City · Indiana
West Lafayette, Indiana
West Lafayette, city, in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. West Lafayette had 45,747 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 44,595 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 45,159 (±328). GEOID 1882862.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
45,747
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 44,595 · ACS 2020-2024: 45,159 ±328
Median household income
$34,891
±$4,238 (90% margin)
Indiana: $71,957
Median home value
$350,000
±$11,702 (90% margin)
Indiana: $218,200
Median gross rent
$1,225
±$65 (90% margin)
Indiana: $1,062
Where is West Lafayette and what county is it in?
West Lafayette is a city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. It covers 13.6 square miles of land, 3,289 residents per square mile in 2020.
West Lafayette is in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
West Lafayette lies mostly within Wabash Township (Tippecanoe County) and reaches into Tippecanoe 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 West Lafayette, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 45,747 people lived in West Lafayette on July 1, 2025, up 2.8% since 2020, in line with Indiana (+2.8%). The 2020 Census counted 44,595 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 45,159 (±328).
| Measure | West Lafayette | Tippecanoe County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 45,159 ±328 | 189,071 | −3,392 |
| Households | 15,062 ±601 | 75,808 | +1,106 |
| Average household size | 2.03 ±0.08 | 2.28 | −0.37 |
| Housing units | 16,824 ±543 | 80,647 | +1,213 |
West Lafayette's population since 2000
From 28,778 in 2000 to 45,747 in 2025: up 59.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for West 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 West Lafayette?
The median resident of West Lafayette is 21.4 years old; 8.3% are under 18 and 7.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 65.3%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 21.9%. 20.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | West Lafayette | Tippecanoe County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 21.4 ±0.2 | 28.8 | −0.3 |
| Under 18 years | 8.3% ±0.9 pts | 20.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 7.4% ±0.8 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Male | 55.7% ±1.4 pts | 51.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.5% ±0.8 pts | 10.3% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 65.3% ±1.7 pts | 71.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.5% ±0.9 pts | 6.2% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 21.9% ±1.4 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| 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 | 3.5% ±0.5 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 20.5% ±1.4 pts | 12.3% | −3.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 24.2% ±1.8 pts | 14.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 1.8% ±0.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 9.1% ±1.2 pts | 9.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.5% ±0.5 pts | 5.3% | −2.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.6% ±0.8 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 73.3% ±2.7 pts | 40.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 44.8% ±3.5 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 52.6% ±2.6 pts | 77.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 13.1% ±1.2 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 West Lafayette earn?
Half of West Lafayette's 15,062 households earn less than $34,891 a year (±$4,238), against $60,636 in Tippecanoe County and $71,957 in Indiana. In 2015-2019 the median was $42,644 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $7,753 after inflation. 37.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | West Lafayette | Tippecanoe County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $34,891 ±$4,238 | $60,636 | −$7,753 |
| Mean household income | $72,653 ±$5,152 | $83,483 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,882 ±$1,309 | $33,313 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 37.3% ±2.9 pts | 19.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.6% ±4.1 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 2.1% ±0.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.2% ±0.8 pts | 97.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.8% ±2.1 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 West Lafayette?
Owners occupy 29.4% of West Lafayette's occupied homes and renters 70.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $350,000 by its owner (±$11,702). The median renter pays $1,225 a month including utilities, and 66.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | West Lafayette | Tippecanoe County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $350,000 ±$11,702 | $239,300 | +$74,325 |
| Median gross rent | $1,225 ±$65 | $1,124 | +$103 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 66.1% ±3.8 pts | 47.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,802 ±$113 | $1,375 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 29.4% ±2.6 pts | 53.4% | −5.8 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 70.6% ±2.6 pts | 46.6% | – |
| Housing units | 16,824 ±543 | 80,647 | +1,213 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9% ±1.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.4% ±2.4 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 31.6% ±2.4 pts | 58.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0% ±0.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 19.0% ±2.8 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.1% ±1.8 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 18.3% ±2.9 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 West Lafayette building?
Builders took permits for 2,307 new housing units in West Lafayette in 2025 (61 in single-family houses), 50.4 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 West Lafayette work and get to work?
48.3% of West Lafayette's workers drive alone and 15.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | West Lafayette | Tippecanoe County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.7% ±1.7 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% ±1.3 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 48.3% ±3.6 pts | 72.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.5% ±1.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 4.8% ±1.4 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Walked | 22.4% ±2.7 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.1% ±2.2 pts | 11.1% | +10.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.1 min ±0.8 | 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 West Lafayette?
10 census tracts lie mostly in West Lafayette, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $12,644 (Tract 55) to $109,531 (Tract 51.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 104Tippecanoe County | 8,248 | not published |
| Tract 112Tippecanoe County | 6,541 | $14,890 |
| Tract 55Tippecanoe County | 5,462 | $12,644 |
| Tract 51.02Tippecanoe County | 5,735 | $109,531 |
| Tract 52Tippecanoe County | 4,841 | $83,297 |
| Tract 102.08Tippecanoe County | 5,630 | $42,781 |
| Tract 54.01Tippecanoe County | 3,403 | $21,262 |
| Tract 51.01Tippecanoe County | 2,903 | $62,321 |
| Tract 102.07Tippecanoe County | 4,286 | $121,357 |
| Tract 105Tippecanoe County | 1,811 | not published |
| Tract 54.02Tippecanoe County | 2,072 | $14,490 |
| Tract 102.09Tippecanoe County | 3,528 | $64,674 |
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 West Lafayette) · Census block assignment files
How does West Lafayette compare with other places in Indiana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, West Lafayette is the 904th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 23rd-most populous of 566 in Indiana.
West Lafayette ranks 1,068th 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 | 23rd | 566 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 258th | 1,056 |
| Residents per square mile | 11th | 1,088 |
| Median household income | 1,068th | 1,072 |
| Per capita income | 1,041st | 1,087 |
| Median home value | 39th | 1,075 |
| Median gross rent | 109th | 904 |
| Poverty rate | 4th | 736 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 6th | 1,029 |
| Median age | 1,080th | 1,083 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,086th | 1,087 |
| Work from home | 90th | 595 |
| Travel time to work | 1,074th | 1,088 |
West Lafayette's figures with every place in Indiana (CSV)
Every place in Indiana, sortable · Compare West 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 West Lafayette?
5 of the 57 figures for West 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 West 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 West Lafayette.