Lafayette, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lafayette, Louisiana had a total population of 121,715, the 5th largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $61,915, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Lafayette is the 5th largest city in Louisiana with a population of 121,715.
- 41.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Louisiana.
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 | 121,537 | 121,715 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $61,454 | $61,915 | +0.8% |
| Median home value | $251,300 | $257,000 | +2.3% |
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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lafayette Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Lafayette Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngsville | 17,427 | $105,876 | 9.1% | $287,700 |
| Broussard | 14,322 | $116,179 | 13.5% | $310,200 |
| Carencro | 11,619 | $63,401 | 24.5% | $214,800 |
| Scott | 8,609 | $56,299 | 15.2% | $170,300 |
| Milton | 2,793 | $105,625 | 20.3% | $264,800 |
| Ossun | 2,271 | $40,810 | 24.6% | N/A |
| Duson | 1,282 | $25,054 | 39.3% | $54,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie | 139,729 | $73,042 | $327,500 | 41.2% | 12.5% |
| Lake Charles | 81,143 | $59,235 | $214,300 | 29.1% | 23.3% |
| Shreveport | 180,982 | $48,699 | $178,900 | 28.5% | 23.5% |
| Kenner | 64,904 | $64,020 | $246,300 | 29.1% | 15.4% |
| Baton Rouge | 222,771 | $49,994 | $234,700 | 36.6% | 25.7% |
Population Overview
Lafayette is a major urban center located in Louisiana, within Lafayette Parish. The total population is 121,715. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lafayette is 36.9 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lafayette is $61,915. This is 2% higher than the state median of $60,756. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.3%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $257,000. Housing costs are 19% higher than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 53.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lafayette is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.0%.
Education
41.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lafayette in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lafayette, Louisiana 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 Louisiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana. 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, Louisiana?
Lafayette, Louisiana has a population of 121,715 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lafayette, LA?
The median household income in Lafayette is $61,915, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lafayette, LA?
The poverty rate in Lafayette is 18.3%. This means approximately 21,882 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lafayette, Louisiana?
Lafayette's population is 56.1% White, 29.0% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lafayette, LA?
The median home value in Lafayette is $257,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Lafayette, Louisiana?
41.1% of adults (25+) in Lafayette hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.