Ingham County

Ingham County is an administrative region in Michigan that encompasses the state capital Lansing along with numerous communities and residential areas. The county spreads across a mix of urban centers and more open areas, creating a varied landscape of city neighborhoods and surrounding towns.

Ingham County was established in 1829, carved from portions of neighboring counties, and named after Samuel D. Ingham, who served as Secretary of Treasury under President Jackson. This early founding made the region part of Michigan's expansion during the early territorial period.

The county is home to Michigan State University, which shapes daily life with its academic calendar and brings thousands of students and researchers into the region each year.

The main courthouse in the county operates from Lansing and handles court proceedings and public records. Government services and offices are spread across different locations, so it's useful to check specific details before visiting.

Lansing, the state capital, is located within Ingham County but is not the county seat—an unusual arrangement that is rarely seen across the country. This distinctive administrative setup makes the county a notable case study in American governance.

Location: Michigan

Inception: 1838

Capital city: Mason

Shares border with: Shiawassee County, Jackson County, Livingston County, Clinton County, Eaton County

Website: http://ingham.org

GPS coordinates: 42.60000,-84.37000

Latest update: December 17, 2025 09:01