Louisiana

Lafayette

241,753
2020 population
1830
first census record
20
census records

About Lafayette

Lafayette, Louisiana, first appears in the United States federal census in 1830, when it recorded a population of 5,653. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 241,753.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 5 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Vermilion Bayou Skirmish, Grand Coteau — Advance Skirmish (November 1863), Battle of Grand Coteau, and 44 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020241,753
2010221,578
2000190,503
1990164,762
1980150,017
1970109,716
196084,656
195057,743
194043,941
193038,827
192030,841
191028,733
190022,825
189015,966
188013,235
187010,388
18609,003
18506,720
18407,841
18305,653
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Lafayette

Military engagements that took place in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Vermilion Bayou Skirmish
1863
Grand Coteau — Advance Skirmish (November 1863)
1863
Battle of Grand Coteau
1863
Grand Coteau Louisiana
1863
Battle of Bayou Bourbeau Louisiana
1863

Historic places in Lafayette

National Register of Historic Places listings in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Dupleix House
Youngsville
Lafayette Elementary School
Lafayette
Broussard, Valsin, House
Broussard
Freetown-Port Rico Historic District
Lafayette
Mouton, Charles H., House
Lafayette
St. Julien House
Broussard
Brandt House
Lafayette
Martin, Sidney, House
Lafayette
Latiolais, Alexandre, House
Lafayette
Hope Lodge #145
Lafayette
Comeaux House
Broussard
Mouton, Alexandre, House
Lafayette
St. John's Cathedral (Additional Documentation)
Lafayette
Main Street Historic District
Broussard
Bank of Scott
Scott
Gordon Hotel
Lafayette
Vermilion Inn
Lafayette
Roy, J. Arthur, House
Lafayette
Sterling Grove Historic District
Lafayette
Daigle House
Lafayette
First United Methodist Church
Lafayette
Holy Rosary Institute
Lafayette
Lafayette Hardware Store
Lafayette
Elrose
Lafayette
Browse all Louisianahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Louisiana

Explore census history and historic records for more Louisiana counties.

AcadiaAllenAscensionAssumptionAvoyellesBeauregardBienvilleBossierCaddoCalcasieuCaldwellCameronCatahoulaClaiborneConcordiaDe SotoEast Baton RougeEast CarrollEast FelicianaEvangeline
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Everything a full report reveals about Lafayette County, Louisiana

This page charts the census history of Lafayette County, Louisiana. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Lafayette

When does Lafayette first appear in the US census?
Lafayette, Louisiana first appears in the federal census in 1830, with a recorded population of 5,653.
What is the population of Lafayette?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Lafayette had a recorded population of 241,753.
Were any battles fought in Lafayette?
5 documented military engagements took place in Lafayette, including Vermilion Bayou Skirmish, Grand Coteau — Advance Skirmish (November 1863), Battle of Grand Coteau.
How many historic places are in Lafayette?
44 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Lafayette, Louisiana.
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