At a Glance
Median Income
$36,771
$20,294 per capita
Home Value
$73,800
Zillow: $175,269
Median Rent
$640/mo
25.0% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
7.4%
87.2% high school+
Unemployment
8.8%
31.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
41.1%
17.7% smoking rate
How Lafe Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Lafe's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Lafe a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.7 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Lafe residents earn a median household income of $36,771 , which is 51% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $20,294. The unemployment rate stands at 8.8% (144% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 31.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 949 business establishments, including 78 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Lafe is $73,800 , 74% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $175,269. Median rent is $640/month, with 25.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 86.9 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1985.
Education
7.4% of adults in Lafe hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(78% below the national average).
87.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Lafe has an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C).
Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.9 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population433
Median Age37.8 yrs
Density213/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born0.0%
Veterans12.5%
Economy
D
Median Income$36,771
Per Capita$20,294
Unemployment8.8%
Poverty31.8%
County GDP$2,021M
Avg Weekly Wage$913
Housing
A+
Home Value$73,800
Rent$640
Ownership84.1%
Zillow$175,269
Housing Units162
Rent Burden25.0%
Health
Obesity41.1%
Diabetes10.4%
Smoking17.7%
Heart Disease6.8%
Premature Death10,847/100K
Climate
Avg Temp60°F
Rain48.9 in/yr
Elevation335 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+7.4%
High School+87.2%
Graduate+0.7%
School Score4.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 80% / D 19%
Commute24 min
Broadband77.1%
Internet Speed71 Mbps
EV Stations6
Libraries1
Did You Know?
Lafe was founded in 1889.
The median home in Lafe was built in 1985.
The nearest airport is Walnut Ridge Regional (24 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.428 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
23.3% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 7 fatal vehicle crashes.