Lafayette County, Wisconsin Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 58th-largest in Wisconsin
The population of Lafayette County, Wisconsin is 16,788 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 58th-largest county in Wisconsin. The median household income is $72,091, the median home value is $182,100, and the median age is 40.9.
The population of Lafayette County has grown 3.0% since 2010 (16,799 → 17,306), a +0.21% annualized rate.
16,788
Population
+0.21%
Annual growth
26
People / sq mi
$72,091
Median Income
$182,100
Median Home Value
Lafayette County covers 634 sq mi of land at 26.5 people per square mile.
About Lafayette County, WI
What sets Lafayette County apart is where people work — remote work is unusually prominent here, at 12.3% versus 14.0% nationally. Lafayette County is a county in Wisconsin with a population of 16,788.
Median household income is $72,091, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 7.1%, below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $182,100, with typical rent around $835.
20.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%. About 12.3% of workers primarily work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 25 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in Lafayette County — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
Lafayette County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Lafayette County had a population of 16,799 in 2010 and 17,306 in 2024, a 3.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 17,306 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.21%.
17,306
Population (2024)
16,799
Population (2010)
17,306
Peak (2024)
0.21%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 16,799 |
| 2011 | 16,853 |
| 2012 | 16,792 |
| 2013 | 16,662 |
| 2014 | 16,769 |
| 2015 | 16,785 |
| 2016 | 16,751 |
| 2017 | 16,688 |
| 2018 | 16,659 |
| 2019 | 16,667 |
| 2020 | 16,604 |
| 2021 | 16,817 |
| 2022 | 16,926 |
| 2023 | 17,059 |
| 2024 | 17,306 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 93.4% |
| Black or African American | 0.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
40.9
Median Age
48.8%
Female
51.2%
Male
19.7%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 20.2% · Seniors (65+): 19.7%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $72,091$-3,579 vs state |
| Mean household income | $86,841 |
| Per-capita income | $34,686 |
| Poverty rate | 7.1%+0.5% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 1.6% |
| Employment-to-population | 63.7% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Lafayette County is manufacturing, accounting for 19.1% of workers.
How residents commute
0.0%
Drive alone
4.0%
Carpool
74.9%
Public transit
12.3%
Work from home
24.7 min
Avg commute
Housing
$182,100$-65,300 vs state
Median home value
$835
Median rent
79.3%
Homeownership rate
7,193
Total housing units
92.9%
Occupied
7.1%
Vacant
20.7%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
89.3%
With health insurance
88.1%
With broadband internet
24.9%
Foreign-born
6.3%
Veterans (18+)
10.7%
With a disability
92.0%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
91.0%
High School+
20.6%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Lafayette County, Wisconsin has a population of 16,788 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 58th-largest county in Wisconsin. Population density is 26 people per square mile.
The population of Lafayette County has grown 3.0% since 2010 (16,799 → 17,306), a +0.21% annualized rate.
The median household income in Lafayette County, Wisconsin is $72,091, with mean (average) household income of $86,841 and per-capita income of $34,686. 7.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Lafayette County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (93.4%), Hispanic or Latino (0.8%), Black or African American (0.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Lafayette County, Wisconsin is 40.9 years. Residents are 48.8% female and 51.2% male.
The median home value in Lafayette County is $182,100 and median monthly rent is $835. 79.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 7,193 total housing units, 7.1% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Lafayette County, Wisconsin is manufacturing, employing 19.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.6%.
Milwaukee is among the largest cities associated with Lafayette County, Wisconsin, with a population of 569,756.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.