Lafayette, Indiana

Lafayette (IPA: ) is a city 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.

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 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.

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. The district consists of the following schools:

High Schools
Jefferson

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. Some competition exists within their given proximity. Lafayette's school system has built a reputation for extracurricular programs, especially its band and choral programs. The concert choir Varsity Singers under the direction of Jeff Vallier and John Satterfield has qualified for the state-level competition for the past 13 years, and the show choir First Edition is nationally known, including performances in New York, Mexico, Disney World and the Bahamas. West Lafayette and the Catholic School Systems are known for their high test scores. Many county schools are newer and thus have not had opportunity to display their excellence.

Transportation

Airports

Purdue University Airport, West Lafayette

Highways

Interstate Highway 65 to Gary, Indiana (near Chicago) and Indianapolis
U.S. Highway 52 to Joliet, Illinois (also near Chicago) and Indianapolis
U.S. Highway 231
Indiana state highways 25, 26, 38

Railroads

Amtrak passenger rail service
Norfolk Southern, CSX, Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad, and Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway (RailAmerica) freight rail service

Bus Service

CityBus local bus service by the Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation
Greyhound intercity 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:

Alcoa, a producer of aluminum extrusions and tubes.
Caterpillar Large Engine Division, producer of large diesel and natural gas engines.
Fairfield Manufacturing, producer of gears.
Wabash National, world's largest manufacturer of semi-truck trailers
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, producer of Subaru and now, Toyota vehicles.
Eli Lilly and Company (Tippecanoe Laboratories) pharmaceuticals.
The Lafayette Life Insurance Company, insurance and annuity services
Tate & Lyle, manufacturer of Splenda(R) and other sweeteners
Landis & Gyr metering systems (defunct)