West Lafayette

West Lafayette is a city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, about 65 miles northwest of Indianapolis and 113 miles southeast of Chicago. It is the most densely populated city in Indiana and is home to Purdue University. The city was formed in 1888 by the merger of the adjacent suburban towns of Chauncey, Oakwood, and Kingston, located on a bluff across the Wabash River from Lafayette, Indiana. In November 2013, the City of West Lafayette approved an annexation that placed much of the Purdue University academic campus and residence hall system within the official boundaries of the municipality for the first time. The annexation also included a large section of the US Highway 231 corridor that was previously part of unincorporated TippECanoe. County. Most of the city lies in eastern WabASH Township, though a small portion on the northeast side extends into Tipp Cecanoe Township. Elevations range from slightly over 500 feet (150 m) near the river to more than 720 feet (220 m) in northern parts of theCity near U.S. Route 52. West Lafayette has a total area of 7.63 square miles (19.76 km²) (or 99.87%) is land and 0.01 square miles. (or 0.03 km²), the city's population was 44,595 in the 2010 census. The racial makeup was 602% White, 98% African American, 0.1% Native American, 17% Asian, 19% from other races and 2,1% other.

History

West Lafayette is the primary city name, but also La Fayette, Lafayette, W Lafayette are acceptable city names or spellings. The official name is West Lafayette, Indiana. The present city was formed in 1888 by the merger of the adjacent suburban towns of Chauncey, Oakwood, and Kingston. The three towns had been small suburban villages which were directly adjacent to one another. In November 2013, the City of West Lafayette approved an annexation that placed much of the Purdue 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. Today, West Lafayette has established itself as a separate city, with independent services and unique neighborhoods distinct from those of its sister city, Lafayette. The address of Purdue 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. In May 1888, the town of Chaunacey voted to change its name to West Lafayette after a petition signed by 152 electors. By that time, the growth of the university was fueling the grow of the little town. The city's address was still Lafayette, Indiana, until the mid-20th century when it was annexed by the city of Lafayette. It is located on the Wabash River floodplain south of the present Levee. The town of Lafayette was laid out in 1836 by Augustus Wylie, but never built due to regular flooding of the site.

Geography

West Lafayette lies in central Tippecanoe County and overlooks the Wabash River. The city has a total area of 7.63 square miles (19.76 km²) of which 99.87% is land and 0.03% is water. 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 near U.S. Route 52. According to the 2010 census, West Lafayette had a total population of 7,788 (or 7,816 in metric tons) The city is located in eastern WabASH Township, though a small portion on the northeast side extends into TippECanoe Township. It is located on the Ohio River, which borders the city on the east and south. It has a population of 6,838 (or 6,938 in metric tonnes) and a population density of 1,077 per square mile (1,081 per square kilometer) according to the Census Bureau. It was the site of the U.N. World War II-era Battle of the Bulge, which took place in World War I and II. West Lafayette was the first city in the United States to enter the war, and was the only one to do so after the end of the Second World War. The town was founded in 1871. It became the first American city to enter into the war in 1875.

Demographics

There were 29,796 people, 11,945 households, and 4,072 families living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 60.2% White, 9.8% African American, 17.3% Asian, 1.9% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.6% of the population. For every 100 females, there were 133.5 males. The median income for a family was $51,510. The population was spread out, with 10.4% under the age of 18, 16.9%. from 18 to 24, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. West Lafayette annexed additional territory including the Purdue University main campus. The census bureau released an updated report to reflect the boundary updates. The city now reports 14,053 households and a population of 44,910. It was previously reported that the population was 28,778 people, 10,462 households and 3,588 families. The 2010 census shows the city's population to be 44,595 people, with a population density of 3,884.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,499.6/km²) The city's median income is $18,337. About 22.5% of families are below the poverty line. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size is 2.92. It is estimated that the city has more than 1.2 million people.

Government

The city's elected officials consist of the mayor, a clerk, and a nine-member Common Council. The Common Council holds the city's legislative authority and makes the laws through ordinances, orders, resolutions and motions. 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. The president of the Common Council presides over the council meetings and is first in the line of succession should the mayor not finish his or her term. 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. The mayor is elected for a four-year term, with a maximum term of three years. The position of mayor began in 1924 and has been held by the same person ever since. The current mayor has served in the position since 2008 and is in his third term. He is the seventh mayor of West Lafayette to serve in the post since the position was created in 1924. He was elected to the position in 2008 and served in his fourth term in office from 2008 to 2012. The post of mayor has been vacant since the death of the previous mayor in 2012. He has served as mayor for a total of three terms, the most recent of which was in 2013 and the last one was in 2014. The office of clerk is held by a clerk who serves a four year term.

Education

The West Lafayette Community School Corporation administers three schools. The Seventh-day Adventist Church operates Pleasantview SDA School which offers courses for grades K8, and the Montessori School of Greater Lafayette teaches K6. There are other schools, both public and private, that have a West Lafayette address, but these are actually located outside the city limits. The town has a lending library, the West Lafayette Public Library. There is also a branch of the county-run library (Tippecanoe County Public Library) in the Klondike area to the west of the city. 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. The school district is not coterminous with the municipality; areas annexed by the city after 2000 continue to be served by county schools. In addition to the public schools, there are also a variety of private schools in Lafayette and an Ivy Tech Community College branch. It is the home of Purdue University's main campus, with an enrollment of over 40,000 students. The university is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and has a campus in the town's downtown area. It also has a satellite campus in Evansville, Indiana. The campus is home to the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever.

Economy

Purdue University has an enrollment of over 50,000, 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. The largest commercial area in West Lafayette is the 90-acre 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 shops, restaurants, coffee houses, a 9-screen movie theater, a Hilton Garden Inn, and the Riverside Skating Center. The Purdue Research Foundation, the University's non-profit funding and technology licensing arm, owns the Park. It is one of the largest university-affiliated research parks in the United States. The Park offers communications infrastructure, research facilities, a business incubation complex to help start-up firms and scenic walking trails and lakes. The park is owned by Purdue Research foundation, the university'sNon-profit Funding and Technology Licensing arm, and is located on 725 acres of land. The University of Purdue has a campus in Lafayette, Indiana. The campus is located in the heart of West Lafayette and has a population of more than 50,00.

News and media

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: The Purdue Exponent. WBAA Radio. (920AM, 101.3FM), a National Public Radio affiliate with studios located on the Purdue University campus. WLFI-TV 18, (CBS; 18.2 CW, 18.3 Ion;18.4 getTV)WPBY-LD 35 (ABC; MeTV/MyNetworkTV on LD2)WPBI-LD 16 (Fox, NBC, ABC on LD3) WLQQ Radio (106.7FM) (National Public Radio) (CBS, CW, Ion, MyNetworkTV, LD2, LD3, LD1, LD4, LD5, LD6, LD7, LD8, LD9, LD10, LD11, LD12, LD13, LD14, LD15, LD16, BD1, BD2, BD3, BD4, BD5, BD6, BD7, BD8, BD9, BD10, BD11, BD12, BD13, BD14, BD15, BD17, BD18, BD19, BD20, BD21, BD22, BD23, BD24, BD26, BD28, BD29, BD30, BD31, BD32, BD33, BD34, BD36, BD38, BD39, BD40, BD41, BD42, BD43, BD44, BD45, BD46, BD48, BD52, BD53, BD54, BD55, BD56, BD57, BD58, BD59, BD60, BD61, BD62, BD63, BD64, BD65, BD66, BD67, BD68, BD69, BD70, BD72, BD73, BD74, BD75, BD77, BD78, BD79, BD82, BD83, BD84, BD86, BD88, BD89, BD90, BD92, BD93, BD94, BD96, BD97, BD98, BD99, BD100, BD110, BD111, BD112, BD122, BD130, BD123, BD128, BD133, BD138, BD150, BD145, BD154, BD155, BD157, BD160, BD180, BD185, BD240, BD.

Transportation

Public transportation in West Lafayette is managed by the Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation. The city is home to the Purdue University Airport and the Indiana State University campus. The town is also home to a number of major highways and railroads, including Interstate 65, US 52, US 231, and State Road 26. It is also the home of the Indiana State University of Purdue University and the Indiana State University of Lafayette. The Lafayette area has a population of 1.6 million people. The population of West Lafayette was 1.7 million at the end of the 2010 census. The area's economy is based on exports and imports, with the majority of its population living in the state of Indiana. It also has a high percentage of residents living outside of the state capital of Indianapolis, Indiana, and the state's largest city, Indianapolis. It has one of the highest rates of obesity in the United States, with 1.8% of its residents living in poverty. The average income of a West Lafayette resident is less than $30,000. The state's population is 1.5 million, with West Lafayette having the highest rate of poverty in the U.S. at 0.7%. The city's population has the lowest rate of unemployment, with 2.7% in 2010. The unemployment rate is 0.8%. The unemployment rate for West Lafayette residents is 2.3%. The state average for West Lafayette's residents is 1%. The rate for the state as a whole is 3.2%. It is the lowest in the nation.

Points of interest

Purdue State Bank, 1914 bank building designed by architect Louis Sullivan. Samara (John E. Christian House), a Usonian home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Celery Bog Nature Area and Lilly Nature Center. Purdue Horticulture Park and Harry's Chocolate Shop, a bar that is part of the 19th century Von's Shops building. Fort Ouiatenon, an early French trading post. Purdue University Horticulture Gardens, a botanical garden. Purdue State Bank and Samara, a house designed by architects Louis Sullivan and Frank Llorent Wright. The Purdue University Museum of Natural History, a museum of natural history, is located on the second floor of the State Bank building. The museum is open to the public on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is open on the weekends from 9 to 11 p. m. and on the weekend from 10 to 11:30 p.M. It is located in the heart of the Purdue University campus in the town of West Lafayette, Indiana.

Air Quality, Water Quality, Superfund Sites & UV Index

The Air Quality index is in West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana = 36.5. These Air Quality index is based on annual reports from the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The number of ozone alert days is used as an indicator of air quality, as are the amounts of seven pollutants including particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and volatile organic chemicals. The Water Quality Index is 44. A measure of the quality of an area’s water supply as rated by the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The EPA has a complex method of measuring the watershed quality, using 15 indicators such as pollutants, turbidity, sediments, and toxic discharges. The Superfund Sites Index is 90. Higher is better (100=best). Based upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts. The UV Index in West Lafayette = 3.9 and is a measure of an area's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. This is most often a combination of sunny weather, altitude, and latitude. The UV Index has been defined by the WHO (www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-the-ultraviolet-(uv)-index) and is uniform worldwide.

Employed

The most recent city population of 44,595 individuals with a median age of 23.9 age the population grows by 5.35% in West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana population since 2000 and are distributed over a density of 3,281.46 residents per square mile of area (1,266.93/km²). There are average 2.19 people per household in the 11,446 households with an average household income of $25,429 a year. The unemployment rate in Alabama is 5.10% of the available work force and has dropped -4.88% over the most recent 12-month period and the projected change in job supply over the next decade based on migration patterns, economic growth, and other factors will increase by 25.14%. The number of physicians in West Lafayette per 100,000 population = 227.9.

Weather

The annual rainfall in West Lafayette = 36.2 inches and the annual snowfall = 21.2 inches. The annual number of days with measurable precipitation (over .01 inch) = 112. The average number of days per year that are predominantly sunny = 185. 86 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily high temperature for the month of July and 16.2 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily low temperature for the month of January. The Comfort Index (higher=better) is 43, where higher values mean a more pleasant climate. The Comfort Index measure recognizes that humidity by itself isn't the problem. (Have you noticed nobody ever complains about the weather being 'cold and humid?) It's in the summertime that we notice the humidity the most, when it's hot and muggy. Our Comfort Index uses a combination of afternoon summer temperature and humidity to closely predict the effect that the humidity will have on people.

Median Home Cost

The percentage of housing units in West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana which are owned by the occupant = 30.10%. A housing unit is a house, apartment, mobile home, or room occupied as separate living quarters. The average age of homes = 30 years with median home cost = $149,000 and home appreciation of -8.07%. This is the value of the years most recent home sales data. Its important to note that this is not the average (or arithmetic mean). The median home price is the middle value when you arrange all the sales prices of homes from lowest to highest. This is a better indicator than the average, because the median is not changed as much by a few unusually high or low values. The property tax rate of $8.89 shown here is the rate per $1,000 of home value. If for simplification for example the tax rate is $14.00 and the home value is $250,000, the property tax would be $14.00 x ($250,000/1000), or $3500. This is the 'effective' tax rate.

Study

The local school district spends $5,242 per student. There are 17.8 students for each teacher in the school, 1000 students for each Librarian and 500 students for each Counselor. 3.72% of the area’s population over the age of 25 with an Associate Degree or other 2-year college degree, 31.01% with a master’s degree, Ph.D. or other advanced college degree and 39.39% with high school diplomas or high school equivalency degrees (GEDs).