County · Missouri
Lafayette County, Missouri
Lafayette County, Missouri. Lafayette County had 33,531 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.6% since 2020, in line with Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 17 places (17 cities, villages and boroughs) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 29107.
Lafayette County is one of the 14 counties of the Kansas City, MO-KS metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
33,531
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 32,984 · ACS 2020-2024: 33,115
Median household income
$80,612
±$6,979 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$216,500
±$12,051 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$928
±$41 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Lafayette County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 32,984 residents in Lafayette County. The Census Bureau estimates 33,531 for July 1, 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, in line with Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 33,115 over 628 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lafayette County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 33,115 | 6,191,814 | +518 |
| Households | 12,576±358 | 2,508,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.58±0.07 | 2.40 | +0.13 |
| Housing units | 14,221±60 | 2,825,287 | −586 |
Lafayette County's population since 2000
From 32,960 in 2000 to 33,531 in 2025: up 1.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Lafayette County?
Lafayette County holds 17 places: 17 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Odessa with 5,721 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Odessa | 5,593 | $100,022 |
|---|---|---|
| Higginsville | 4,817 | $81,033 |
| Lexington | 4,652 | $56,905 |
| Concordia | 2,371 | $59,068 |
| Waverly | 784 | $47,969 |
| Wellington | 738 | $67,045 |
| Corder | 418 | $91,250 |
| Alma | 400 | $68,750 |
| Lake LafayetteGEOID 2939952 | 277 | $46,563 |
| Bates CityGEOID 2903556 | 219 | $88,750 |
| NapoleonGEOID 2951140 | 211 | $69,219 |
| Mayview | 208 | $116,250 |
| Oak Grove | 8,157 | $75,102 |
| DoverGEOID 2919918 | 83 | $85,417 |
| EmmaGEOID 2922312 | 201 | $81,667 |
| AullvilleGEOID 2902530 | 77 | not published |
| Blackburn | 224 | $82,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lafayette County?
The median resident of Lafayette County is 40.9 years old; 23.0% are under 18 and 19.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.0%. 2.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lafayette County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9±0.5 | 39.0 | −1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 23.0% | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.3%±0.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% | 5.2% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.7%±0.6 pts | 76.3% | −2.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.4 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0%±0.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.3%±0.7 pts | 4.5% | +0.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.6%±1.0 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.5%±1.6 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 17.3%±2.1 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.2%±1.7 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.6%±1.4 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.2%±2.8 pts | 32.4% | +5.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.2%±1.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Lafayette County's 12,576 households earn less than $80,612 a year (±$6,979), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $72,323 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lafayette County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,612±$6,979 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $93,896±$4,589 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,530±$1,601 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.3%±1.7 pts | 12.6% | −3.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.2%±3.9 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.4%±2.2 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.0%±1.9 pts | 89.3% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 75.7% of Lafayette County's occupied homes and renters 24.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $216,500 by its owner (±$12,051). The median renter pays $928 a month including utilities, and 31.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lafayette County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $216,500±$12,051 | $230,300 | +$39,895 |
| Median gross rent | $928±$41 | $1,033 | +$84 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.9%±6.0 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,371±$63 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.7%±2.7 pts | 68.1% | +4.9 pts |
| Housing units | 14,221±60 | 2,825,287 | −586 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.0 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.7%±3.5 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.6%±2.7 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.7%±2.0 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 14.3%±2.2 pts | 13.3% | – |
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 County building?
Builders took permits for 105 new housing units across Lafayette County in 2025 (91 single-family), 3.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Lafayette County get to work?
79.4% of Lafayette County's workers drive alone and 9.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.0%.
| Measure | Lafayette County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.8%±2.0 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0%±0.9 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.4%±2.9 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.7%±2.1 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.0%±2.3 pts | 13.0% | +3.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.9 min±1.1 | 23.5 min | −2.8 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 are Lafayette County's census tracts?
Lafayette County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $57,875 (Tract 903) to $100,086 (Tract 906.01).
| Tract 90129107090100 | 4,830±562 | $73,151 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 90229107090200 | 6,553±844 | $73,815 |
| Tract 90329107090300 | 1,404±192 | $57,875 |
| Tract 904.0129107090401 | 3,840±450 | $93,368 |
| Tract 904.0229107090402 | 2,852±361 | $74,743 |
| Tract 90529107090500 | 3,406±285 | $72,550 |
| Tract 906.0129107090601 | 6,130±252 | $100,086 |
| Tract 906.0229107090602 | 4,100±594 | $92,353 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lafayette County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 35th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 55th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 34th of 115 |
| Median household income | 10th of 115 |
| Median home value | 25th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 19th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 99th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19th of 115 |
| Median age | 60th of 115 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.