La Fayette, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Fayette, Alabama had a total population of 2,633, the 187th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $32,601, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
La Fayette Quick Facts
How La Fayette Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,943 | 2,633 | -10.5% |
| Median household income | $38,317 | $32,601 | No clear change (-14.9%) |
| Median home value¹ | $129,963 | $85,900 | -33.9% |
| Median gross rent | $687 | $645 | No clear change (-6.1%) |
How La Fayette Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 29.3%
- Black: 69.7%
- Hispanic: 0.7%
- Asian: 0.1%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 25.8%
- HS Diploma: 36.4%
- Some College: 23.0%
- Associate's: 6.4%
- Bachelor's: 5.7%
- Graduate+: 2.8%
La Fayette Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Chambers County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley | 10,277 | $51,661 | 14.9% | $140,800 |
| Lanett | 6,814 | $42,357 | 19.1% | $95,600 |
| Huguley | 2,577 | $43,750 | 10.8% | $141,500 |
| Fredonia | 329 | N/A | 76.3% | $237,500 |
| Abanda | 257 | $115,388 | 0.0% | $415,500 |
| Cusseta | 148 | $80,385 | 23.6% | N/A |
| Five Points | 139 | N/A | 15.8% | $119,800 |
| Penton | 93 | N/A | 31.2% | $221,400 |
| Standing Rock | 56 | $44,167 | 28.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to La Fayette
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | 2,748 | $31,712 | $107,600 | 17.1% | 21.7% |
| Lineville | 2,546 | $38,302 | $175,500 | 14.6% | 32.4% |
| Stapleton | 3,009 | N/A | N/A | 33.2% | 4.4% |
| Centreville | 2,741 | $39,477 | $161,300 | 13.9% | 18.8% |
| Marion | 2,886 | $35,842 | $108,700 | 10.8% | 20.1% |
Population Overview
La Fayette is a small community located in Alabama, within Chambers County. The total population is 2,633. It ranks as the 187th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Fayette is 44.1 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. 10.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Fayette is $32,601. This is 49% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.4%. This is 114% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $85,900. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, La Fayette is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Fayette is Black or African American, making up 69.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (29.3%) is well below the state average of 63.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (69.7% vs 25.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.6%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
8.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 74.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Fayette, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of La Fayette, Alabama?
La Fayette, Alabama has a population of 2,633 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Fayette, AL?
The median household income in La Fayette is $32,601, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Fayette, AL?
The poverty rate in La Fayette is 33.4%. This means approximately 795 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Fayette, Alabama?
La Fayette's population is 29.3% White, 69.7% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Fayette, AL?
The median home value in La Fayette is $85,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is La Fayette, Alabama?
8.5% of adults (25+) in La Fayette hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.