Lafayette, LA Demographics

A map of Lafayette's Population by Race

Lafayette, Louisiana has an estimated population of 121,715, a less than 1% change from the 121,374 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 56.1% White, 29.0% Black, 8.1% Hispanic, 4.0% Multiracial, 2.2% Asian, and 0.5% 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 more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is about as diverse as Louisiana 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 57.7% in 2020 and 59.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Lafayette is ranked the 5th most populous place in Louisiana, out of 489 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 5th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Lafayette's White Population

68,304 residents of Lafayette, or 56.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Lafayette is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 55.7% of the population is White. Lafayette ranks 277th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's White population has declined by an estimated 1.2%. White residents' share of Lafayette's population has decreased from 56.9% to 56.1%.

Lafayette is more White than neighboring Carencro (36.9% White), and Ossun (38.7% White). Lafayette is less White than neighboring Scott (69.5% White), Milton (94.6% White), and Broussard (74.1% White).

Lafayette's Black Population

35,285 residents of Lafayette, or 29.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Lafayette is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 30.5% of the population is Black. Lafayette ranks 212th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.7%. Black residents' share of Lafayette's population has decreased from 30.5% to 29.0%.

Lafayette is more Black than neighboring Scott (19.6% Black), Milton (4.3% Black), and Broussard (16.6% Black). Lafayette is less Black than neighboring Carencro (52.6% Black), and Ossun (44.6% Black).

Lafayette's Asian Population

2,699 residents of Lafayette, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Lafayette is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Lafayette ranks 50th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's Asian population has declined by an estimated 13.9%. Asian residents' share of Lafayette's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.2%.

Lafayette is more Asian than neighboring Scott (1.3% Asian), Milton (0.8% Asian), Broussard (1.7% Asian), Carencro (2.1% Asian), and Ossun (0% Asian).

Lafayette's Hispanic Population

9,853 residents of Lafayette, or 8.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Lafayette is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 7.2% of the population is Hispanic. Lafayette ranks 105th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 30.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Lafayette's population has increased from 6.2% to 8.1%.

Lafayette is more Hispanic than neighboring Scott (6.8% Hispanic), Milton (0% Hispanic), Broussard (4.8% Hispanic), Carencro (2.7% Hispanic), and Ossun (2.2% Hispanic).

Lafayette's Native American/Other Population

661 residents of Lafayette, or 0.5% 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 Louisiana overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Lafayette ranks 239th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 20.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Lafayette's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Lafayette is more Native American/Other than neighboring Scott (0.1% Native American/Other), Milton (0% Native American/Other), and Broussard (0% Native American/Other). Lafayette is less Native American/Other than neighboring Carencro (1.1% Native American/Other), and Ossun (2.4% Native American/Other).

Lafayette's Multiracial Population

4,913 residents of Lafayette, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Lafayette is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Lafayette ranks 287th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lafayette's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 31.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Lafayette's population has increased from 3.1% to 4.0%.

Lafayette is more Multiracial than neighboring Scott (2.8% Multiracial), Milton (0.4% Multiracial), and Broussard (2.9% Multiracial). Lafayette is less Multiracial than neighboring Carencro (4.6% Multiracial), and Ossun (12.1% 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.