West Lafayette, IN Demographics

A map of West Lafayette's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	29,481	27,007	65.3%	60.6%
Asian	9,873	8,532	21.9%	19.1%
Hispanic	2,472	2,820	5.5%	6.3%
Multiracial	1,579	4,229	3.5%	9.5%
Black	1,567	1,721	3.5%	3.9%
Native American/Other	187	286	0.4%	0.6%

West Lafayette, Indiana has an estimated population of 45,159, a slight increase from the 44,595 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 65.3% White, 21.9% Asian, 5.5% Hispanic, 3.5% Black, 3.5% Multiracial, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of West Lafayette, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

West Lafayette has become considerably 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 West Lafayette, that probability was 58.2% in 2020 and 52.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

West Lafayette is ranked the 23rd 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). West Lafayette was ranked the 23rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

West Lafayette's White Population

29,481 residents of West Lafayette, or 65.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in West Lafayette is considerably lower than in Indiana overall, where 75.4% of the population is White. West Lafayette ranks 676th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Lafayette's White population has grown by an estimated 9.2%. White residents' share of West Lafayette's population has increased from 60.6% to 65.3%.

West Lafayette is less White than neighboring Lafayette (68.7% White), Battle Ground (88.1% White), Shadeland (85.7% White), Montmorenci (100% White), and West Point (100% White).

West Lafayette's Black Population

1,567 residents of West Lafayette, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in West Lafayette is lower than in Indiana overall, where 9.1% of the population is Black. West Lafayette ranks 73rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Lafayette's Black population has declined by an estimated 8.9%. Black residents' share of West Lafayette's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.5%.

West Lafayette is more Black than neighboring Battle Ground (1% Black), Shadeland (0.9% Black), Montmorenci (0% Black), and West Point (0% Black). West Lafayette is less Black than neighboring Lafayette (10.3% Black).

West Lafayette's Asian Population

9,873 residents of West Lafayette, or 21.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in West Lafayette is significantly higher than in Indiana overall, where 2.6% of the population is Asian. West Lafayette ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Lafayette's Asian population has grown by an estimated 15.7%. Asian residents' share of West Lafayette's population has increased from 19.1% to 21.9%.

West Lafayette is more Asian than neighboring Lafayette (2.5% Asian), Battle Ground (0% Asian), Shadeland (1.7% Asian), Montmorenci (0% Asian), and West Point (0% Asian).

West Lafayette's Hispanic Population

2,472 residents of West Lafayette, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in West Lafayette is slightly lower than in Indiana overall, where 8.6% of the population is Hispanic. West Lafayette ranks 121st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Lafayette's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 12.3%. Hispanic residents' share of West Lafayette's population has decreased from 6.3% to 5.5%.

West Lafayette is more Hispanic than neighboring Montmorenci (0% Hispanic), and West Point (0% Hispanic). West Lafayette is less Hispanic than neighboring Lafayette (14.4% Hispanic), Battle Ground (7.1% Hispanic), and Shadeland (7.4% Hispanic).

West Lafayette's Native American/Other Population

187 residents of West Lafayette, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in West Lafayette is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. West Lafayette ranks 187th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Lafayette's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 34.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of West Lafayette's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

West Lafayette is more Native American/Other than neighboring Shadeland (0% Native American/Other), Montmorenci (0% Native American/Other), and West Point (0% Native American/Other). West Lafayette is less Native American/Other than neighboring Lafayette (0.7% Native American/Other), and Battle Ground (1.2% Native American/Other).

West Lafayette's Multiracial Population

1,579 residents of West Lafayette, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in West Lafayette is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. West Lafayette ranks 8th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Lafayette's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 62.7%. Multiracial residents' share of West Lafayette's population has decreased from 9.5% to 3.5%.

West Lafayette is more Multiracial than neighboring Lafayette (3.4% Multiracial), Battle Ground (2.7% Multiracial), Montmorenci (0% Multiracial), and West Point (0% Multiracial). West Lafayette is less Multiracial than neighboring Shadeland (4.2% 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.