Lafayette, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Lafayette is a small city in California with a population of 25,277. Residents earn $222,393 per year, which is 196% above the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
25,277 Population 1,683/sq mi density
$222,393 Median Income $116,206 per capita
$2,000,001 Home Value $1,880,001 Zillow
$2,855 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
67 Violent Crime/100K 1,731 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$222,393 median income, 3.2% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.6 / 5.0
$2,000,001 home value, $2,855/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
67 violent crimes/100K (82% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
77.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $222,393
196% higher than US avg
Home Value $2,000,001
609% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 67/100K
82% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 77.0%
128% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,855
145% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.1%
25% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.6%
87% lower than US avg

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

People

Population25,277
Median Age45.0 yrs
Density1,683/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

A+
Median Income$222,393
Per Capita$116,206
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty1.6%
County GDP$217,018M
Commute29 min

Housing

D
Home Value$2,000,001
Rent$2,855
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,880,001

Crime

F
Violent67/100K
Property1,731/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault32/100K
Burglary379/100K

Health

Obesity24.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.3%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain17.7 in/yr
Elevation292 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+77.0%
High School+99.1%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 23% / D 74%
Commute29 min
EV Stations6
Libraries34

Is Lafayette a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lafayette receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Lafayette offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lafayette is $222,393, which is significantly higher than the national average — 196% above $75,149. This places Lafayette among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lafayette is $2,000,001, making it a premium housing market at 609% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,855 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Lafayette is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 67 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,731 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Lafayette is a highly educated community — 77.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 99.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lafayette enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Lafayette has a population of 25,277 with a density of 1,683 people per square mile. The median age is 45.0 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (76%).

Population

25,277
Total Population
1,683
People / sq mi
45.0yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
15.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Lafayette vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only81.4%
4% above US avg
Spanish18.6%
39% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Lafayette vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lafayette is $222,393, which is 196% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Lafayette vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$222,393
196% above US avg
Per Capita Income$116,206
Avg Weekly Wage$3,778
IRS Avg AGI$232,794

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.6%
87% below US avg
Establishments (County)31,186
County GDP$217,018M

Business (County)

Restaurants2,143
Healthcare2,617
Retail1,916
Manufacturing487

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$17,586
402% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.88%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.8 min
Work from Home40.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Lafayette is $2,000,001, 609% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,855 (145% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,880,001.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$2,000,001
609% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,880,001
Median List Price$1,890,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,890,000
$/Sq Ft$900
Homes Sold20
Sale-to-List Ratio104.4%
Price Drops17.2%
Inventory29

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,855
145% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,756

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$17,586
402% above US avg
Effective Rate0.88%
In Lafayette, 24.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.3% report depression. 14.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lafayette vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.1%
25% below US avg
Diabetes6.6%
High Blood Pressure23.9%
Asthma9.3%
COPD3.0%
Stroke1.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.3%
Physical Inactivity14.3%
Depression21.3%
Mental Distress14.6%
Physical Distress8.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.1%
Checkup Rate71.0%
Premature Death4,006/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.6/10
Exercise Access99.5%
Healthcare Facilities2,617
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 67 per 100,000 residents, 82% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,731 per 100,000 (12% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Lafayette vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent67.1/100K
82% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape7.9/100K
Robbery27.6/100K
Assault31.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,731.4/100K
12% below US avg
Burglary378.6/100K
Theft1,277.9/100K
Vehicle Theft74.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)43

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lafayette has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average62.4°F
16% above US avg
January Average50°F (10°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.7 inches
53% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation292 ft (89 m)
Area15.0 sq mi (38.9 km²)
Population Density1,683/sq mi
Coordinates37.8910°N, 122.1195°W
County FIPS06081
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 77.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (128% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 50.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 23.2%
D 73.5%

Winner: Democrat by 50.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+77.0%
128% above US avg
High School+99.1%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,683/sq mi
Total Area15.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries34
Healthcare Facilities2,617
Restaurants2,143
Retail Stores1,916

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)43
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.8 min
Work from Home40.6%

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