Lafayette, LA Metro Area

Lafayette, LA · Metro Area

413,428Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 4 counties (1 central, 3 outlying), part of the Lafayette-New Iberia-Opelousas, LA combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $60,892
Median home value: $214,400
Land area: 2,834 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Lafayette Parish, LA	Central	247,997	$67,451	$242,900
Vermilion Parish, LA	Outlying	57,123	$55,707	$163,300
Acadia Parish, LA	Outlying	56,955	$45,562	$155,500
St. Martin Parish, LA	Outlying	51,353	$55,960	$164,200

Largest cities and towns

31 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Lafayette, LA	City	121,715	$61,915
Youngsville, LA	City	17,427	$105,876
Broussard, LA	City	14,322	$116,179
Carencro, LA	City	11,619	$63,401
Crowley, LA	City	11,422	$28,642
Abbeville, LA	City	11,003	$33,015
Eunice, LA	City	9,239	$35,436
Scott, LA	City	8,609	$56,299
Breaux Bridge, LA	City	7,501	$47,806
Rayne, LA	City	7,105	$42,151
St. Martinville, LA	City	5,297	$36,130
Kaplan, LA	City	4,238	$40,109
Church Point, LA	Town	4,096	$46,087
Milton, LA	CDP	2,793	$105,625
Maurice, LA	Village	2,584	$90,833
Ossun, LA	CDP	2,271	$40,810
Erath, LA	Town	1,907	$47,568
Basile, LA	Town	1,790	$52,415
Henderson, LA	Town	1,779	$48,750
Cecilia, LA	CDP	1,742	$67,109
Cade, LA	CDP	1,710	$72,839
Iota, LA	Town	1,481	$40,833
Gueydan, LA	Town	1,464	$27,891
Duson, LA	Town	1,282	$25,054
Morse, LA	Village	1,099	$53,393

Also in the Lafayette-New Iberia-Opelousas, LA combined area

Opelousas, LA · micro · 81,670 New Iberia, LA · micro · 68,599

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

18.4%

Unemployment

5.3%

College Educated

27.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$60,892

Mean Household Income

$88,087

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.8%

Female

51.2%

Population Split

Male48.8%

Female51.2%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

French17.2%

German7.3%

English5.6%

Irish4.9%

Italian3.1%

Mexican1.9%

Scottish0.8%

Polish0.6%

African0.4%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

3.9%Foreign Born

96.1%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized37.4%

Non-Citizen62.6%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later55.7%

Before 201044.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

187,261

Median Rent

$977/mo

Median Home Value

$214,400

Median Year Built

1987

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

99,642

College Enrollment

16.1%

High School

22.6%

College Educated

27.6%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

25.1 min

Drive Alone Rate

81.0%

Public Transit

0.4%

Work From Home

8.9%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

24.5%

18-34 Years

22.1%

35-64 Years

37.9%

65+ Years

15.5%

Population Composition

Under 1824.5%

18-3422.1%

35-6437.9%

65+15.5%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

45.1%

Single Parent

7.3%

Living Alone

30.0%

Avg Size

2.49

Household Types

Married Couples45.1%

Single Parent7.3%

Living Alone30.0%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$35,892

SNAP Usage

15.7%

Health Insurance

92.1%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k22.3%

$25k - $50k20.4%

$50k - $100k27.1%

$100k+30.1%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

6.3%

Retail Trade

11.9%

Education & Health Care

25.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

14.6%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

92.1%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

88.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

92.9%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

87.2

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

155.1

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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