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CITY · 2020 ACS

West Lafayette

Indiana · 44,595 residents · 13.559 sq mi
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West Lafayette has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $31,460. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 55% since 2000. 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $235,300. At a median age of 21.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 46% less than the Indiana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 21.7
US median: 38.8
More educated
71% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
44,595
+55%since 2000
from 28,778 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,289 / sq mi
+55%since 2000
from 2,122 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
21.7
−3%since 2000
from 22.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
24K30K37K44K51K1990201020202024West Lafayette
202445K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,460
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,869 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,694
+13%since 2000
from $18,337 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.0%
+6.9 ptssince 2009
from 22.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
35.5%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 38.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade8.9%
US avg: 10%
Information7.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade1.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$235,300
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $144,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$915
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $614 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
30.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 32.2% in 2000
69.7% rent
Afford Score
7.5
+28%since 2000
from 5.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Lafayette on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.5%(23,454)
Black2.3%(675)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(920)
Asian11.3%(3,252)
Other0%
Diversity Score37.3%(10,733)
2020
White, non-Hispanic60.6%(27,007)
Black3.9%(1,721)
Hispanic / Latino6.3%(2,820)
Asian19.1%(8,532)
Other3.7%(1,672)
Diversity Score66.5%(29,654)
Diversity Score
66
+78%since 2000
from 37 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
71.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 69.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 96.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
43.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 40.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.6 min
+56%since 2000
from 10.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
56.1%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
13.9%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 7.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
49.1%
−5.2 ptssince 2011
from 54.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
54.9%
−23.1 ptssince 2009
from 78.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
Female
44.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
Foreign born
22.6%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.7%
−89.3 ptssince 2013
from 93.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to West Lafayette

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Pop 48,127
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Pop 58,832
LaGrange
Pop 34,730
Fort Pierce
Pop 51,737
Places similar to West Lafayette
Head to head

Compare West Lafayette to nearby cities

WEST LAFAYETTE VS
Lafayette
Income$53,716+71%
Home value$172,800−27%
Population71,238+56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST LAFAYETTE VS
Frankfort
Income$57,412+82%
Home value$138,600−41%
Population16,837−63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST LAFAYETTE VS
Crawfordsville
Income$55,033+75%
Home value$134,000−43%
Population16,699−63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST LAFAYETTE VS
Logansport
Income$47,291+50%
Home value$92,200−61%
Population18,287−60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Lafayette, Indiana?

West Lafayette, Indiana has about 44,595 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in West Lafayette, Indiana?

The typical household in West Lafayette, Indiana earns about $31,460 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Lafayette, Indiana expensive?

In West Lafayette, Indiana, the median home is worth about $235,300, and the typical rent is about $915 a month.

How educated are people in West Lafayette, Indiana?

About 71.0% of adults age 25 and over in West Lafayette, Indiana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Lafayette, Indiana?

About 35.5% of people in West Lafayette, Indiana live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Lafayette, Indiana grown since 1990?

Yes, West Lafayette, Indiana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 18,688 residents, a change of about 72 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →