Population 73,308 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in West Lafayette
Household size in West Lafayette
| Period | West Lafayette | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.45 | 2.57 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.50 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.56 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.21 | 2.54 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.24 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
West Lafayette is a place of small households, averaging 2.21 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.45, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only five of the 187 Indiana cities with 5,000+ people have smaller 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 West Lafayette
| Period | West Lafayette | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.7 | 37.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 29.6 | 38.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 29.1 | 39.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 29.5 | 39.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.8 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 29.5, West Lafayette is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 28.7, as it has nationally. Only five of the 187 Indiana cities with 5,000+ people 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 West Lafayette
| Period | West Lafayette | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.0% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in West Lafayette: 4.9% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.4 points, in line with the national trend. Only seven of the 187 Indiana cities with 5,000+ people have 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 West Lafayette
Renters in West Lafayette
| Period | West Lafayette | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 56.4% | 28.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 60.1% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 55.2% | 30.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 57.9% | 29.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in West Lafayette rent: 57.9% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. The renter share has risen 1.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Indiana city with 5,000+ people has a higher share of renters.
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 West Lafayette
| Period | West Lafayette | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.5% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.8% | 9.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +12.8 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in West Lafayette: 22.8% of homes are empty, 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 12.8 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 West Lafayette
| Period | West Lafayette | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1987 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1993 | 1977 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +5 | +6 |
West Lafayette has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1993, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1983 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. West Lafayette has newer homes than at least four in five Indiana cities.
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 West Lafayette
| Period | West Lafayette | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $909 | $763 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $937 | $819 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $922 | $903 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,220 | $1,146 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$311 | +$384 | +$606 |
The median renter in West Lafayette pays $1,220 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are higher than in Indiana overall ($1,146). Rent has climbed $311 a month since 2006–10, up 34%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 39.0% 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 West Lafayette
Bachelor's degrees in West Lafayette
| Period | West Lafayette | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 52.8% | 23.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 51.2% | 24.6% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 63.4% | 27.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 63.8% | 30.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.0 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in West Lafayette: 63.8% 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 11.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only four of the 187 Indiana cities with 5,000+ people have 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 West Lafayette
| Period | West Lafayette | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.4% | 86.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.0% | 87.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.1% | 88.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.4% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | −10.0 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in six adults in West Lafayette never finished high school, more than nationally: 84.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has fallen 10.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate rose. West Lafayette has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five Indiana cities.
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 West Lafayette
| Period | West Lafayette | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.9% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.8% | 4.9% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.9 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in West Lafayette runs below the national rate: 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has fallen 4.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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).
West Lafayette compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Lafayette | 2.21 | 29.5 | 4.9% | 57.9% | 22.8% | 1993 | $1,220 | 63.8% | 84.4% | 4.0% |
| Ravinamy | 2.89 | 49.5 | 4.0% | 23.8% | 8.3% | 1994 | $732 | 35.7% | 99.4% | 0.0% |
| Lafayette | 2.36 | 35.8 | 12.9% | 43.6% | 6.0% | 1978 | $1,201 | 30.9% | 90.2% | 3.0% |
| Delp | 3.14 | 40.2 | 2.7% | 13.6% | 6.9% | 1998 | $1,760 | 40.2% | 96.8% | 0.5% |
| Cairo | 2.58 | 37.6 | 17.7% | 13.8% | 12.9% | 1990 | $1,036 | 37.6% | 88.4% | 2.2% |
| Shadeland | 2.61 | 40.5 | 10.8% | 19.4% | 2.9% | 1987 | $1,056 | 30.9% | 90.3% | 2.8% |
| Montmorenci | 2.60 | 36.1 | 21.1% | 12.4% | 15.1% | 1990 | $1,021 | 37.6% | 84.6% | 2.0% |
| Battle Ground | 2.50 | 43.0 | 8.7% | 12.1% | 8.9% | 1990 | $875 | 38.5% | 95.9% | 1.9% |
| Otterbein | 2.66 | 37.4 | 13.8% | 19.5% | 8.1% | 1976 | $917 | 30.0% | 89.4% | 3.4% |
| Westpoint | 2.56 | 44.2 | 4.1% | 6.1% | 1.9% | 1985 | $1,004 | 40.9% | 91.4% | 3.1% |
| Dayton | 2.87 | 33.0 | 5.6% | 30.4% | 3.2% | 1993 | $1,646 | 18.3% | 95.2% | 1.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Bayonne, NJ · Lilburn, GA · Hendersonville, TN · Brick, NJ · Euless, TX · Maple Grove, MN · Dale City, VA · Council Bluffs, IA · White Plains, NY · Burleson, TX
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 West Lafayette. 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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