Lake Lafayette, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Lafayette, Missouri had a total population of 237, the 695th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $46,563, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 43.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (43.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Lake Lafayette Quick Facts
How Lake 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 | 227 | 237 | +4.4% |
| Median household income | $34,375 | $46,563 | +35.5% |
| Median home value | $76,600 | $76,800 | +0.3% |
How Lake 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lake Lafayette Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Lafayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odessa | 5,620 | $100,022 | 6.1% | $238,200 |
| Higginsville | 4,781 | $81,033 | 6.8% | $166,100 |
| Lexington | 4,606 | $56,905 | 17.0% | $161,300 |
| Concordia | 2,332 | $59,068 | 15.5% | $166,500 |
| Waverly | 901 | $47,969 | 9.8% | $117,700 |
| Alma | 450 | $68,750 | 9.6% | $155,000 |
| Corder | 442 | $91,250 | 12.4% | $83,100 |
| Wellington | 432 | $67,045 | 13.7% | $144,200 |
| Mayview | 301 | $116,250 | 10.6% | $113,000 |
| Emma | 270 | $81,667 | 3.0% | $124,300 |
Cities Similar to Lake Lafayette
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston | 241 | N/A | N/A | 2.4% | 17.0% |
| Bellflower | 238 | $45,313 | $61,700 | 3.4% | 40.3% |
| Golden | 233 | $46,488 | $209,000 | 31.8% | 6.9% |
| Aurora Springs | 230 | N/A | $146,400 | 26.8% | 40.0% |
| Schell City | 224 | $46,250 | $57,500 | 13.0% | 11.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 237, Lake Lafayette's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Lake Lafayette is a small community located in Missouri, within Lafayette County. The total population is 237. It ranks as the 695th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Lafayette is 45.4 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Lafayette is $46,563. This is 34% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 43.5%. This is 245% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. 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 6.8%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $76,800. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Lake Lafayette is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 96.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lake Lafayette has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 5.9%.
Education
5.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Lafayette, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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 Lake Lafayette, Missouri?
Lake Lafayette, Missouri has a population of 237 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Lafayette, MO?
The median household income in Lake Lafayette is $46,563, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Lafayette, MO?
The poverty rate in Lake Lafayette is 43.5%. This means approximately 103 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Lafayette, Missouri?
Lake Lafayette's population is 89.9% White, 5.9% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Lafayette, MO?
The median home value in Lake Lafayette is $76,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Lake Lafayette, Missouri?
5.3% of adults (25+) in Lake Lafayette hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.