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Lafayette, Indiana

Lafayette, Indiana
City
City of Lafayette
Downtown Lafayette and the Riehle Plaza & CityBus depot in August 2011.
Downtown Lafayette and the Riehle Plaza & CityBus depot in August 2011.
Flag of Lafayette, Indiana
Flag
Nickname(s): "Star City"
Tippecanoe County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Lafayette Highlighted.svg
Coordinates: 40°25′2″N 86°52′43″W / 40.41722°N 86.87861°W / 40.41722; -86.87861Coordinates: 40°25′2″N 86°52′43″W / 40.41722°N 86.87861°W / 40.41722; -86.87861
Country United States of America
State Indiana
County Tippecanoe
Townships Fairfield, Perry, Sheffield, Wea
Platted 1825
Incorporated 1853
Founded by William Digby
Named for General Lafayette
Government
 • Mayor Tony Roswarski (D)
Area
 • City 27.74 sq mi (71.85 km2)
 • Land 27.74 sq mi (71.85 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
 • Metro 904.6 sq mi (2,343 km2)
Elevation 692 ft (211 m)
Population (2010)
 • City 67,140
 • Estimate (2014) 70,654
 • Density 2,420.3/sq mi (934.5/km2)
 • Metro 201,789
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 47901, 47904, 47905, 47909
Area code(s) 765
Sister cities
Interstate Highways I-65
U.S. Highways
Major State Roads
Waterways Wabash River
Airports Purdue University Airport
(West Lafayette)
Public transit CityBus
FIPS code 18-40788
GNIS feature ID 437501
Website http://www.lafayette.in.gov

Lafayette (/ˌlɑːfˈɛt/ or lah-fee-YET) is a city in and the county seat of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States, located 63 miles (101 km) northwest of Indianapolis and 105 miles (169 km) southeast of Chicago. West Lafayette, on the other side of the Wabash River, is home to Purdue University, which contributes significantly to both communities. Together, Lafayette and West Lafayette form the core of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 United States Census, the population of Lafayette was 67,140, roughly a 19% increase from 56,397 in 2000. Meanwhile, the 2010 U.S. Census pegged the year-round (excluding Purdue University students) population of West Lafayette at 29,596 and a Tippecanoe County population of 172,780.

When European explorers arrived at the area around what is now Tippecanoe County, it was inhabited by a tribe of Miami Indians known as the Ouiatenon or Weas. In 1717, the French government established Fort Ouiatenon across the Wabash River and three miles (5 km) south of present-day Lafayette. The fort became the center of trade for fur trappers, merchants and Indians. An annual reenactment and festival known as Feast of the Hunters' Moon takes place there each autumn.


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