West Lafayette, Indiana | |
|---|---|
City | |
 West Lafayette Public Library andPurdue University in background  West Lafayette City Hall, formerlyMorton School  Celery Bog nature area | |
 Flag | |
| Nickname: "West Side" | |
 Show West Lafayette Show Tippecanoe County Show Indiana Show the United States | |
  West Lafayette  West Lafayette | |
| Coordinates:40°26′36″N86°55′25″W / 40.44333°N 86.92361°W /40.44333; -86.92361 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Indiana |
| County | Tippecanoe |
| Townships | Wabash,Tippecanoe |
| Incorporated | 1888 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Erin Easter (D) |
| Area | |
• City | 13.82 sq mi (35.80 km2) |
| • Land | 13.59 sq mi (35.20 km2) |
| • Water | 0.23 sq mi (0.60 km2) |
| • Metro | 904.6 sq mi (2,343 km2) |
| Elevation | 705 ft (215 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• City | 44,595 |
| • Density | 3,281.3/sq mi (1,266.93/km2) |
| • Metro | 182,821 |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 47906 |
| Area code | 765 |
| FIPS code | 18-82862[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2397268[2] |
| Website | www.westlafayette.in.gov |
West Lafayette (/ˌlɑːfiˈɛt,ˌlæf-/LA(H)F-ee-ET) is a city inTippecanoe County, Indiana, United States.[2] The population was 44,595 at the 2020 census.[4] West Lafayette sits across theWabash River from its sister city,Lafayette, and is acollege town, home toPurdue University. It is themost densely populated city in Indiana, located 65 miles (105 km) northwest ofIndianapolis and 113 miles (182 km) southeast ofChicago.
Augustus Wylie laid out a town in 1836 in theWabash River floodplain south of the present Levee. Due to regular flooding of the site, Wylie's town was never built. The present city was formed in 1888 by the merger of the adjacent suburban towns of Chauncey, Oakwood, and Kingston, located on a bluff across theWabash River fromLafayette, Indiana.[5] The three towns had been small suburban villages which were directly adjacent to one another. Kingston was laid out in 1855 by Jesse B. Lutz. Chauncey was platted in 1860 by the Chauncey family of Philadelphia, wealthy land speculators. Chauncey and Kingston formed a municipal government in 1866 which selected the name "Chauncey".[5]
The new town of Chauncey remained a small suburban village untilPurdue University opened in 1869. In 1871 Chauncey voted to be annexed by Lafayette because it was unable to provide the infrastructure (such as improved streets, waterworks, police and fire protection). Lafayette voted against annexing Chauncey because of the high cost of the many improvements that the village lacked.[6] In May 1888, the town of Chauncey voted to change its name to West Lafayette after a petition signed by 152 electors.[7] By that time, the growth of the university was fueling the growth of the little town. The address ofPurdue University was given as "Lafayette, Indiana" until well into the twentieth century. West Lafayette never gained a railroad depot and lagged several years behind Lafayette in the establishment of municipal infrastructure and services. Today, West Lafayette has established itself as a separate city, with independent services and unique neighborhoods distinct from those of its sister city, Lafayette.
In November 2013, the City of West Lafayette approved anannexation that placed much of thePurdue University academic campus and residence hall system within the official boundaries of the municipality for the first time. This expansion also included a large section of the US Highway 231 corridor that was previously part of unincorporated Tippecanoe County.[8]
Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity House,Jesse Andrew House,Chauncey-Stadium Avenues Historic District,John E. and Catherine E. Christian House,Curtis-Grace House,Happy Hollow Heights Historic District,Hills and Dales Historic District,Morton School, andThe Varsity are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[9][10]
West Lafayette lies in central Tippecanoe County and overlooks the Wabash River, which borders the city on the east and south. Most of the city lies in easternWabash Township, though a small portion on the northeast side extends intoTippecanoe Township. Elevations range from slightly over 500 feet (150 m) near the river to more than 720 feet (220 m) in northern parts of the city nearU.S. Route 52.
According to the 2010 census, West Lafayette has a total area of 7.63 square miles (19.76 km2), of which 7.62 square miles (19.74 km2) (or 99.87%) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) (or 0.13%) is water.[11]
| Climate data for West Lafayette, Indiana | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 69 (21) | 73 (23) | 86 (30) | 89 (32) | 94 (34) | 105 (41) | 105 (41) | 100 (38) | 98 (37) | 92 (33) | 78 (26) | 73 (23) | 105 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 34 (1) | 39 (4) | 50 (10) | 63 (17) | 73 (23) | 83 (28) | 85 (29) | 84 (29) | 78 (26) | 65 (18) | 51 (11) | 38 (3) | 62 (17) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 19 (−7) | 23 (−5) | 31 (−1) | 41 (5) | 51 (11) | 61 (16) | 64 (18) | 63 (17) | 55 (13) | 44 (7) | 34 (1) | 23 (−5) | 42 (6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −23 (−31) | −20 (−29) | −3 (−19) | 7 (−14) | 25 (−4) | 35 (2) | 43 (6) | 37 (3) | 29 (−2) | 19 (−7) | 6 (−14) | −16 (−27) | −23 (−31) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 1.86 (47) | 1.84 (47) | 2.67 (68) | 3.54 (90) | 4.19 (106) | 4.10 (104) | 3.97 (101) | 3.46 (88) | 2.66 (68) | 2.89 (73) | 2.97 (75) | 2.51 (64) | 36.66 (931) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 6.5 (17) | 4.8 (12) | 2.9 (7.4) | 0.7 (1.8) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0.3 (0.76) | 0.8 (2.0) | 5.2 (13) | 21.2 (54) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 9.6 | 7.7 | 10.2 | 10.9 | 10.6 | 10.4 | 8.9 | 8.4 | 7.6 | 8.3 | 9.8 | 10.1 | 112.5 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 5.3 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 15.1 |
| Source 1: The Weather Channel (January record high)[12] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: NOAA: Lafayette[13] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 717 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,242 | 73.2% | |
| 1900 | 2,302 | 85.3% | |
| 1910 | 3,867 | 68.0% | |
| 1920 | 3,830 | −1.0% | |
| 1930 | 5,095 | 33.0% | |
| 1940 | 6,270 | 23.1% | |
| 1950 | 11,873 | 89.4% | |
| 1960 | 12,680 | 6.8% | |
| 1970 | 19,157 | 51.1% | |
| 1980 | 21,247 | 10.9% | |
| 1990 | 25,907 | 21.9% | |
| 2000 | 28,778 | 11.1% | |
| 2010 | 29,596 | 2.8% | |
| 2020 | 44,595 | 50.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] | |||
As of thecensus[4] of 2020, there were 44,595 people living in the city.
As of thecensus[15] of 2010, there were 29,796 people, 11,945 households, and 4,072 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 3,884.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,499.6/km2). There were 12,591 housing units at an average density of 1,652.4 per square mile (638.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 60.2%White, 9.8%African American, 0.1%Native American, 17.3%Asian, 1.9% fromother races, and 2.1% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 7.6% of the population.
There were 11,945 households, of which, 16.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.2% weremarried couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 65.9% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.92.
The median age in the city was 22.8 years. 11.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 49.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.4% were from 25 to 44; 11.7% were from 45 to 64; and 8.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 54.2% male and 45.8% female.
Following the 2010 census, West Lafayette annexed additional territory including the Purdue University main campus. The census bureau released an updated report to reflect the boundary updates. The census now reports 14,053 households and a population of 44,910.[16]
As of thecensus[3] of 2000, there were 28,778 people, 10,462households, and 3,588 families living in the city. The population density was 5,219.6 inhabitants per square mile (2,015.3/km2). There were 10,819 housing units at an average density of 1,962.3 per square mile (757.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 69.3%White, 13.3%Asian, 8.4%African American, 0.2%Native American, <0.1%Pacific Islander, 1.2% fromother races, and 1.6% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 9.2% of the population.[17]
There were 10,462 households, out of which 14.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.6% weremarried couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 65.7% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 10.4% under the age of 18, 54.6% from 18 to 24, 16.9% from 25 to 44, 10.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 133.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 137.2 males.
Themedian income for a household in the city was $24,869, and the median income for a family was $51,510.Theper capita income for the city was $18,337. About 22.5% of families and 38.3% of the population were below thepoverty line.
The economy of West Lafayette is heavily influenced by the presence of Purdue University, with an enrollment of over 50,000,[18] more than the city's population. The university employs 12,000 people, most of whom live in either West Lafayette or Lafayette.
The 725-acre (2.93 km2)Purdue Research Park, established in 1961, is home to more than 140 companies of which nearly 100 are technology related. As of 2009, these companies employ more than 3,000.[19] The Park offers communications infrastructure, research facilities, a business incubation complex to help start-up firms and scenic walking trails and lakes. It is one of the largest university-affiliated research parks in the United States. The Purdue Research Park is owned by Purdue Research Foundation, the University's non-profit funding and technology licensing arm.
Commercial activities, however, take place mostly across the river in Lafayette. The largest commercial area in West Lafayette is the 90-acre (360,000 m2) Wabash Landing/Levee area, which has become a thriving urban-type district since the entire area was reconstructed and the Pedestrian Bridge to Lafayette replaced the old State Street bridge. The Levee features Wabash Landing, a complex containing shops, restaurants, coffee houses, a 9-screen movie theater, a hotel and the Riverside Skating Center.
The town has a lending library, the West Lafayette Public Library.[20] There is also a branch of the county-run library (Tippecanoe County Public Library) in the Klondike area to the west of the city.
The city's elected officials consist of themayor, a clerk, and a nine-member Common Council.
The nine-member Common Council holds the city'slegislative authority and makes the laws through ordinances, orders, resolutions and motions. The city is divided into 6 districts, and the Common Council consists of one council member from each district, plus three at-large council members. Elected by the council members, the president of the Common Council presides over the council meetings and is first in the line of succession should the mayor not finish their term of office.
All city elected officials have a term of office of four years with no limit on the number of terms. Regular elections for all offices are held at the same time in the odd year preceding the presidential election year.[21]
The following is a list of all mayors of West Lafayette since the position began in 1924.[22]
| Term | Name | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 1924 – 1938 | Myron B. Morgan[23] | Republican |
| 1939 – 1942 | Dwight S. Keim[24] | Republican |
| 1943 – 1955 | Charles R. Burnham | Republican |
| 1956 – 1963 | Fred L. Willis[25] | Republican |
| 1964 – 1971 | James R. Williamson[26] | Democratic |
| 1972 – 1979 | Joe S. Dienhart[27] | Republican |
| 1980 – 2003 | Sonya L. Margerum[28][29] | Democratic |
| 2004 – 2007 | Jan Mills[30][31] | Democratic |
| 2008 – 2024 | John Dennis[31] | Republican |
| 2024 – Present | Erin Easter[32] | Democratic |
West Lafayette is the home ofPurdue University's main campus, with an enrollment of over 40,000 students.[33]
TheWest Lafayette Community School Corporation covers central portions of West Lafayette,[34] administers three schools. The school district is not coterminous with the municipality; areas annexed by the city after 2000 continue to be served by county schools. Students attend West Lafayette Elementary School (formerly Cumberland Elementary School) through third grade, while students in grades 4–6 attend West Lafayette Intermediate School. Students in the 7th grade and above attendWest Lafayette Junior-Senior High School.[35] TheTippecanoe School Corporation covers outer-lying portions of the West Lafayette municipality.[34] That district's schools are not in the West Lafayette municipal limits. The zoned high school of areas of West Lafayette in the Tippecanoe district isWilliam Henry Harrison High School.[36]
TheSeventh-day Adventist Church operates Pleasantview SDA School which offers courses for grades K–8, and the Montessori School of Greater Lafayette teaches K–6. There are other schools, both public and private, that have a West Lafayette address, but these are actually located outside the city limits.
Approximately 77% of West Lafayette's population age 25 or older hold a bachelor's degree or higher according to the U.S. Census 2005–2007 American Community Survey. The city ranks sixth highest on this measure among U.S. municipalities between 20,000 and 65,000 population.[37]
There is also a variety ofprivate schools in Lafayette and anIvy Tech Community College branch.
West Lafayette residents use many of the news and media outlets located in its twin city of Lafayette. Media located in West Lafayette proper include:
Public transportation in West Lafayette is managed by theGreater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation.
Interstate 65 toGary, Indiana (nearChicago) andIndianapolis
US 52 toJoliet, Illinois (also near Chicago) and Indianapolis
US 231 toRensselaer, Indiana andOwensboro, Kentucky
State Road 26 fromPurdue University campus toKokomo, Indiana
State Road 43 toBrookston, Indiana andReynolds, IndianaFor notable residents associated withPurdue University, seeList of Purdue University people.
For notable natives from the neighboring cityLafayette, Indiana, see that page.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Municipalities and communities ofTippecanoe County, Indiana,United States | ||
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