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La Fayette, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

La Fayette is a small town in Illinois with a population of 148. Residents earn $49,519 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
148 Population 779/sq mi density
$49,519 Median Income $53,849 per capita
$51,000 Home Value $112,068 Zillow
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$49,519 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$51,000 home value
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
3.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,519
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $51,000
82% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 3.9%
88% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.9%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.7%
38% lower than US avg

How La Fayette Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population148
Median Age50.6 yrs
Density779/mi²
Male / Female63% / 37%
Largest GroupWhite 83%
Veterans9.1%

Economy

B+
Median Income$49,519
Per Capita$53,849
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty7.7%
County GDP$340M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$51,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$112,068
Housing Units106
Rent Burden28.4%

Health

Obesity38.9%
Uninsured8.1%
Smoking16.4%
Depression25.6%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.6 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation794 ft (242 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+3.9%
High School+95.3%
Graduate+0.8%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute26 min
Broadband95.0%
Libraries3

Is La Fayette a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, La Fayette receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. La Fayette offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in La Fayette is $49,519, 34% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in La Fayette is $51,000, 82% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

3.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

La Fayette experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.6 inches, including 30.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

La Fayette has a population of 148 with a density of 779 people per square mile. The median age is 50.6 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.1%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 1.4% Black.

Population

148
Total Population
779
People / sq mi
50.6yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 62.8%
Female 37.2%

Race & Ethnicity

La Fayette vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

La Fayette vs U.S. Average

The median household income in La Fayette is $49,519, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: La Fayette vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,519
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$53,849
Avg Weekly Wage$1,160
IRS Avg AGI$68,713

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.7%
38% below US avg
Establishments (County)148
County GDP$340M

Business (County)

Restaurants5
Healthcare5
Retail10
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,780
37% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate9.37%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.3 min
Drive Alone95.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in La Fayette is $51,000, 82% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $112,068.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$51,000
82% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$112,068

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden28.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied95.8%
Housing Units106
Median Year Built1941

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,780
37% above US avg
Effective Rate9.37%
In La Fayette, 38.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.1% of residents lack health insurance. 16.4% are current smokers. 25.6% report depression. 23.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: La Fayette vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.9%
21% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma11.1%
COPD7.3%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.4%
17% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity23.7%
Depression25.6%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress13.5%
Short Sleep36.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured8.1%
6% below US avg
Dentists1:5,345
Checkup Rate75.6%
Dental Visits62.0%
Premature Death9,474/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access46.9%
Healthcare Facilities5
La Fayette has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.6 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.6°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.6 inches
4% above US avg
Snowfall30.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation794 ft (242 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density779/sq mi
Coordinates41.1096°N, 89.9735°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17175
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 3.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (88% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 45.6-point margin. 95.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.8%
D 26.3%

Winner: Republican by 45.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+3.9%
88% below US avg
High School+95.3%
Graduate Degree+0.8%
School Test Score5.34
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density779/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access95.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities5
Restaurants5
Retail Stores10

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.3 min
Drive Alone95.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Galva, IL 2,543 pop · 5.3 mi Toulon, IL 1,390 pop · 5.9 mi Kewanee, IL 12,280 pop · 9.3 mi Wyoming, IL 1,532 pop · 10.9 mi Princeville, IL 1,932 pop · 16.6 mi Cambridge, IL 2,184 pop · 17.0 mi Knoxville, IL 3,137 pop · 21.5 mi Elmwood, IL 2,254 pop · 22.8 mi Galesburg, IL 29,653 pop · 23.7 mi Dunlap, IL 1,448 pop · 24.0 mi Geneseo, IL 6,577 pop · 25.4 mi Orion, IL 1,849 pop · 26.8 mi Chillicothe, IL 6,185 pop · 28.0 mi Farmington, IL 1,990 pop · 28.5 mi
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