Lafayette city, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Lafayette city, Indiana has a total population of 70,650, the 10th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $52,946, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.1%.
Lafayette city Quick Facts
How Lafayette city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lafayette city Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Cities Similar to Lafayette city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond city | 77,098 | $53,950 | $141,700 | 15.4% | 19.2% |
| Bloomington city | 78,791 | $48,918 | $289,700 | 60.0% | 30.5% |
| Kokomo city | 59,375 | $54,195 | $126,500 | 17.2% | 15.4% |
| Muncie city | 64,739 | $43,395 | $92,000 | 25.7% | 29.6% |
| Gary city | 68,604 | $37,380 | $85,300 | 14.3% | 32.9% |
Population Overview
Lafayette city is a mid-sized community located in Indiana. The total population is 70,650. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 967 cities and towns in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lafayette city is 33.7 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lafayette city is $52,946. This is 24% lower than the state median of $70,051. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.1%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $157,600. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $201,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 47.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 70.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lafayette city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.8% vs 8.4%).
Education
28.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 28.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lafayette city, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lafayette city, Indiana?
Lafayette city, Indiana has a population of 70,650 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lafayette city, IN?
The median household income in Lafayette city is $52,946, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Lafayette city, IN?
The poverty rate in Lafayette city is 17.1%. This means approximately 11,847 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lafayette city, Indiana?
Lafayette city's population is 71.3% White, 8.9% Black, 13.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lafayette city, IN?
The median home value in Lafayette city is $157,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Lafayette city, Indiana?
28.1% of adults (25+) in Lafayette city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.