Lafayette, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lafayette, Virginia had a total population of 628, the 440th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $34,596, which is 63% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 63% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 47.2% is notably above the national average.
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 | 528 | 628 | +18.9% |
| Median household income | $32,210 | $34,596 | +7.4% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lafayette Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Montgomery County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | 45,446 | $50,182 | 42.7% | $446,300 |
| Christiansburg | 22,720 | $77,147 | 11.7% | $252,600 |
| Merrimac | 2,733 | $53,611 | 12.6% | N/A |
| Shawsville | 1,411 | N/A | 17.4% | $101,600 |
| Plum Creek | 1,068 | $41,603 | 15.8% | N/A |
| Riner | 1,038 | $105,759 | 9.8% | $388,000 |
| Belview | 990 | $55,288 | 48.8% | N/A |
| Elliston | 952 | $47,045 | 40.6% | $255,300 |
| Prices Fork | 900 | $69,063 | 7.0% | $300,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saluda | 615 | N/A | $263,800 | 23.8% | 6.5% |
| Disputanta | 609 | N/A | $99,500 | 0.0% | 9.0% |
| Seven Mile Ford | 644 | $38,003 | $173,300 | 7.2% | 21.4% |
| Dante | 591 | $33,696 | $81,400 | 2.7% | 38.1% |
| Baywood | 681 | N/A | N/A | 10.4% | 20.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 628, 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
Lafayette is a small community located in Virginia, within Montgomery County. The total population is 628. It ranks as the 440th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lafayette is 42.7 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 13.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 13.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lafayette is $34,596. This is 63% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.1%. This is 245% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. 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 47.2%. This is 1007% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. 92.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lafayette has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.2% vs 58.4%).
Education
10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lafayette, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. 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, Virginia?
Lafayette, Virginia has a population of 628 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lafayette, VA?
The median household income in Lafayette is $34,596, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lafayette, VA?
The poverty rate in Lafayette is 34.1%. This means approximately 214 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lafayette, Virginia?
Lafayette's population is 91.2% White, 0.0% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lafayette, VA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Lafayette — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Lafayette, Virginia?
10.8% of adults (25+) in Lafayette hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.