Lafayette

About Lafayette

Lafayette ( LA(H)-fee-YET, French: [lafajɛt]) is a city in Louisiana and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish. It is located along the Vermilion River. It is Louisiana's fourth-most populous city with a 2020 census population of 121,374; the consolidated city-parish's population was 241,753 in 2020. The Lafayette metropolitan area was Louisiana's third largest metropolitan statistical area with a population of 478,384 at the 2020 census. The Acadiana region containing Lafayette is the largest population and economic corridor between Houston, Texas and New Orleans.

Originally established as Vermilionville in the 1820s and incorporated in 1836, Lafayette developed as an agricultural community until the introduction of retail and entertainment centers, and the discovery of oil in the area in the 1940s. Since the discovery of oil, the city and parish have had the highest number of workers in the oil and natural gas industry in Louisiana as of 2018. With the issuance of a bond ordinance for a series of roads connecting nearby settlements, the establishment of the University of Louisiana System's Lafayette campus, and the continued diversification of its economy, Lafayette and its metropolitan area have experienced population growth since the 1840 census, with the city being called "The Hub City." The city and parish of Lafayette are also known as the "Heart of Acadiana."

As a result of its growth, the city and region have become major centers for the technology industry; Lafayette has also become a major center for health care and social services, aerospace, banking, and retail. Notable corporations with headquarters or a large presence in the Lafayette area include Amazon, Brookshire Grocery Company, CGI, JP Morgan Chase, Ochsner Health System, Petroleum Helicopters International, and Rouses Markets.

Lafayette is home to a diverse population from Louisiana Creole and Cajun backgrounds. The city and region's cultural icons include Alexandre Mouton House, Brandt House, Charles H. Mouton House, the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Daigle House, First United Methodist Church, Holy Rosary Institute, Hope Lodge No. 145, and Old Lafayette City Hall. Its educational institutions include the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College, and Remington College.

Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Lafayette weather: 7-day forecast

Source: National Weather Service (NOAA).

Live webcams in Lafayette

Webcams: Windy.com

Living in Lafayette

Median household income

$61,915

Median home value

$257,000

Median rent

$1,100/mo

Median age

36.9

Map of Lafayette

Tap any street on the map to see it in Street View below. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Lafayette Street View

Drag the image to look around and tap the arrows on the ground to move. If it says there is no imagery, tap a nearby street on the map above.

Lafayette, LA population

Lafayette had 121,374 residents in the 2020 Census.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.

Lafayette at a glance

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.

Towns near Lafayette

• Scott4.5 mi NW
• Broussard6.5 mi SE
• Milton6.9 mi S
• Ossun7.0 mi NW
• Carencro7.3 mi N
• Youngsville7.9 mi S
• Maurice9.0 mi SW
• Breaux Bridge9.0 mi NE
• Duson9.8 mi W
• Cankton10.8 mi NW
• Cade11.0 mi SE
• Parks12.0 mi E

Straight-line distance between town centers.

Frequently asked questions about Lafayette