Area Code 517

Where Is Area Code 517?

Area code 517 serves the south central portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Brought into effect on January 1, 1947, area code 517 was one of the original area codes in Michigan. In April 2001, area code 517 was split to form area code 989. Before the split, area code 517 served most of the eastern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan for 54 years.

Lansing is a city in area code 517 and is mostly located in Ingham County. Lansing is the capital of Michigan and is the fifth largest city in Michigan. Surprisingly, Lansing is the only state capital located in a county that is not also a county seat. The city is located in the south central portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in a region known as Mid-Michigan. Lansing is home to two rivers, the Grand River and the Red Cedar River, and two lakes, Park Lake and Lake Lansing. The city has a humid continental climate, meaning cold winters and warm, humid summers. Lansing has an estimated population of 114,207 and the racial makeup of the city is 61.2% White, 23.7% Black, 12.5% Hispanic, and 3.7% Asian (2010 Census). The city is divided into four sections and each section consists of a diverse array of neighborhoods. The Eastside is the most ethnically diverse; the Westside is the most socio-economically diverse; the Northwestside is physically the smallest; the Southside is physically the largest and most populous. Lansing’s economy is based around healthcare, insurance, education, government, and automobile manufacturing; the top three employers are the State of Michigan, the Michigan State University, and the Sparrow Health System. The city holds multiple diverse festivals a year including Michigan Pride, an African American Parade, and the American Heritage Festival. Points of interest in Lansing include multiple farmers’ markets, multiple specialized museums, the Library of Michigan, the Potter Zoo, and the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Some of Lansing’s most notable people are Magic Johnson, Burt Reynolds, and Malcolm X.

The city has more than 25 neighborhoods while a section of the city has been designated a Historic District. Downtown East Lansing is centered on Grand River Avenue; this boulevard separates the Michigan State University from the rest of the city. North of downtown is home to mostly student neighborhoods while further north is the residential part of the city. East Lansing is best known for being the home of Michigan State University. Michigan State University is the largest education institution in Michigan and is among the ten largest public university campuses in the United States. Points of interest on campus include the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, the Beaumont Tower, the Red Cedar River, the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, and the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum.

Jackson is a city located in the south central area of Michigan and is the county seat of Jackson County. The city was founded in 1829 and was named after President Andrew Jackson. Jackson is historically known for being one of the birthplaces of the Republican Party and the birthplace of the first Coney Island restaurant that served the famous Coney Island hot dog. Today Jackson has a population of 33,534 and the racial makeup of the city is 71.4% White, 20.4% Black, 5.3% Hispanic, and 0.7% Asian (2010 Census). The top three major private employers in Jackson are CMS Energy, Allegiance Health, and the Eaton Corporation. The city is also home to many notable historic churches that were established prior to the American Civil War; they include the First Baptist Church, the First Congregational church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and St. John’s the Evangelist Church. Jackson has been a major railway hub since the late nineteenth century and today is home to the nation’s oldest train station, the Michigan Central Jackson Depot, which is still in continuous active use. Some of the city’s parks include William Nixon Memorial Park, Ella Sharp Park, Blackman Park, and Bloomfield Park.

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