West Lafayette, IN

Census Place

Add Comparison
2023 Population
44,802
0.132% 1-year decline
US Senator
Todd Young
Republican Party
US Senator
Jim Banks
Republican Party
2023 Median Age
21.4
0% 1-year change
2023 Poverty Rate
37.4%
4.63% 1-year decrease
2023 Median Household Income
$33,497
10.5% 1-year growth
2023 Median Property Value
$318,100
4.88% 1-year growth
2023 Employed Population
20,192
1.85% 1-year growth

About

In 2023, West Lafayette, IN had a population of 44.8k people with a median age of 21.4 and a median household income of $33,497. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of West Lafayette, IN declined from 44,861 to 44,802, a −0.132% decrease and its median household income grew from $30,317 to $33,497, a 10.5% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in West Lafayette, IN are White (Non-Hispanic) (66.4%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (20.3%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.67%), Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) (2.79%), and White (Hispanic) (2.31%).

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.

The largest universities in West Lafayette, IN are Purdue University Global (16,892 degrees awarded in 2023) and Purdue University-Main Campus (14,360 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in West Lafayette, IN was $318,100, and the homeownership rate was 30.5%.

Most people in West Lafayette, IN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15.4 minutes. The average car ownership in West Lafayette, IN was 1 car per household.

Population & Diversity

In 2023, there were 3.27 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (29.8k people) in West Lafayette, IN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.1k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 1.64k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in West Lafayette, IN
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    29.8k ± 876
  2. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    9.1k ± 663
  3. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    1.64k ± 376
5.57%
Hispanic Population
2.5k people

In 2023, there were 3.27 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (29.8k people) in West Lafayette, IN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.1k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 1.64k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

5.57% of the people in West Lafayette, IN are hispanic (2.5k people).

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

View Data
Save Image

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Indiana.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    108,287 ± N/A people
  2. India
    34,966 ± N/A people
  3. China
    17,771 ± N/A people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Indiana was Mexico, the natal country of 108,287 Indiana residents, followed by India with 34,966 and China with 17,771.

View Data
Save Image

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Korea
    221 ± 191
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    170 ± 92
  3. World War II
    118 ± 93

West Lafayette, IN has a large population of military personnel who served in Korea, 1.3 times greater than any other conflict.

View Data
Save Image

Economy

The economy of West Lafayette, IN employs 20.2k people. In 2023, the largest industries in West Lafayette, IN were Educational Services (8,229 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,317 people), and Manufacturing (1,581 people), and the highest paying industries were Public Administration ($78,750), Wholesale Trade ($40,938), and Construction ($37,978).

Employment

Occupations

20.2k
2023 Value
± 1,232
1.85%
1 Year growth
± 8.46%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in West Lafayette, IN grew at a rate of 1.85%, from 19.8k employees to 20.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Lafayette, IN, are N/A. This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of West Lafayette, IN.

View Data
Save Image

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for N/A.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in N/A (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.

View Data
Save Image

Industries

Employment by Industries

20.2k
2023 Value
± 1,232
1.85%
1 Year growth
± 8.46%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in West Lafayette, IN grew at a rate of 1.85%, from 19.8k employees to 20.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Lafayette, IN, are Educational Services (8,229 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,317 people), and Manufacturing (1,581 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.

View Data
Save Image

Median Earnings by Industry

$21,596
Median earning men ± $1,557
$12,293
Median earning women ± $1,935

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Public Administration ($84,180), Wholesale Trade ($41,641), and Construction ($37,727).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($31,184), Other Services Except Public Administration ($25,949), and Public Administration ($21,705).

View Data
Save Image

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for N/A.
Y-Axis
N/A%
Year-over-year N/A
Employment change between N/A N/A and N/A N/A

As of N/A N/A, there are N/A people employed in N/A. This represents a N/A% N/A in employment when compared to N/A N/A.

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

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in N/A.

View Data
Save Image

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

Voting results are not available for West Lafayette, IN. Showing the available data for Indiana.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (58.8%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (39.8%)
    Democratic Party
  3. 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.

View Data
Save Image

Senator Elections

US Senators from Indiana

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Indiana.
Todd Young
Senator from Indiana3
Assumed office on January 3, 2017
Jim Banks
Senator from Indiana1
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.

View Data
Save Image

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Indiana

Indiana is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Indiana have changed over time starting in 2008.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Education

In 2023, universities in West Lafayette, IN awarded 31,252 degrees. The student population of West Lafayette, IN in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 47,599 male students and 49,727 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Lafayette, IN are White (17,718 and 63%), followed by Black or African American (3,130 and 11.1%), Hispanic or Latino (3,010 and 10.7%), and Asian (2,175 and 7.74%).

The largest universities in West Lafayette, IN by number of degrees awarded are Purdue University Global (16,892 and 54.1%) and Purdue University-Main Campus (14,360 and 45.9%).

The most popular majors in West Lafayette, IN are General Business Administration & Management (4,395 and 14.1%), Computer & Information Systems Security (1,122 and 3.59%), and Behavioral Sciences (884 and 2.83%).

The median tuition cost in West Lafayette, IN 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 2023 in West Lafayette, IN, the percentage of applicants admitted was 50.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 25.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 97,326 (48.9% men and 51.1% 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.

View Data
Save Image

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 97,326 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN, 48.9% men and 51.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 51,639 records, of which 52.3% were women and 47.7% men.

View Data
Save Image

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Business Administration & Management
    1,050 degrees awarded
  2. General Health & Wellness
    574 degrees awarded
  3. Health Care Administration & Management
    567 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for N/A recipients in West Lafayette, IN was General Business Administration & Management with 1,050 degrees awarded.

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

View Data
Save Image

Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Purdue University Global
    16,892 degrees awarded
  2. Purdue University-Main Campus
    14,360 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Purdue University Global with 16,892 degrees awarded.

View Data
Save Image

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 14,920 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Lafayette, IN, which is 0.914 times less than the 16,332 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 17,718 degrees mean that there were 5.66 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 3,130 degrees awarded.

View Data
Save Image

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.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($9,899) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($152) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,050) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

View Data
Save Image

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

In 2023, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.865% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

View Data
Save Image

Educational Attainment

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

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2023 were High School or Equivalent (1.75M), Some college (1.11M), and Bachelors Degree (901k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

View Data
Save Image

Housing & Living

The median property value in West Lafayette, IN was $318,100 in 2023, which is 1.05 times larger than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $303,300 to $318,100, a 4.88% increase. The homeownership rate in West Lafayette, IN is 30.5%, which is lower than the national average of 65%.

People in West Lafayette, IN have an average commute time of 15.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in West Lafayette, IN is lower than the national average, with an average of 1 car per household.

Housing

Property

$318,100
Median Property Value 2023
±$16,572
$4,434
Median Property Taxes
±$456

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.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Rent vs Own

30.5%
Homeownership
2023
64.7%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2023

In 2023, 30.5% of the housing units in West Lafayette, IN were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 29.5%.

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

View Data
Save Image

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.
Race/Ethnicity

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

View Data
Save Image

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$33,497
Median Household Income
± $3,819
14.5k
Number of Households
± 1,056

In 2023, the median household income of the 14.5k households in West Lafayette, IN grew to $33,497 from the previous year's value of $30,317.

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.

View Data
Save Image

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for West Lafayette, IN is from Indiana.
0.445
2023 Wage GINI in Indiana
0.448
2022 Wage GINI in Indiana

In 2023, the income inequality in Indiana was 0.445 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.529% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Indiana was lower than than the national average of 0.476. 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.

View Data
Save Image

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2023
  1. Drove Alone (49%)
  2. Walked (24.5%)
  3. Worked At Home (12.5%)

In 2023, 49% of workers in West Lafayette, IN drove alone to work, followed by those who walked to work (24.5%) and those who worked at home (12.5%).

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.

View Data
Save Image

Commute Time

15.4 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Lafayette, IN have a shorter commute time (15.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 0.321% 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.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Car Ownership

1 car
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 1 car.

View Data
Save Image

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

37.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Lafayette, IN (11.4k out of 30.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. 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 N/A, followed by N/A and N/A.

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.

View Data
Save Image

Health

97.3% of the population of West Lafayette, IN has health coverage, with 67% on employee plans, 4.63% on Medicaid, 5.16% on Medicare, 19.8% on non-group plans, and 0.774% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in N/A see N/A patients per year on average, which represents a N/A N/A from the previous year (N/A patients). Compare this to dentists who see N/A patients per year, and mental health providers who see N/A patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 55.2% were men and 44.8% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20% under 18 years, 58.9% between 18 and 34 years, 14.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 7.01% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 55.2% were men and 44.8% were women.

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

View Data
Save Image

Uninsured People

2.69%
Uninsured
67%
Employer Coverage
4.63%
Medicaid
5.16%
Medicare
19.8%
Non-Group
0.774%
Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Lafayette, IN declined by 8.19% from 2.93% to 2.69%.

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.

View Data
Save Image