Lafayette
Louisiana

What stands out

What stands out about Lafayette Parish: rainfall is in the top 2% of American counties (62 inches a year), natural-hazard risk is in the top 2% of American counties (98 of 100), and the average temperature is in the top 5% of American counties (69°F). Within Louisiana it ranks 1st of 64 counties for rainfall.

Where you are

You live in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. 243,175 people live here with you. The population grew 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +12).

Louisiana moved to a flat 3% income tax in 2025 and has one of the highest combined sales-tax rates in the nation. The homestead exemption removes the first $75,000 of home value from property tax, which keeps property bills low. Hurricane and flood exposure drives insurance costs across the southern parishes, and several insurers have left the state since 2020.

Money

The typical household here brings in $66,617 a year, higher than 67% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $58,120. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 60% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Louisiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,999 a year.

Home

The median home costs $239K, pricier than 52% of American counties, about 2.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $970 a month. Property tax is 0.56% of home value, roughly $1,246 a year on that median home, lower than 82% of American counties. 66% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 50% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.5 years, longer than 58% of American counties. There are 1,015 active physicians in the county, about 41.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 8.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 29 points. 64% of eligible voters turned out. Under Louisiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 69°F, highs near 80 and lows near 59, warmer than 95% of American counties. About 62 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 98 out of 100, riskier than 98% of American counties; the county has had 43 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 254 Mbps down, faster than 76% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 4 museums.