City · Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette, city, in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Lafayette had 71,238 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 70,783 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 71,159 (±236). GEOID 1840788.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
71,238
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 70,783 · ACS 2020-2024: 71,159 ±236
Median household income
$53,716
±$2,765 (90% margin)
Indiana: $71,957
Median home value
$172,800
±$6,485 (90% margin)
Indiana: $218,200
Median gross rent
$1,079
±$19 (90% margin)
Indiana: $1,062
Where is Lafayette and what county is it in?
Lafayette is a city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. It covers 30.4 square miles of land, 2,330 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lafayette is in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Lafayette lies mostly within Fairfield Township (Tippecanoe County) and reaches into Wea Township and Perry Township (Tippecanoe County), towns or townships with their own local government (2020 census blocks).
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 71,238 people lived in Lafayette on July 1, 2025, up 0.6% since 2020, slower than Indiana (+2.8%). The 2020 Census counted 70,783 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 71,159 (±236).
| Measure | Lafayette | Tippecanoe County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 71,159 ±236 | 189,071 | −1,422 |
| Households | 32,242 ±595 | 75,808 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.16 ±0.04 | 2.28 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 34,079 ±667 | 80,647 | no clear change |
Lafayette's population since 2000
From 56,397 in 2000 to 71,238 in 2025: up 26.3%. 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 33.0 years old; 23.4% are under 18 and 13.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 68.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 14.4%. 10.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lafayette | Tippecanoe County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.0 ±1.0 | 28.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.4% ±0.9 pts | 20.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.7% ±0.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Male | 48.9% ±1.1 pts | 51.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 14.4% ±1.1 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 68.7% ±1.6 pts | 71.6% | −5.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.3% ±1.1 pts | 6.2% | +1.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.5% ±0.6 pts | 8.0% | +1.1 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4% ±0.8 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.9% ±1.3 pts | 12.3% | +2.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.0% ±1.3 pts | 14.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.8% ±0.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 11.5% ±0.9 pts | 9.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.5% ±0.9 pts | 5.3% | −3.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.5% ±1.5 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.9% ±1.8 pts | 40.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.0% ±1.2 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.4% ±1.7 pts | 77.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3% ±0.9 pts | 5.5% | – |
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 32,242 households earn less than $53,716 a year (±$2,765), against $60,636 in Tippecanoe County and $71,957 in Indiana. In 2015-2019 the median was $57,072 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $3,356 after inflation. 17.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lafayette | Tippecanoe County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,716 ±$2,765 | $60,636 | −$3,356 |
| Mean household income | $67,892 ±$2,914 | $83,483 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,390 ±$1,230 | $33,313 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.8% ±2.1 pts | 19.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.8% ±4.2 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.8% ±1.7 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.1% ±0.9 pts | 97.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.4% ±1.5 pts | 91.3% | – |
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 46.7% of Lafayette's occupied homes and renters 53.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $172,800 by its owner (±$6,485). The median renter pays $1,079 a month including utilities, and 38.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lafayette | Tippecanoe County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $172,800 ±$6,485 | $239,300 | +$31,516 |
| Median gross rent | $1,079 ±$19 | $1,124 | +$74 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.9% ±3.3 pts | 47.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,110 ±$31 | $1,375 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 46.7% ±1.9 pts | 53.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 53.3% ±1.9 pts | 46.6% | – |
| Housing units | 34,079 ±667 | 80,647 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.2% ±1.3 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.8% ±1.9 pts | 58.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.3% ±0.4 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4% ±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.9% ±1.3 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.6% ±1.6 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 11.0% ±1.8 pts | 9.7% | – |
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 many new homes is Lafayette building?
Builders took permits for 727 new housing units in Lafayette in 2025 (22 in single-family houses), 10.2 per 1,000 residents against 4.2 across Indiana.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Lafayette work and get to work?
79.6% of Lafayette's workers drive alone and 8.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Lafayette | Tippecanoe County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.2% ±1.9 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% ±0.8 pts | 3.3% | −1.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 79.6% ±2.0 pts | 72.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.6% ±1.6 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.2% ±0.6 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Walked | 1.8% ±0.5 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.0% ±1.4 pts | 11.1% | +5.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.4 min ±0.7 | 17.9 min | no clear change |
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?
19 census tracts lie mostly in Lafayette, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $35,938 (Tract 4) to $84,583 (Tract 10).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 15.02Tippecanoe County | 6,012 | $63,902 |
| Tract 16.03Tippecanoe County | 6,295 | $84,022 |
| Tract 13Tippecanoe County | 5,277 | $55,182 |
| Tract 111Tippecanoe County | 4,885 | $57,275 |
| Tract 15.01Tippecanoe County | 5,317 | $42,871 |
| Tract 18Tippecanoe County | 4,444 | $58,265 |
| Tract 4Tippecanoe County | 4,155 | $35,938 |
| Tract 3Tippecanoe County | 3,806 | $58,528 |
| Tract 17.02Tippecanoe County | 3,568 | $48,077 |
| Tract 17.01Tippecanoe County | 3,559 | $42,979 |
| Tract 7Tippecanoe County | 3,075 | $46,400 |
| Tract 12Tippecanoe County | 3,068 | $55,977 |
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 Indiana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lafayette is the 548th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 10th-most populous of 566 in Indiana.
Lafayette ranks 932nd of 1,072 places in Indiana with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 10th | 566 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 637th | 1,056 |
| Residents per square mile | 51st | 1,088 |
| Median household income | 932nd | 1,072 |
| Per capita income | 824th | 1,087 |
| Median home value | 628th | 1,075 |
| Median gross rent | 220th | 904 |
| Poverty rate | 127th | 736 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 259th | 1,029 |
| Median age | 993rd | 1,083 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,074th | 1,087 |
| Work from home | 343rd | 595 |
| Travel time to work | 1,070th | 1,088 |
Lafayette's figures with every place in Indiana (CSV)
Every place in Indiana, 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?
4 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.