District G
RANK #269 / 996 NAT · #7 / 21 LA · POP 243,175
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 73/100, Lafayette Parish sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.8%, and median household income stands at $66,617 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in LA.
Housing in Lafayette Parish is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $222,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $986/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Lafayette Parish is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.8% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.8% clip. Home values shifted +1.0% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.73% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lafayette Parish has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.