Population 58,327 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lafayette County
Household size in Lafayette County
| Period | Lafayette County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.50 | 2.66 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.74 | 2.67 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.64 | 2.64 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.77 | 2.57 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.27 | −0.09 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Lafayette County holds 2.77 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.50 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Of Mississippi's 82 counties, only seven have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Lafayette County
| Period | Lafayette County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.4 | 36.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.0 | 37.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.0 | 38.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.7 | 39.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.3 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 34.7, Lafayette County is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. The median age has climbed from 32.4 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of Mississippi's 82 counties, only two are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Lafayette County
| Period | Lafayette County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 15.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 15.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.4% | 14.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.0% | 14.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Lafayette County than nationally: 9.0%, against 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.5 points, as it has nationally. Only one other Mississippi county has a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Lafayette County
Renters in Lafayette County
| Period | Lafayette County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.1% | 29.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 40.7% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.0% | 31.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 36.2% | 30.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts |
More than a third of households in Lafayette County rent their homes (36.2%), close to the national share of 34.8%. Renters make up a bigger share here than in Mississippi as a whole (30.0%). Nearly half of owners (47.4%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 3.9 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Lafayette County
| Period | Lafayette County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.8% | 13.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.1% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 28.4% | 16.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.5% | 14.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +6.7 pts | +0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 32.5% of the housing in Lafayette County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 6.7 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Lafayette County
| Period | Lafayette County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1989 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1993 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1994 | 1984 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1999 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Lafayette County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1999, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1989 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the north. No other Mississippi county has newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Lafayette County
| Period | Lafayette County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $737 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $873 | $758 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $973 | $819 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,101 | $1,018 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$364 | +$315 | +$606 |
Rent in Lafayette County runs $1,101 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are higher than in Mississippi overall ($1,018). Rent has climbed $364 a month since 2006–10, up 49%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 35.8% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Lafayette County
Bachelor's degrees in Lafayette County
| Period | Lafayette County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.2% | 20.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 41.1% | 21.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.0% | 22.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 52.4% | 25.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.2 pts | +5.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Lafayette County: 52.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 10.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. No other Mississippi county has a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Lafayette County
| Period | Lafayette County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.2% | 80.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.0% | 82.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.6% | 84.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.5% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Lafayette County is above the national rate: 93.5% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 6.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. No other Mississippi county has a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Lafayette County
| Period | Lafayette County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 9.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.8% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.9% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.1% | 5.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.3 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Lafayette County has been low: just 2.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Few Mississippi counties have lower unemployment: only three of 82. Unemployment has fallen 5.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Lafayette County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette County | 2.77 | 34.7 | 9.0% | 36.2% | 32.5% | 1999 | $1,101 | 52.4% | 93.5% | 2.1% |
| Panola County | 2.71 | 39.2 | 16.3% | 28.9% | 15.3% | 1986 | $939 | 17.2% | 83.5% | 6.0% |
| Pontotoc County | 2.65 | 36.4 | 11.3% | 30.2% | 16.1% | 1989 | $880 | 18.6% | 78.9% | 3.1% |
| Union County | 2.93 | 37.2 | 13.9% | 25.3% | 19.6% | 1985 | $862 | 19.1% | 79.7% | 4.9% |
| Quitman County | 2.17 | 40.4 | 19.3% | 35.3% | 12.4% | 1972 | $668 | 17.1% | 81.2% | 11.7% |
| Lee County | 2.57 | 38.2 | 12.2% | 29.2% | 13.3% | 1987 | $960 | 27.7% | 87.0% | 5.2% |
| Coahoma County | 2.38 | 37.9 | 25.1% | 47.9% | 17.0% | 1970 | $757 | 19.2% | 80.6% | 10.6% |
| Itawamba County | 2.42 | 39.5 | 10.1% | 21.0% | 10.3% | 1985 | $829 | 16.3% | 87.6% | 4.9% |
| Franklin County | 2.69 | 39.9 | 12.4% | 27.6% | 13.9% | 1982 | $689 | 15.0% | 78.5% | 4.4% |
| Arkansas County | 2.45 | 41.4 | 13.6% | 35.4% | 21.9% | 1977 | $856 | 12.7% | 85.2% | 8.2% |
| Jefferson County | 2.65 | 40.0 | 16.2% | 38.2% | 21.1% | 1978 | $945 | 20.7% | 88.5% | 9.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Ogle County, IL · Lincoln Parish, LA · Livingston County, NY · Logan County, OH · Loudon County, TN · Lowndes County, MS · Lyon County, NV · Madison County, ID · Marion County, OH · Marion County, WV
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Lafayette County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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