West Lafayette, IN

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Population

45,110

1.27% growth

Median Age

21.7


Median Household Income

$31,230

8.46% growth

Poverty Rate

41.1%


Number of Employees

19,284

5.14% growth

Median Property Value

$192,600

0.26% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, West Lafayette, IN had a population of 45.1k people with a median age of 21.7 and a median household income of $31,230. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of West Lafayette, IN grew from 44,543 to 45,110, a 1.27% increase and its median household income grew from $28,793 to $31,230, a 8.46% increase.

The population of West Lafayette, IN is 65.9% White Alone, 23.8% Asian Alone, and 4.23% Hispanic or Latino. 28.3% of the people in West Lafayette, IN speak a non-English language, and 79.4% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in West Lafayette, IN are Purdue University-Main Campus (10,791 degrees awarded in 2016).

The median property value in West Lafayette, IN is $192,600, and the homeownership rate is 34.4%. Most people in West Lafayette, IN commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 14.9 minutes. The average car ownership in West Lafayette, IN is 2 cars per household.

Photo by David Cornwell

United StatesIndianaTippecanoe County, INLafayette-West Lafayette, INLafayette & West Lafayette Cities PUMA, IN

Economy

The economy of West Lafayette, IN employs 19.3k people. The largest industries in West Lafayette, IN are Educational Services (8,210 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,229 people), and Retail Trade (1,544 people), and the highest paying industries are Manufacturing ($53,571), Public Administration ($46,172), and Finance & Insurance ($35,298).

Median household income in West Lafayette, IN is $31,230. Males in West Lafayette, IN have an average income that is 1.39 times higher than the average income of females, which is $42,677. The income inequality in West Lafayette, IN (measured using the Gini index) is 0.456, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$31,230

2017 value

± $2,842

8.46%

1 Year Growth

± 13.1%

Households in West Lafayette, IN have a median annual income of $31,230, which is less than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $28,793 in 2016, which represents a 8.46% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in West Lafayette, IN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$59,508

Average Male Salary

± $1,197

$42,677

Average Female Salary

± $917

In 2017, full-time male employees in West Lafayette, IN made 1.39 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in West Lafayette, IN by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $60,595 ± $7,828

  2. White

    $45,279 ± $744

  3. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

    $41,920 ± $17,388

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of West Lafayette, IN workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.34 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in West Lafayette, IN by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.456

2017 Wage GINI

0.457

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Indiana was 0.456 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0682% decline from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2017 the GINI for Indiana was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 51.02

  2. Census Tract 106

  3. Census Tract 102.03

In 2017, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in West Lafayette, IN was Census Tract 51.02 with a value of $82,379, followed by Census Tract 106 and Census Tract 102.03, with respective values of $72,721 and $55,591.

The following map shows all of the places in West Lafayette, IN colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Males 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

41.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Lafayette, IN (12.7k out of 31k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    8,358 ± 807

  2. Asian

    3,531 ± 438

  3. Black

    506 ± 277

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

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

19.3k

2017 Value

± 922

5.14%

1 Year growth

± 6.67%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in West Lafayette, IN grew at a rate of 5.14%, from 18.3k employees to 19.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Lafayette, IN, are Education, Training, & Library Occupations (4,733 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,186 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1,816 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of West Lafayette, IN.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of West Lafayette, IN, by number of employees, are Education, Training, & Library Occupations (4,733 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,186 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1,816 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, West Lafayette, IN has an unusually high number of residents working as Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (5.19 times higher than expected), Education, Training, & Library Occupations (4.06 times), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations (2.53 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of West Lafayette, IN, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($126,250), Business & Financial Operations Occupations ($58,472), and Management, Business, & Financial Occupations ($58,015).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

19.3k

2017 Value

± 922

5.14%

1 Year growth

± 6.67%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in West Lafayette, IN grew at a rate of 5.14%, from 18.3k employees to 19.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Lafayette, IN, are Educational Services (8,210 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,229 people), and Retail Trade (1,544 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in West Lafayette, IN, by number of employees, are Educational Services (8,210 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,229 people), and Retail Trade (1,544 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, West Lafayette, IN has an unusually high number of Educational Services (4.59 times higher than expected), Accommodation & Food Services (1.52 times), and Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1.45 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in West Lafayette, IN, by median earnings, are Manufacturing ($53,571), Public Administration ($46,172), and Finance & Insurance ($35,298).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Indiana to other states, or from other states to Indiana.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Motorized vehicles

    $69.1B

  2. Base metals

    $42.9B

  3. Mixed freight

    $39.9B

In 2015, the top outbound Indiana product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $69.1B, followed by Base metals with $42.9B and Mixed freight and $39.9B.

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Indiana products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Indiana state.

$446B

2015 Value

$698B

Projected 2045 Value

56.6% growth

In 2015, total outbound Indiana trade was $446B. This is expected to increase 56.6% to $698B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Indiana trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Indiana to other states, or from other states to Indiana.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. Ohio

    $39.9B

  2. Michigan

    $32.7B

  3. Illinois

    $31.7B

In 2015, the top outbound Indiana domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Ohio with $39.9B, followed by Michigan with $32.7B and Illinois and $31.7B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Indiana shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

94.5% of the population of West Lafayette, IN has health coverage, with 61.2% on employee plans, 3.81% on Medicaid, 4.54% on Medicare, 24.2% on non-group plans, and 0.775% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the place of West Lafayette, IN was $8,300 in 2014. This is a 4.76% increase from the previous year ($7,923).

Primary care physicians in West Lafayette, IN see 1505 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.07% increase from the previous year (1489 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1852 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 701 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jay County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (15.4%). Additionally, Grant County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1505 to 1

Primary Care Physicians

Primary care physicians in Indiana see an average of 1505 patients per year. This represents a 1.07% increase from the previous year (1489 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Indiana in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

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

$8,300

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$4,078

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,285

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,714

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Indiana (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.76%, from $7,923 to $8,300.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

5.48%

Uninsured

61.2%

Employer Coverage

3.81%

Medicaid

4.54%

Medicare

24.2%

Non-Group

0.775%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Lafayette, IN declined by 7.44% from 5.92% to 5.48%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Jay County

    15.4% prevalence

  2. Martin County

    15.1% prevalence

  3. Rush County

    15% prevalence

Jay County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Indiana, at 15.4%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Indiana by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

West Lafayette, IN is home to a population of 45.1k people, from which 79.4% are citizens. As of 2017, 24.5% of West Lafayette, IN residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of West Lafayette, IN is composed of 29.7k White Alone residents (65.9%), 10.7k Asian Alone residents (23.8%), 1.91k Hispanic or Latino residents (4.23%), 1.37k Black or African American Alone residents (3.03%), 1.2k Two or More Races residents (2.67%), 99 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.219%), 64 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.142%), and 29 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.0643%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in West Lafayette, IN are Chinese (4,539 speakers), Spanish or Spanish Creole (1,312 speakers), and Korean (1,206 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

21

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

24

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.7

In 2017, the median age of all people in West Lafayette, IN was 21.7. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 21, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 24. But people in West Lafayette, IN are getting staying the same age. In 2016, the average age of all West Lafayette, IN residents was 22.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

24.5%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

23.9%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 24.5% of West Lafayette, IN residents were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in West Lafayette, IN was 23.9%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    106,451 ± 7,946 people

  2. India

    28,953 ± 4,168 people

  3. China

    22,599 ± 3,684 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of West Lafayette, IN was Mexico, the natal country of 106,451 West Lafayette, IN residents, followed by India with 28,953 and China with 22,599.

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Citizenship

79.4%

2017 Citizenship

79.7%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 79.4% of West Lafayette, IN residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in West Lafayette, IN was 79.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    29.7k ± 853

  2. Asian Alone

    10.7k ± 590

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    1.91k ± 311

In 2017, there were 2.77 times more White Alone residents (29.7k people) in West Lafayette, IN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 10.7k Asian Alone and 1.91k Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

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

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Chinese

    4,539 speakers (10.6%)

  2. Spanish or Spanish Creole

    1,312 speakers (3.06%)

  3. Korean

    1,206 speakers (2.82%)

28.3% of West Lafayette, IN citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is higher than the national average of 21.5%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in West Lafayette, IN was Chinese. 10.6% of the overall population of West Lafayette, IN are native Chinese speakers. 3.06% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole and 2.82% speak Chinese, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    193 ± 81

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    171 ± 112

  3. Korea

    149 ± 81

West Lafayette, IN has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.13 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in West Lafayette, IN awarded 10,791 degrees. The student population of West Lafayette, IN is skewed towards men, with 24,092 male students and 17,421 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Lafayette, IN are White (6,566 and 80.4%), followed by Asian (493 and 6.04%), Hispanic or Latino (410 and 5.02%), and Black or African American (314 and 3.85%).

The largest universities in West Lafayette, IN by number of degrees awarded are Purdue University-Main Campus (10,791 and 100%).

The most popular majors in West Lafayette, IN are General Business Administration & Management (1,302 and 12.1%), Mechanical Engineering (517 and 4.79%), and Electrical & Electronics Engineering (387 and 3.59%).

The median tuition costs in West Lafayette, IN are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $9,208 and $28,010 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Business Administration & Management

    623 degrees awarded

  2. Mechanical Engineering

    346 degrees awarded

  3. Mathematical Statistics & Probability

    211 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in West Lafayette, IN was General Business Administration & Management with 623 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Purdue University-Main Campus

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

10,791 degrees awarded

$9,208

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2016, the West Lafayette, IN institution with the largest number of graduating students was Purdue University-Main Campus with 10,791 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

6,013

Degrees Awarded to Men

4,778

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 6,013 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Lafayette, IN, which is 1.26 times more than the 4,778 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in West Lafayette, IN by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    6,566 degrees awarded

  2. Asian

    493 degrees awarded

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    410 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in West Lafayette, IN were to White students. These 6,566 degrees mean that there were 13.3 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 493 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in West Lafayette, IN was $192,600 in 2017, which is 0.885 times smaller than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $192,100 to $192,600, a 0.26% increase. The homeownership rate in West Lafayette, IN is 34.4%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in West Lafayette, IN have an average commute time of 14.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in West Lafayette, IN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

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

$31,230

Median Household Income

± $2,842

13.3k

Number of Households

± 808

In 2017, the median household income of the 13.3k households in West Lafayette, IN grew to $31,230 from the previous year's value of $28,793.

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.

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Housing

Property Value

$192,600

2017 Median

± $10,081

$192,100

2016 Median

± $10,468

In 2017, the median property value in West Lafayette, IN grew to to $192,600 from the previous year's value of $192,100.

The following charts display, first, the property values in West Lafayette, IN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In West Lafayette, IN the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

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Property Taxes

$2k - $3k

Average Range

This chart shows the households in West Lafayette, IN 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 $2k - $3k range.

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Rent vs Own

34.4%

2017 Homeownership

31.7%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 34.4% of the housing units in West Lafayette, IN were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 31.7%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in West Lafayette, IN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

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, followed by 1 car.

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Commute Time

14.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Lafayette, IN have a shorter commute time (14.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 1.28% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    50.6%

  2. Walked

    26.6%

  3. Carpooled

    7.05%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in West Lafayette, IN was Drove Alone, followed by those who Walked and those who Carpooled.

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