Lafayette, Louisiana Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Lafayette, Louisiana is 121,537 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 5th-largest city in Louisiana. The median household income is $61,454, the median home value is $251,300, and the median age is 37.1.
The population has grown 0.4% since 2010 (121,836 → 122,280).
121,537
Population
2163
People / sq mi
$61,454
Median Income
$251,300
Median Home Value
Lafayette covers 56.2 sq mi of land at 2163 people per square mile.
About Lafayette, LA
Lafayette is a city in Louisiana with a population of 121,537. It ranks #5 among cities in Louisiana by population. The median age is 37.1, younger than the national median. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
The median household income in Lafayette is $61,454, below the US median of $74,580. 13.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $251,300, with monthly rent averaging $1,065. The homeownership rate of 55.0% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Lafayette reflects 40.6% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 9.5% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 19.9 minutes each way.
Lafayette city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Lafayette city had a population of 121,836 in 2010 and 122,280 in 2024, a 0.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 127,221 in 2016. Average annual growth rate: 0.03%.
122,280
Population (2024)
121,836
Population (2010)
127,221
Peak (2016)
0.03%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 121,836 |
| 2011 | 122,674 |
| 2012 | 123,587 |
| 2013 | 124,873 |
| 2014 | 126,036 |
| 2015 | 126,922 |
| 2016 | 127,221 |
| 2017 | 126,526 |
| 2018 | 126,371 |
| 2019 | 126,185 |
| 2020 | 121,450 |
| 2021 | 121,471 |
| 2022 | 121,506 |
| 2023 | 121,767 |
| 2024 | 122,280 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 59.1% |
| Black or African American | 28.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$61,454
Median Household Income
$39,861
Per Capita Income
13.5%
Poverty Rate
3.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$251,300
Median Home Value
$1,065
Median Rent
55.0%
Owner-Occupied
Education
90.9%
High School+
40.6%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.6%
Drive Alone
80.4%
Public Transit
9.5%
Work From Home
19.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
14.1%
Foreign Born
89.6%
Non-English at Home
5.9%
Veterans
12.9%
With Disability
90.5%
Health Insurance
93.6%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 27.2% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 13.6% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 11.3% |
| Construction | 5.8% |
| Information | 5.2% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.8% |
| Retail Trade | 4.1% |
| Manufacturing | 3.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 3.6% |
| Public Administration | 3.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.2% |
Largest cities in Louisiana
Largest counties in Louisiana
Part of Louisiana
Metro areas in Louisiana
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Lafayette, Louisiana has a population of 121,537 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 5th-largest city in Louisiana.
The median household income in Lafayette, Louisiana is $61,454, with 13.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Lafayette, Louisiana is $251,300, with median monthly rent at $1,065 and a homeownership rate of 55.0%.
The median age in Lafayette, Louisiana is 37.1 years. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
The population has grown 0.4% since 2010 (121,836 → 122,280).
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.