City · California
Lafayette, California
Lafayette, city, in Contra Costa County, California. Lafayette had 25,313 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 25,391 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 25,285 (±35). GEOID 0639122.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,313
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,391 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,285 ±35
Median household income
$228,250
±$25,040 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$2,000,000 or more
The survey's top or bottom value; no margin is published
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,892
±$302 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Lafayette and what county is it in?
Lafayette is a city in Contra Costa County, California. It covers 15.0 square miles of land, 1,690 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lafayette is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Lafayette, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 25,313 people lived in Lafayette on July 1, 2025, down 0.3% since 2020, in line with California (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 25,391 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 25,285 (±35).
| Measure | Lafayette | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,285 ±35 | 1,165,012 | −1,020 |
| Households | 9,623 ±331 | 414,417 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.62 ±0.09 | 2.78 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 9,998 ±333 | 429,260 | no clear change |
Lafayette's population since 2000
From 23,908 in 2000 to 25,313 in 2025: up 5.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lafayette as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lafayette?
The median resident of Lafayette is 45.7 years old; 25.7% are under 18 and 21.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 71.8%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 10.1%. 14.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lafayette | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.7 ±1.4 | 40.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.7% ±1.9 pts | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.3% ±2.2 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Male | 49.0% ±2.0 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.0% ±2.2 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 71.8% ±3.4 pts | 38.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 10.1% ±2.0 pts | 18.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 9.0% ±2.2 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.0% ±2.3 pts | 26.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 16.9% ±3.3 pts | 37.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.7% ±1.2 pts | 4.2% | – |
| With a disability | 6.4% ±1.3 pts | 11.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 0.8% ±0.6 pts | 4.6% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 99.0% ±0.5 pts | 89.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 79.0% ±2.8 pts | 45.2% | +7.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 37.8% ±3.1 pts | 17.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.6% ±2.6 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.1% ±1.9 pts | 0.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Lafayette earn?
Half of Lafayette's 9,623 households earn less than $228,250 a year (±$25,040), against $127,229 in Contra Costa County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $220,158 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 2.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lafayette | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $228,250 ±$25,040 | $127,229 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $325,365 ±$19,831 | $174,872 | – |
| Per capita income | $123,402 ±$7,754 | $62,927 | +$11,072 |
| People below the poverty line | 2.9% ±1.2 pts | 8.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 1.5% ±1.4 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 1.5% ±0.9 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.6% ±0.4 pts | 97.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 98.5% ±0.9 pts | 95.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Lafayette?
Owners occupy 77.1% of Lafayette's occupied homes and renters 22.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $2,000,000 or more by its owner (). The median renter pays $2,892 a month including utilities, and 31.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lafayette | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $2,000,000 or more | $866,800 | +$241,463 |
| Median gross rent | $2,892 ±$302 | $2,375 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.7% ±8.6 pts | 47.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $4,000 or more | $3,435 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.1% ±2.7 pts | 68.0% | +5.7 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 22.9% ±2.7 pts | 32.0% | – |
| Housing units | 9,998 ±333 | 429,260 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6% ±1.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4% ±3.8 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.3% ±3.9 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3% ±0.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.1% ±2.4 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.3% ±2.1 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.2% ±1.2 pts | 5.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Lafayette work and get to work?
41.4% of Lafayette's workers drive alone and 42.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Lafayette | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.7% ±2.4 pts | 64.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% ±1.6 pts | 6.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 41.4% ±4.8 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 1.7% ±0.9 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 10.1% ±2.5 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Walked | 2.6% ±1.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 42.9% ±4.7 pts | 21.3% | +31.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.3 min ±2.4 | 35.3 min | −3.7 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Lafayette?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Lafayette, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $150,719 (Tract 3490) to $250,000 or more (Tract 3512).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3512Contra Costa County | 5,531 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 3490Contra Costa County | 5,022 | $150,719 |
| Tract 3480Contra Costa County | 4,888 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 3500Contra Costa County | 5,826 | $192,961 |
| Tract 3470Contra Costa County | 6,971 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 3410Contra Costa County | 4,872 | $157,959 |
| Tract 3400.04Contra Costa County | 4,058 | $171,218 |
| Tract 3530.02Contra Costa County | 4,375 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 3521.01Contra Costa County | 3,579 | $223,281 |
| Tract 3540.02Contra Costa County | 6,858 | $250,000 or more |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Lafayette) · Census block assignment files
How does Lafayette compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lafayette is the 1,595th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 272nd-most populous of 483 in California.
Lafayette ranks 50th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 272nd | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 182nd | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 635th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 50th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 45th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 1st | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 114th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 829th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36th | 988 |
| Median age | 279th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 297th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 23rd | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 422nd | 1,069 |
Lafayette's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Lafayette with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Lafayette?
9 of the 57 figures for Lafayette on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Lafayette are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Lafayette.