Lafayette, IN Demographics

A map of Lafayette's Population by Race

Lafayette, Indiana has an estimated population of 71,159, a less than 1% change from the 70,783 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 68.7% White, 14.4% Hispanic, 10.3% Black, 3.4% Multiracial, 2.5% Asian, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Lafayette, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Lafayette has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Indiana overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Lafayette, that probability was 50.5% in 2020 and 49.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Lafayette is ranked the 10th most populous place in Indiana, out of 976 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Lafayette was ranked the 9th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Lafayette's White Population

48,890 residents of Lafayette, or 68.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Lafayette is lower than in Indiana overall, where 75.4% of the population is White. Lafayette ranks 667th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's White population has grown by an estimated 1.9%. White residents' share of Lafayette's population has increased from 67.8% to 68.7%.

Lafayette is more White than neighboring West Lafayette (65.3% White). Lafayette is less White than neighboring Dayton (86.9% White), Battle Ground (88.1% White), Shadeland (85.7% White), and Buck Creek (84.4% White).

Lafayette's Black Population

7,356 residents of Lafayette, or 10.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Lafayette is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 9.1% of the population is Black. Lafayette ranks 27th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Lafayette's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.3%.

Lafayette is more Black than neighboring West Lafayette (3.5% Black), Dayton (1.5% Black), Battle Ground (1% Black), Shadeland (0.9% Black), and Buck Creek (0% Black).

Lafayette's Asian Population

1,768 residents of Lafayette, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Lafayette is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 2.6% of the population is Asian. Lafayette ranks 57th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's Asian population has grown by an estimated 38.1%. Asian residents' share of Lafayette's population has increased from 1.8% to 2.5%.

Lafayette is more Asian than neighboring Dayton (0.3% Asian), Battle Ground (0% Asian), Shadeland (1.7% Asian), and Buck Creek (0% Asian). Lafayette is less Asian than neighboring West Lafayette (21.9% Asian).

Lafayette's Hispanic Population

10,274 residents of Lafayette, or 14.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Lafayette is higher than in Indiana overall, where 8.6% of the population is Hispanic. Lafayette ranks 36th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 2.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Lafayette's population has remained roughly unchanged at 14.4%.

Lafayette is more Hispanic than neighboring West Lafayette (5.5% Hispanic), Dayton (9.8% Hispanic), Battle Ground (7.1% Hispanic), Shadeland (7.4% Hispanic), and Buck Creek (0% Hispanic).

Lafayette's Native American/Other Population

470 residents of Lafayette, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Lafayette is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Lafayette ranks 134th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 11.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Lafayette's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Lafayette is more Native American/Other than neighboring West Lafayette (0.4% Native American/Other), Dayton (0% Native American/Other), Shadeland (0% Native American/Other), and Buck Creek (0% Native American/Other). Lafayette is less Native American/Other than neighboring Battle Ground (1.2% Native American/Other).

Lafayette's Multiracial Population

2,401 residents of Lafayette, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Lafayette is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Lafayette ranks 176th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 23.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Lafayette's population has decreased from 4.4% to 3.4%.

Lafayette is more Multiracial than neighboring Dayton (1.5% Multiracial), and Battle Ground (2.7% Multiracial). Lafayette is less Multiracial than neighboring West Lafayette (3.5% Multiracial), Shadeland (4.2% Multiracial), and Buck Creek (15.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.