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
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Lafayette covers 56.2 sq mi of land at 2163 people per square mile.
About Lafayette, LA
The poverty rate is what most separates Lafayette from the typical city: 13.5% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Lafayette is a city in Louisiana with a population of 121,537. It is the #5-largest of all cities in Louisiana nationally.
Incomes run on the lower side: a median household income of $61,454, below the US median of $78,538. Roughly 13.5% of residents fall below the poverty line, above the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $251,300, with typical rent around $1,065.
40.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national average of 35.0%. Around 9.5% of workers work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.
The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Lafayette: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.
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).
Lafayette city, LA Climate
Lafayette city, LA has an average annual temperature of 20.1°C (68°F) and receives about 1567 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
20.1°C
Avg Temp
1567
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11° / 51° | 149 mm |
| February | 13° / 55° | 108 mm |
| March | 16° / 61° | 113 mm |
| April | 20° / 68° | 116 mm |
| May | 24° / 75° | 136 mm |
| June | 27° / 81° | 149 mm |
| July | 28° / 83° | 164 mm |
| August | 28° / 82° | 135 mm |
| September | 26° / 78° | 133 mm |
| October | 21° / 69° | 108 mm |
| November | 16° / 60° | 116 mm |
| December | 12° / 54° | 140 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Lafayette city, LA
The most comfortable months to visit Lafayette city, LA are typically October, April and May, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 33°C high). The coldest is January (near 5°C low). July is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Lafayette
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Population, race, income, age, and trends across Louisiana
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.