Lafayette, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lafayette, California had a total population of 25,285, the 303rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $228,250, which is 130% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 130% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.9% — among the lowest in California.
- 79.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.8x the median household income.
Lafayette Quick Facts
How Lafayette Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,277 | 25,285 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $222,393 | $228,250 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Lafayette Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lafayette Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Contra Costa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | 124,035 | $108,709 | 8.2% | $797,600 |
| Antioch | 116,477 | $97,465 | 11.4% | $629,700 |
| Richmond | 115,505 | $95,391 | 13.6% | $668,200 |
| San Ramon | 85,993 | $196,161 | 4.4% | $1,509,500 |
| Pittsburg | 76,257 | $99,861 | 11.2% | $597,900 |
| Walnut Creek | 70,088 | $130,432 | 6.4% | $1,057,300 |
| Brentwood | 65,208 | $142,494 | 8.3% | $836,600 |
| Oakley | 45,183 | $137,677 | 6.1% | $660,200 |
| Danville | 43,401 | $232,216 | 3.8% | $1,681,700 |
| Martinez | 36,903 | $127,355 | 6.3% | $859,800 |
Cities Similar to Lafayette
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 27,337 | $205,297 | $2,000,000+ | 69.7% | 6.9% |
| Mountain House | 25,513 | $177,163 | $946,900 | 54.1% | 5.1% |
| North Tustin | 25,807 | $177,351 | $1,347,800 | 62.0% | 5.2% |
| Ladera Ranch | 23,793 | $184,458 | $1,151,000 | 68.0% | 4.2% |
| San Carlos | 29,614 | $237,470 | $2,000,000+ | 70.2% | 3.3% |
Population Overview
Lafayette is a mid-sized community located in California, within Contra Costa County. The total population is 25,285. It ranks as the 303rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lafayette is 45.7 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 11.3% 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 Lafayette is $228,250. This is 130% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 183% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.9%. This is 76% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $2,000,000+. Housing costs are 172% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 77.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lafayette is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (71.8% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.0%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
79.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lafayette in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 113% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 99.0%. Notably, 37.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lafayette, California 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 California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. 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 Lafayette, California?
Lafayette, California has a population of 25,285 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lafayette, CA?
The median household income in Lafayette is $228,250, which is 183% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lafayette, CA?
The poverty rate in Lafayette is 2.9%. This means approximately 733 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lafayette, California?
Lafayette's population is 71.8% White, 0.8% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lafayette, CA?
The median home value in Lafayette is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.8x.
How educated is Lafayette, California?
79.0% of adults (25+) in Lafayette hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 37.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.