Lansing's Hispanic & Latino History

Sugar beets were a profitable business in mid-Michigan in the early 1900’s and it changed the demographics of Lansing, especially the city’s north side. Many Mexican and Mexican-Americans came from the Southwest to work in the agricultural industry growing the local Latino population. Currently, people of Hispanic and Latino descent make up over 12% of the total Lansing population according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The region honors its rich Latino culture and proclaimed September 15-October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month and a portion of Grand River Avenue that runs through the Old Town Lansing area has been designated as Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. Visitors will want to sample the delicious tastes of Mexico during the annual Cristo Rey Fiesta and you can celebrate Latino culture with the Lansing Locos! Which is the re-imagined brand of the Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball team. You can learn more and order their merchandise Lansing Locos.