Lafayette, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lafayette, Indiana had a total population of 71,159, the 10th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $53,716, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 70,650 | 71,159 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $52,946 | $53,716 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $157,600 | $172,800 | +9.6% |
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lafayette Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Tippecanoe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Lafayette | 45,159 | $34,891 | 37.3% | $350,000 |
| Battle Ground | 1,969 | $110,568 | 4.0% | $277,600 |
| Shadeland | 1,921 | $82,708 | 15.0% | $270,000 |
| Otterbein | 1,576 | $63,698 | 8.8% | $158,500 |
| Dayton | 1,168 | $78,289 | 12.1% | $176,300 |
| Clarks Hill | 700 | $46,806 | 16.3% | $93,600 |
| Romney | 391 | $63,578 | 0.0% | $161,000 |
| Stockwell | 286 | $60,988 | 11.5% | $105,900 |
| West Point | 189 | $125,409 | 0.0% | $145,900 |
| Colburn | 92 | N/A | 78.3% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | $159,900 | 17.4% | 19.1% |
| Bloomington | 80,049 | $50,465 | $321,400 | 58.8% | 29.8% |
| Muncie | 64,751 | $44,471 | $97,300 | 26.2% | 29.2% |
| Kokomo | 59,122 | $55,360 | $137,400 | 18.1% | 17.1% |
| Gary | 68,113 | $38,731 | $94,700 | 14.8% | 33.1% |
Population Overview
Lafayette is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Tippecanoe County. The total population is 71,159. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lafayette is 33.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lafayette is $53,716. This is 25% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $172,800. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $218,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 46.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lafayette is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.4% vs 8.6%).
Education
27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lafayette, Indiana 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 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. 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, Indiana?
Lafayette, Indiana has a population of 71,159 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lafayette, IN?
The median household income in Lafayette is $53,716, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lafayette, IN?
The poverty rate in Lafayette is 17.8%. This means approximately 12,411 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lafayette, Indiana?
Lafayette's population is 68.7% White, 10.3% Black, 14.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lafayette, IN?
The median home value in Lafayette is $172,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Lafayette, Indiana?
27.9% of adults (25+) in Lafayette hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.