West Lafayette, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Lafayette, Indiana had a total population of 45,159, the 23rd largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $34,891, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 73.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Indiana.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 10.0x the median household income.
West Lafayette Quick Facts
How West 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 | 44,802 | 45,159 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $33,497 | $34,891 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $318,100 | $350,000 | +10.0% |
How West 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+)
West Lafayette Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Tippecanoe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | 71,159 | $53,716 | 17.8% | $172,800 |
| 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 West Lafayette
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mishawaka | 51,021 | $54,291 | $155,500 | 29.2% | 16.4% |
| Anderson | 55,367 | $46,909 | $119,000 | 15.7% | 21.0% |
| Terre Haute | 58,427 | $43,126 | $115,700 | 24.6% | 24.6% |
| Elkhart | 53,733 | $51,028 | $139,500 | 17.7% | 18.2% |
| Richmond | 35,581 | $45,399 | $114,400 | 20.1% | 25.4% |
Population Overview
West Lafayette is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Tippecanoe County. The total population is 45,159. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Lafayette is 21.4 years. This is 44% lower than the state median of 38.1 years. Only 8.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Lafayette is $34,891. This is 52% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.3%. This is 203% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. 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 4.5%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $350,000. Housing costs are 60% higher than the state median of $218,200. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 29.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 58% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in West Lafayette is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 21.9%. The Black or African American population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (21.9% vs 2.6%).
Education
73.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places West Lafayette in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 149% higher 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 97.6%. Notably, 44.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West 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 West Lafayette, Indiana?
West Lafayette, Indiana has a population of 45,159 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Lafayette, IN?
The median household income in West Lafayette is $34,891, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Lafayette, IN?
The poverty rate in West Lafayette is 37.3%. This means approximately 11,452 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Lafayette, Indiana?
West Lafayette's population is 65.3% White, 3.5% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 21.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Lafayette, IN?
The median home value in West Lafayette is $350,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.0x.
How educated is West Lafayette, Indiana?
73.3% of adults (25+) in West Lafayette hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 44.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.