Lafayette, Louisiana Income Statistics
Lafayette Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
C
Lafayette Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Lafayette | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $60,972 | $60,934 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,591 | $53,184 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.3% | 3.7% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.2% | 9.7% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 8.4% | 7.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Lafayette is about the same as in Louisiana. Income has been growing slower in Lafayette (3.3%/yr) than in Louisiana (3.7%/yr).
About 11% of adults in Lafayette earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Louisiana average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Lafayette, Louisiana grew by 40.7% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $60,972 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.3% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Lafayette
| Metric | Lafayette | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.568 | 0.574 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $63,415 | $65,171 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $45,932 | $47,031 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 27.6% | 27.8% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Lafayette, it is 0.568, lower than Louisiana's 0.574, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.552, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 38% more than women's income in Lafayette, Louisiana. Over a 35-year career, a 38% wage gap accumulates to roughly $611,905 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lafayette, Louisiana has narrowed from about 35% to 28% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 36% in 2010. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,235 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Lafayette | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.5% | 8.1% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 3,277 people are unemployed in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The average commute time in Lafayette is 16 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Louisiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Lafayette, Louisiana has fallen from 5.9% to 5.6% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 6.7% in 2014 and fell as low as 5.2% in 2018.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Lafayette, Louisiana has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat better than Louisiana, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Lafayette, Louisiana.
How Rich Is Lafayette, Louisiana?
Lafayette has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $60,972, close to the Louisiana average of $60,934.
How has median household income changed in Lafayette, Louisiana?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Lafayette, Louisiana rose 41%, from $43,336 to $60,972. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Louisiana as a whole: +41% against +44%.
What was the median household income in Lafayette in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Lafayette, Louisiana was $59,623, up 3% from $57,643 in 2022. The Louisiana median that year was $60,038.
What was the median household income in Lafayette in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Lafayette, Louisiana was $53,669. By 2024 it had risen 14% to $60,972.
What is the Gini coefficient in Lafayette, Louisiana?
The Gini coefficient in Lafayette is 0.568. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Lafayette, Louisiana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lafayette, Louisiana has narrowed from about 35% to 28% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 36% in 2010. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,235 since 2009.
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