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Lafayette (IPA: ) is a city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, 63 miles (101 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.
Geography Lafayette is located at (40.410585, -86.874681). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 52.0 km² (20.1 mi²), all land. History 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 and three miles south of the location of 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 1840s further cemented Lafayette's regional prominence and was escalated by the arrival of the railroads in the 1850s. The Monon Railroad connected Lafayette with other sections of Indiana. Lafayette was the site of the first official air mail delivery in the United States, which took place on August 17, 1859, when John Wise piloted a balloon starting on the Lafayette courthouse grounds. Wise hoped to reach New York; however, weather conditions forced the balloon down near Crawfordsville, Indiana, and the mail reached its final destination by train. In 1959, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 7¢ airmail stamp commemorating the centennial of the event. 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. Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 56,397 people, 24,060 households, and 13,666 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,083.9/km² (2,806.5/mi²). There were 25,602 housing units at an average density of 492.0/km² (1,274.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.11% of the population. There were 24,060 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.2% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.98. In the city the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $35,859, and the median income for a family was $45,480. Males had a median income of $32,892 versus $23,049 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,217. About 8.0% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over. Like most of Indiana, Lafayette has been dominated by the agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation industries. Education Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Indiana Business College Public education in the Lafayette area is provided by the Lafayette School Corporation. Various private schools can also be found in the city. High Schools Jefferson Central Catholic Middle Schools Tecumseh Sunnyside Elementary Schools Amelia Earhart Edgelea George R Durgan Glen Acres Linnwood Miami Murdock Oakland Thomas Miller Vinton In the surrounding area can be found other schools including independent, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and the West Lafayette, Indiana school systems. Transportation Airports Highways Railroads Bus Service Economy 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: Notable residents and natives For notable residents associated with Purdue University see List of Purdue University people Entertainment Sports Business, law, politics Academic, science, technology Local civic organizations Points of interest Community Events | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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