La Fayette, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Fayette, Illinois had a total population of 178, the 1235th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $51,346, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.5% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- Only 5.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x.
La Fayette Quick Facts
How La Fayette 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 | 148 | 178 | +20.3% |
| Median household income | $49,519 | $51,346 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $51,000 | $50,900 | -0.2% |
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
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
La Fayette Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Stark County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serena | 182 | N/A | N/A | 14.5% | 23.1% |
| Kingston Mines | 182 | $51,875 | $75,000 | 6.6% | 18.1% |
| Nora | 180 | $54,073 | $91,000 | 12.6% | 5.0% |
| Standard City | 182 | $49,333 | $70,000 | 0.9% | 6.4% |
| LaPlace | 170 | N/A | $86,800 | 13.6% | 35.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 178, La Fayette's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
La Fayette is a small community located in Illinois, within Stark County. The total population is 178. It ranks as the 1235th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Fayette is 44.7 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 11.2% 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 $51,346. This is 38% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.5%. This is 62% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in La Fayette, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $50,900. Housing costs are 81% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x, La Fayette is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 96.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Fayette is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
5.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 86% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Fayette, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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, Illinois?
La Fayette, Illinois has a population of 178 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Fayette, IL?
The median household income in La Fayette is $51,346, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Fayette, IL?
The poverty rate in La Fayette is 4.5%. This means approximately 8 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Fayette, Illinois?
La Fayette's population is 78.1% White, 6.7% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Fayette, IL?
The median home value in La Fayette is $50,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.0x.
How educated is La Fayette, Illinois?
5.1% of adults (25+) in La Fayette hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.