City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

West Lafayette, IN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for West Lafayette - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

44,802
Residents
$33,497
Median income
$318,100
Median home
$1,242
Median rent (state)

West Lafayette - the verdict

West Lafayette ranks in the 4th percentile for household income and the 52nd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

4th
percentile, household income
68th
percentile, home value
40th
percentile, median rent
52nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: West Lafayette, IN

West Lafayette is a small city in Indiana, home to 44,802 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. West Lafayette households earn a median of $33,497 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 7.2%. West Lafayette's housing stock carries a median value of $318,100, and the median resident age is 21.4 years. 71.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 48.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 131 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 75% from five years earlier. West Lafayette reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1298.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Indiana run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Indiana scores 93.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,242 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $235 across Indiana, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 81.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

44,802 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$33,497 /yr

Poverty 7.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does West Lafayette compare to other US cities?

West Lafayette measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 4% higher than other cities
Home value 68% pricier than other cities
Median rent 40% pricier than other cities
Safety 52% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Indiana, West Lafayette ranks #67 of 109 Indiana cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares West Lafayette against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Indiana only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Indiana-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is West Lafayette's strongest outlier among Indiana cities

Among the 850 Indiana cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, West Lafayette ranks #13 - the 98th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares West Lafayette only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#754 of 766
2nd percentile in Indiana
Median Gross Rent
#201 of 850
74th percentile in Indiana
Median Home Value
#34 of 771
96th percentile in Indiana
Poverty Rate
#410 of 849
51st percentile in Indiana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#13 of 850
98th percentile in Indiana

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Indiana only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

4thIncome percentile
52ndSafety percentile

4th percentile nationally for median household income · 52nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

West Lafayette's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

West Lafayette's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 34 Avg. percentile National median
West Lafayette's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How West Lafayette's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$318,100 32nd percentile more affordable than 32% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. West Lafayette $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - West Lafayette, IN West Lafayette, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West Lafayette, IN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution West Lafayette, IN median $33,497/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
West Lafayette, IN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for West Lafayette, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 71.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
44,802
Median Income
$33,497
Median Home Value
$318,100
Median Age
21.4
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Labor force participation
48.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
71.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1298.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
93.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1204.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
44,500 residents45,000 residents45,500 residents46,000 residents46,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 44,654 residents 45,747 residents ▲ +2.4%
West Lafayette's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
131
housing units authorized
Single-Family
25
detached homes
Multifamily
106
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 529
2020 318
2021 149
2022 263
2023 923
2024 131

Permit volume decreased 75% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
49.0%
Carpool
3.8%
Public Transit
5.6%
Walk
24.5%
Work from Home
12.5%
Other
4.6%

Based on 18,521 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Indiana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Indiana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Indiana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county West Lafayette sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,242/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
81.8 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Indiana

Lawrence
49,284 people
Jeffersonville
50,176 people
Mishawaka
50,907 people
Columbus
51,104 people
Westfield
51,109 people
Portage
37,951 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Lafayette's 44,802 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

York, PA
44,830 people
Mankato, MN
44,882 people
Moorhead, MN
44,706 people
Cleveland Heights, OH
44,694 people
The Colony, TX
44,916 people
Riverton, UT
44,944 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Lafayette's $33,497 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Clarendon, AR
$33,500 median income
Hardy, AR
$33,500 median income
Glencoe, OK
$33,500 median income
Wynona, OK
$33,500 median income
Blacksburg, SC
$33,500 median income
Dover, AR
$33,491 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West Lafayette, IN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition West Lafayette, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 68.7% 20.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.6% White 68.7% Black or African American 3.9% Asian 20.3% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 5.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How West Lafayette compares to nearby Indiana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
West Lafayette (this city) 44,802 $33,497
Lawrence 49,284 $73,455
Jeffersonville 50,176 $70,157
Mishawaka 50,907 $53,120
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Lafayette, IN?

What is the population of West Lafayette, IN? +

44,802 people live in West Lafayette, IN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in West Lafayette, IN? +

In West Lafayette, the typical household earns $33,497 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Lafayette? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for West Lafayette; the closest available measure is the Indiana state average, a cost of living index of 93.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Indiana vary by metro area.

Is West Lafayette, IN safe? +

West Lafayette has a total crime rate of 1298.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in West Lafayette, IN? +

West Lafayette's median home value sits at $318,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.