state, wherein is serves as the capital. Lansing is located within Eaton and Ingham Counties. The whole Lansing Metropolitan Area is referred to locally as "Mid-Michigan", a hub for education, government, culture and business. The population of its Metropolitan Statistical Area is 464,036.
The area's educational institutions consist of nursing and medical schools, a veterinary school, two law schools (including the Thomas M. Cooley Law School) and Michigan State University. Government institutions consist of a federal court, the state capital, the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. The area is home to high-tech manufacturing and the head offices of four national insurance businesses.
In 1847, Lansing battled Detroit to become the state capital. At the time, the city of Lansing was just a small community, but was chosen as the state capital due to its central location. By the year 1859, Lansing became incorporated as a city with a population of a few thousand. As Lansing grew, a state capitol building was built and a railroad was built through the city. When Olds Motor Vehicle Company was founded in Lansing in 1897, the city's growth increased because it became a significant industrial center. Automotive manufacturing and other businesses prospered. The city of Lansing has become more diversified in recent decades, with the expansion of government, manufacturing, banking, healthcare, insurance and education. The services sector is based mainly on healthcare.
There is a GM assembly plant operating plant in Lansing, together with numerous other manufacturing facilities. Many residents are employed by government, biotechnology and information technology companies, and by national insurance businesses: Jackson National Life, Auto-Owners Insurance, the Accident Fund and Michigan Millers Insurance Company.
Prima Civitas is a job-creation initiative. Launched in 2006 by Michigan State University in collaboration with the city of Lansing and East Lansing, it is intended to boost the region's technology industries.