Lafayette is a city located in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, 74 miles (119 km) northwest of Indianapolis. Population in 1900, 18,116; in 1910, 20,081; in 1920, 22,486; and in 1940, 28,798 people. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,397. The city is the county seat of Tippecanoe County. West Lafayette, just across the Wabash River, is home to Purdue University, which has a large impact on both communities.
Lafayette is located at 40°24'38" North, 86°52'29" West (40.410585, -86.874681).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 52.0 km2 (20.1 mi2). 52.0 km2 (20.1 mi2) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 56,397 people, 24,060 households, and 13,666 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,083.9/km2 (2,806.5/mi2). There are 25,602 housing units at an average density of 492.0/km2 (1,274.1/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 88.91% White, 3.22% African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.61% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. 9.11% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 24,060 households out of which 27.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% are married couples living together, 10.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 43.2% are non-families. 33.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.31 and the average family size is 2.98.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 14.2% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $35,859, and the median income for a family is $45,480. Males have a median income of $32,892 versus $23,049 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,217. 12.1% of the population and 8.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.8% of those under the age of 18 and 4.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Like most of Indiana, Lafayette has been dominated by the agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation industries.
Much of the economy of the city of Lafayette and the surrounding area is centered around the academic and industrial activities of Purdue University. The university and its associated businesses employ the largest portion of the Lafayette workforce. However, private industry and commerce independent of the university also thrive in the community. Some notable examples include:
The area around what is now Tippecanoe County was inhabited by a tribe of Miami Indians known as the Ouiatenon or Weas. The French government established Fort Ouiatenon in 1717 across the Wabash River from present day Lafayette. The fort became the center of trade for fur trappers, merchants and Indians. An annual reenactment and festival known as The Feast of the Hunters' Moon takes place there each fall.
Lafayette was platted by the river trader William Digby, in May,1825. The town was made county seat for the newly formed Tippecanoe County soon after in 1826. Like many small frontier towns, Lafayette was officially named for the French general, Marquis de Lafayette (September 6, 1757--May 20, 1834) who aided the American armies during the Revolutionary War.
In its earliest days Lafayette was a shipping center on the Wabash River. The Wabash and Erie Canal in the 1840's further cemented Lafayette's regional prominence and was escalated by the arrival of the railroads in the 1850's.
Modern history owes a fair debt to Robert Kriebel, a reporter since retired from the Lafayette Journal and Courier newspaper. By way of his books and columns the curious are provided a convenient, accessible, and even colorful way to grasp the events around and preceding him. Old Lafayette in two volumes is highly recommended. For further reading, the curious might look into some other notable historians of Lafayette appearing below. These were compiled by Kriebel for his "short list" as provided in the Lafayette Bank & Trust's The Best of Lafayette (2000): Sandford C. Cox, Richard P. DeHart, Sallie Sample, Sarah M. Crockett, Thomas B. Helm, Jesse Henderson Levering, Paul K. Mavity, Logan Esarey, and Herbery H. Heimlich.
Source:
LafayetteIndiana.com
HOTELS • REAL ESTATE • JOBS