West Lafayette, IN

Census Place

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2024 Population

45,159

US Senator

Todd Young

Republican Party

US Senator

Jim Banks

Republican Party

2024 Poverty Rate

37.3%

0.0865% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$34,891

4.16% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$350,000

10% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

20,295

0.51% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in West Lafayette, IN reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

86.2% of the residents in West Lafayette, IN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in West Lafayette, IN are Purdue University Global (19,618 degrees awarded in 2024) and Purdue University-Main Campus (14,799 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in West Lafayette, IN was $350,000, and the homeownership rate was 29.4%.

Most people in West Lafayette, IN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.1 minutes. The average car ownership in West Lafayette, IN was 2 cars per household.

United States Indiana Tippecanoe County, IN Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN Tippecanoe County--Lafayette & West Lafayette Cities PUMA, IN

Population & Diversity

West Lafayette, IN is home to a population of 45.2k people, from which 86.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 20.4% of West Lafayette, IN residents were born outside of the country (9.2k people).

In 2024, there were 2.99 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (29.5k people) in West Lafayette, IN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.87k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 1.57k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

86.2%

2024 Citizenship

85.6%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 86.2% of West Lafayette, IN residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in West Lafayette, IN was 85.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in West Lafayette, IN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in West Lafayette, IN

White (Non-Hispanic)
29.5k ± 849
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
9.87k ± 634
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
1.57k ± 408

5.47%

Hispanic Population

2.47k people

5.47% of the people in West Lafayette, IN are hispanic (2.47k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in West Lafayette, IN as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Indiana.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
111,417 ± 8,128 people
India
37,388 ± 4,734 people
Nigeria
18,164 ± 3,304 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Indiana was Mexico, the natal country of 111,417 Indiana residents, followed by India with 37,388 and Nigeria with 18,164.

Foreign-Born Population

20.4%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

9.2k people

21%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

9.39k people

As of 2024, 20.4% of West Lafayette, IN residents (9.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in West Lafayette, IN was 21%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in West Lafayette, IN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Korea
226 ± 214
Gulf War (2001-)
191 ± 92
Vietnam
132 ± 71

West Lafayette, IN has a large population of military personnel who served in Korea, 1.18 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in West Lafayette, IN.

Health

97.5% of the population of West Lafayette, IN has health coverage, with 67.9% on employee plans, 3.96% on Medicaid, 5.44% on Medicare, 19.3% on non-group plans, and 0.911% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Indiana see 1,524 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,524 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1681 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 474 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 55.8% were men and 44.2% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 19.8% under 18 years, 58.8% between 18 and 34 years, 14.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 7.22% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 55.8% were men and 44.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

2.49%

Uninsured

67.9%

Employer Coverage

3.96%

Medicaid

5.44%

Medicare

19.3%

Non-Group

0.911%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Lafayette, IN declined by 7.38% from 2.69% to 2.49%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in West Lafayette, IN changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of West Lafayette, IN employs 20.3k people. In 2024, the largest industries in West Lafayette, IN were Educational Services (7,799 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,264 people), and Manufacturing (1,816 people), and the highest paying industries were Public Administration ($78,684), Wholesale Trade ($41,176), and Finance & Insurance ($38,958).

Employment

Occupations

20.3k

2024 Value

± 1,206

0.51%

1 Year growth

± 8.47%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in West Lafayette, IN grew at a rate of 0.51%, from 20.2k employees to 20.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Lafayette, IN, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (4,793 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1,908 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,765 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of West Lafayette, IN.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Indiana.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Indiana (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

20.3k

2024 Value

± 1,206

0.51%

1 Year growth

± 8.47%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in West Lafayette, IN grew at a rate of 0.51%, from 20.2k employees to 20.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Lafayette, IN, are Educational Services (7,799 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,264 people), and Manufacturing (1,816 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of West Lafayette, IN, though some of these residents may live in West Lafayette, IN and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$22,407

Median earning men ± $1,911

$13,191

Median earning women ± $1,722

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($83,194), Wholesale Trade ($41,838), and Manufacturing ($39,490).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($38,281), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($31,906), and Other Services Except Public Administration ($25,444).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Indiana.

Y-Axis

2.48%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.21M people employed in Indiana. This represents a 2.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 15.4%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Indiana.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Indiana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (39.8%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1%).

Todd Young and Jim Banks are the senators currently representing the state of Indiana. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Indiana is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for West Lafayette, IN. Showing the available data for Indiana.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (58.8%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (39.8%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (1%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Indiana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (39.8%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Indiana for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Indiana

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Indiana.

Todd Young

Senator from Indiana

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Jim Banks

Senator from Indiana

Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Todd Young and Jim Banks are the senators currently representing Indiana.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Indiana over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in West Lafayette, IN awarded 34,417 degrees. The student population of West Lafayette, IN in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 52,118 male students and 52,128 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Lafayette, IN are White (18,745 and 59.6%), Hispanic or Latino (3,674 and 11.7%), Black or African American (3,665 and 11.6%), and Asian (2,493 and 7.92%).

The largest universities in West Lafayette, IN by number of degrees awarded are Purdue University Global (19,618 and 57%) and Purdue University-Main Campus (14,799 and 43%).

The most popular majors in West Lafayette, IN are General Business Administration & Management (4,954 and 14.4%), Computer & Information Systems Security (1,669 and 4.85%), and Behavioral Sciences (1,179 and 3.43%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $9,899 for in-state students and $20,938 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in West Lafayette, IN, the percentage of applicants admitted was 49.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 29.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 104,246 (50% men and 50% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 104,246 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN, 50% men and 50% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 52,624 records, of which 51.2% were women and 48.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
1,089 degrees awarded
Health Care Administration & Management
612 degrees awarded
General Health & Wellness
547 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in West Lafayette, IN was General Business Administration & Management with 1,089 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in West Lafayette, IN according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Purdue University Global
19,618 degrees awarded
Purdue University-Main Campus
14,799 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Purdue University Global with 19,618 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 16,571 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Lafayette, IN, which is 0.929 times less than the 17,846 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 18,745 degrees mean that there were 5.1 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 3,674 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($9,899) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($148) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,030) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in West Lafayette, IN was $350,000 in 2024, which is 1.05 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $318,100 to $350,000, a 10% increase. The homeownership rate in West Lafayette, IN is 29.4%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in West Lafayette, IN have an average commute time of 16.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in West Lafayette, IN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$350,000

Median Property Value 2024

±$11,702

$4,424

Median Property Taxes

±$441

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In West Lafayette, IN the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in West Lafayette, IN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

29.4%

Homeownership

2024

64.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 29.4% of the housing units in West Lafayette, IN were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 30.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in West Lafayette, IN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$34,891

Median Household Income

± $4,238

15.1k

Number of Households

± 1,045

In 2024, the median household income of the 15.1k households in West Lafayette, IN grew to $34,891 from the previous year's value of $33,497.

The following chart displays the households in West Lafayette, IN distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for West Lafayette, IN is from Indiana.

0.442

2024 Wage GINI in Indiana

0.445

2023 Wage GINI in Indiana

In 2024, the income inequality in Indiana was 0.442 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.807% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Indiana was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Indiana in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Indiana across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (48.3%)
Walked (22.4%)
Worked At Home (15.1%)

In 2024, 48.3% of workers in West Lafayette, IN drove alone to work, followed by those who walked to work (22.4%) and those who worked at home (15.1%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

16.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Lafayette, IN have a shorter commute time (16.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0.359% of the workforce in West Lafayette, IN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in West Lafayette, IN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in West Lafayette, IN distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in West Lafayette, IN have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

37.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Lafayette, IN (11.5k out of 30.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in West Lafayette, IN is White, followed by Asian and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.