Lafayette city, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Lafayette city, Louisiana has a total population of 121,537, the 5th largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $61,454, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Lafayette city is the 5th largest city in Louisiana with a population of 121,537.
- 40.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Louisiana.
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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lafayette city Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie CDP | 138,995 | $73,256 | $308,900 | 39.9% | 12.7% |
| Lake Charles city | 81,679 | $56,864 | $204,000 | 29.4% | 23.2% |
| Shreveport city | 183,483 | $48,465 | $178,100 | 27.5% | 23.6% |
| Kenner city | 65,113 | $64,099 | $241,800 | 28.7% | 14.5% |
| Baton Rouge city | 223,699 | $49,944 | $224,500 | 35.8% | 25.0% |
Population Overview
Lafayette city is a major urban center located in Louisiana. The total population is 121,537. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 487 cities and towns in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lafayette city is 37.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lafayette city is $61,454. This is 2% higher than the state median of $60,023. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 22% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 1% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $251,300. Housing costs are 20% higher than the state median of $208,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 55.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lafayette city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.5%.
Education
40.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lafayette city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 53% higher than the state rate of 26.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lafayette city, Louisiana 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 Louisiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 487 Census-designated places in Louisiana. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lafayette city, Louisiana?
Lafayette city, Louisiana has a population of 121,537 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lafayette city, LA?
The median household income in Lafayette city is $61,454, which is 22% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Lafayette city, LA?
The poverty rate in Lafayette city is 19.1%. This means approximately 22,631 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lafayette city, Louisiana?
Lafayette city's population is 57.8% White, 28.5% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lafayette city, LA?
The median home value in Lafayette city is $251,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Lafayette city, Louisiana?
40.6% of adults (25+) in Lafayette city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.