RANK #809 / 996 · POP 243,175 · LA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.6%
Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, often called the "Happiest City in America," is known for its distinct Cajun and Creole culture, a heritage evident in its music, food, and festivals. Located in South-Central Louisiana, Lafayette is approximately 21 miles northwest of New Iberia. The community has a familial feel, with hospitality and year-round celebrations like Festival International de Louisiane and Festivals Acadiens et Créoles. Outdoor recreation is accessible, with opportunities for bird watching, paddling, and fishing in the area's swamps and bayous, including Cypress Island Preserve and the Bayou Vermilion Paddle Trail. The Lafayette Transit System provides public transportation within the parish, with routes serving the city of Lafayette.
Life in Lafayette Parish offers an affordable cost of living. The Lafayette Parish School System serves nearly 30,000 students across 44 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette also contributes to the area's educational landscape. The local economy, historically tied to the oil and natural gas industry, is diversifying. Recent economic developments highlight investments in infrastructure and job growth, with over 190,000 jobs reported in 2025. The parish is also seeing growth in technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.
Below national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lafayette Parish has a Boom Town Index score of 19/100, ranking #809 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.8% and a median household income of $66,617, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Lafayette Parish is $222,400 with median rent at $986/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2995, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.8%. Home values changed +1.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.73% of Lafayette Parish's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.