Lafayette, Vermilionville, or the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area per the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, is the third largest metropolitan statistical area in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Located in the south central Acadiana region, it covers five parishes. At the 2020 U.S. census, 478,384 people lived in the metropolitan area,[1] making it the 116th most populous in the United States and one of Louisiana's fastest growing metropolises; in 2010, its population was 273,738 and outpaced Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan area in 2015.[2]

Lafayette Vermilionville
Metropolitan area
Lafayette, Louisiana skyline, 2021
Seal
Nickname:  Hub City
Map of Louisiana highlighting the Lafayette metropolitan area
Country	United States
States	Louisiana
Population  (2020)
• Metro	478,384
Website	http://www.lafayettela.gov/
Named for Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette

The approximately 3,408.5 square miles (8,828 km²) metropolitan area centers on Lafayette Parish, which contains the city of Lafayette—the largest economic and cultural center of Acadiana—with a consolidated city-parish population of 244,390 in 2019;[3] the city proper's population was 121,374 in 2020.[4] Part of the larger Lafayette-Opelousas-Morgan City combined statistical area, it borders the Lake Charles metropolitan area to the west.

As of 2020, the metropolitan statistical area is home to Amazon,[5] IberiaBank,[6] Rouses Market,[7] Albertsons,[8] Petroleum Helicopters International,[9] and other statewide and international corporations generating a gross domestic product of over 21.9 billion dollars as of 2019.[10] The Lafayette metropolitan area is one of the most predominantly-Catholic metropolises in the Southern United States,[11] and home to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. It is also home to a small lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population.[12][13]

Geography

The Lafayette metropolitan area covers approximately 3,408.5 square miles (8,828 km²) in the region of Acadiana in Louisiana.[14] If it were a U.S. state or territory, it would be larger than Delaware and the Northern Mariana Islands. The United States Office of Management and Budget defines Greater Lafayette as initially covering Lafayette and Saint Martin parishes; Acadia, Iberia, and Vermilion parishes were added to the metropolis in 2013.[15] The larger combined statistical area adds St. Landry Parish and St. Mary Parish.

Located along the Gulf Coast of the United States, it borders the Lake Charles metropolitan area, and is located south of the Alexandria metropolitan area, and west of Greater New Orleans and Greater Baton Rouge. Communities within the Greater Lafayette area lie at a low elevation above sea level, though some portions extend to nearly 50 feet (15 m) above sea level.

Communities

• Abbeville
• Arnaudville (partial)
• Breaux Bridge
• Broussard
• Carencro
• Cecilia
• Coteau Holmes (unincorporated)
• Crowley
• Delcambre
• Duson
• Eunice
• Erath
• Gueydan
• Henderson
• Jeanerette
• Kaplan
• Lafayette (Principal city)
• Loreauville
• Maurice
• Milton (unincorporated)
• Morgan City (partial)
• New Iberia
• Opelousas
• Parks
• Rayne
• St. Martinville
• Scott
• Youngsville

Demographics

From 2010 to 2015, the Lafayette metropolitan area outpaced Greater Shreveport in North Louisiana by population, becoming the third largest metropolitan area in the state.[2][16] In 2019, the Lafayette metropolitan area's population began a period of stagnation and slight decline.[17]

As of the census[18] of 2010, there were 273,738, 89,536 households, and 61,826 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.86% White, 25.46% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population.

The median income for a household in the MSA was $33,610, and the median income for a family was $40,737. Males had a median income of $33,565 versus $20,558 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $16,495.

See also

• Louisiana census statistical areas
• List of cities, towns, and villages in Louisiana
• List of census-designated places in Louisiana

References