West Lafayette, IN

Census Place

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2021 Population

44,515

10.4% 1-year decline

US Senator

Todd Young

Republican Party

US Senator

Mike Braun

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

21.5

0.463% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

37.5%

5.8% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$28,744

8.63% 1-year decline

2021 Median Property Value

$248,100

5.44% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

19,950

6.82% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, West Lafayette, IN had a population of 44.5k people with a median age of 21.5 and a median household income of $28,744. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of West Lafayette, IN declined from 49,668 to 44,515, a −10.4% decrease and its median household income declined from $31,460 to $28,744, a −8.63% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in West Lafayette, IN are White (Non-Hispanic) (66.1%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (21.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.69%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.39%), and White (Hispanic) (2.17%).

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.

83.3% of the residents in West Lafayette, IN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in West Lafayette, IN are Purdue University-Main Campus (12,568 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in West Lafayette, IN was $248,100, and the homeownership rate was 30.6%.

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 2 cars per household.

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

Population & Diversity

West Lafayette, IN is home to a population of 44.5k people, from which 83.3% are citizens. As of 2021, 22.8% of West Lafayette, IN residents were born outside of the country (10.1k people).

In 2021, there were 3.04 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (29.4k people) in West Lafayette, IN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.69k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 1.64k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

83.3%

2021 Citizenship

83%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 83.3% of West Lafayette, IN residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in West Lafayette, IN was 83%, 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)
29.4k ± 783
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
9.69k ± 668
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
1.64k ± 340

4.34%

Hispanic Population

1.93k people

4.34% of the people in West Lafayette, IN are hispanic (1.93k people).

The following chart shows the 7 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
100,393 ± 7,721 people
India
33,054 ± 4,453 people
China
20,560 ± 3,515 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Indiana was Mexico, the natal country of 100,393 Indiana residents, followed by India with 33,054 and China with 20,560.

Foreign-Born Population

22.8%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

10.1k people

22.6%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

11.2k people

As of 2021, 22.8% of West Lafayette, IN residents (10.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in West Lafayette, IN was 22.6%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Korea
177 ± 138
Vietnam
169 ± 84
Gulf War (2001-)
126 ± 85

West Lafayette, IN has a large population of military personnel who served in Korea, 1.05 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of West Lafayette, IN employs 20k people. The largest industries in West Lafayette, IN are Educational Services (8,086 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,438 people), and Manufacturing (1,660 people), and the highest paying industries are Public Administration ($41,439), Transportation & Warehousing ($38,571), and Manufacturing ($31,809).

Males in Indiana have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $49,653. The income inequality in Indiana (measured using the Gini index) is 0.449, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

20k

2021 Value

± 1,127

−6.82%

1 Year decline

± 8.63%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in West Lafayette, IN declined at a rate of −6.82%, from 21.4k employees to 20k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Lafayette, IN, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (4,392 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (2,073 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,816 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 false.

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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

20k

2021 Value

± 1,127

−6.82%

1 Year decline

± 8.63%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in West Lafayette, IN declined at a rate of −6.82%, from 21.4k employees to 20k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Lafayette, IN, are Educational Services (8,086 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,438 people), and Manufacturing (1,660 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

$18,232

Median earning men ± $1,621

$11,102

Median earning women ± $2,017

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($72,946), Wholesale Trade ($36,250), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($35,938).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($40,038), Manufacturing ($31,464), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($17,982).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Indiana. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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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

In 2020, the top outbound Indiana product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $74B, followed by Mixed freight ($43.5B) and Machinery ($35.1B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Indiana.

$465B

2020 Value in Indiana

$895B

Projected 2050 Value in Indiana

92.4% growth

In 2020, total outbound Indiana trade was $465B. This is expected to increase 92.4% to $895B by 2050.

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

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

Illinois
$38.6B
Ohio
$37.8B
Michigan
$36.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Indiana domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $38.6B, followed by Ohio with $37.8B and Michigan and $36.8B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Indiana went to Donald J. Trump with 57% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.95%).

Todd Young and Mike Braun 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.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (57%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (41%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.95%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Indiana went to Donald J. Trump with 57% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.95%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Indiana for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

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

Mike Braun

Senator from Indiana

Assumed office on January 3, 2019

Todd Young and Mike Braun 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.

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.

Education

In 2021, universities in West Lafayette, IN awarded 12,568 degrees. The student population of West Lafayette, IN in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 29,057 male students and 21,287 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Lafayette, IN are White (7,377 and 74.3%), followed by Asian (959 and 9.66%), Hispanic or Latino (633 and 6.38%), and Two or More Races (376 and 3.79%).

The largest universities in West Lafayette, IN by number of degrees awarded are Purdue University-Main Campus (12,568 and 100%).

The most popular majors in West Lafayette, IN are General Business Administration & Management (688 and 5.47%), Mechanical Engineering (582 and 4.63%), and Computer Science (572 and 4.55%).

The median tuition cost in West Lafayette, IN for a public four year colleges is $9,718 for in-state students and $28,520 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in West Lafayette, IN, the percentage of applicants admitted was 68.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 25.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 50,344 (57.7% men and 42.3% 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 2021 there were 50,344 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN, 57.7% men and 42.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 28,982 records, of which 44.9% were women and 55.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Computer Science
476 degrees awarded
Mechanical Engineering
395 degrees awarded
Industrial Engineering
264 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in West Lafayette, IN was Computer Science with 476 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

Purdue University-Main Campus

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

12,568 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Purdue University-Main Campus with 12,568 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 6,963 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Lafayette, IN, which is 1.24 times more than the 5,605 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 7,377 degrees mean that there were 7.69 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 959 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 ($9,718) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($274) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.712% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.727% of women were in the same situation.

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

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 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.73M), Some college (1.13M), and Bachelors Degree (856k).

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.

Housing & Living

The median property value in West Lafayette, IN was $248,100 in 2021, which is 1.01 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $235,300 to $248,100, a 5.44% increase. The homeownership rate in West Lafayette, IN is 30.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

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 approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in West Lafayette, IN is $28,744. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in West Lafayette, IN was Census Tract 51.02 with a value of $100,597, followed by Census Tract 106 and Census Tract 52, with respective values of $95,094 and $72,667.

Housing

Property

$248,100

Median Property Value 2021

±$15,051

$4,154

Median Property Taxes

±$450

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 $2k - $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

30.6%

Homeownership

2021

64.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 30.6% of the housing units in West Lafayette, IN were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 34.6%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 51.02
Census Tract 106
Census Tract 52

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in West Lafayette, IN was Census Tract 51.02 with a value of $100,597, followed by Census Tract 106 and Census Tract 52, with respective values of $95,094 and $72,667.

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

Household Income

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

$28,744

Median Household Income

± $4,261

13.6k

Number of Households

± 1,009

In 2021, the median household income of the 13.6k households in West Lafayette, IN declined from $28,744 from the previous year's value of $31,460.

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.

0.449

2021 Wage GINI in Indiana

0.451

2020 Wage GINI in Indiana

In 2021, the income inequality in Indiana was 0.449 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.514% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Indiana was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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 2021

Drove Alone (54.4%)
Walked (23.3%)
Worked At Home (7.64%)

In 2021, 54.4% of workers in West Lafayette, IN drove alone to work, followed by those who walked to work (23.3%) and those who worked at home (7.64%).

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

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 (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 0.478% 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

37.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Lafayette, IN (11.1k out of 29.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. 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 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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

96.5% of the population of West Lafayette, IN has health coverage, with 65.2% on employee plans, 4.45% on Medicaid, 4.8% on Medicare, 21.2% on non-group plans, and 0.799% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Tippecanoe County, IN see 1450 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.0689% decrease from the previous year (1451 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2064 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 643 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Tippecanoe County, IN.

1,450 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Tippecanoe County, IN

Primary care physicians in Tippecanoe County, IN see an average of 1,450 patients per year. This represents a 0.0689% decrease from the previous year (1,451 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Tippecanoe County, IN in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.8% under 18 years, 60.4% between 18 and 34 years, 14.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 6.47% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 54.2% were men and 45.8% were women.

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

Uninsured People

3.5%

Uninsured

65.2%

Employer Coverage

4.45%

Medicaid

4.8%

Medicare

21.2%

Non-Group

0.799%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Lafayette, IN declined by 6.3% from 3.73% to 3.5%.

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.