Okemos is an unincorporated community in Meridian Charter Township, Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a Census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes and does not have any separate legal existance as a municipality. Local government is provided by the township. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 22,805.
The Okemos school district includes Okemos and some immediate surrounding areas. Okemos High School is the main High School and is home to the 2004-2005 Boys State Championship teams, and Golf State Champion Bobby Albers.
It was originally a farming community, but has been entirely absorbed as a Lansing suburb. Downtown Okemos is located at the intersection of Hamilton and Okemos Roads. The most notable business is the Meridian Mall (located on M-43 Grand River Avenue) which is north of downtown Okemos.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 43.6 km² (16.8 mi²). 43.5 km² (16.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.18% water.
Lake Lansing is nearby and is approximately 500 acres (2.0 km²) in size. The lake has an outstanding beach, and is a summer favorite of swimmers, sunbathers, boaters and fishermen.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 22,805 people, 9,194 households, and 5,645 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 523.8/km² (1,356.9/mi²). There are 9,592 housing units at an average density of 220.3/km² (570.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP is 84.01% White, 4.20% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 8.68% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. 2.23% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 9,194 households out of which 31.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% are married couples living together, 6.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% are non-families. 25.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 3.04.
In the CDP the population is spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 14.5% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP is $62,810, and the median income for a family is $88,459. Males have a median income of $60,601 versus $41,393 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $33,401. 9.6% of the population and 3.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.0% of those under the age of 18 and 0.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.