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Lafayette, Tennessee
Buildings on the courthouse square
Buildings on the courthouse square
Location of Lafayette in Macon County, Tennessee
Location of Lafayette in Macon County, Tennessee
Country United States
State Tennessee
County Macon
Area
 • Total 5.30 sq mi (13.72 km2)
 • Land 5.30 sq mi (13.72 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
958 ft (292 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 5,584
 • Density 1,053.98/sq mi (406.92/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
37083
Area code(s) 615
FIPS code 47-40160
GNIS feature ID 1290467

Lafayette /ləˈfɪt/ is a city in Macon County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 4,474 at the 2010 census, and had 5,584 in 2020. It is the county seat of Macon County.

History

Lafayette was founded in 1843 as a county seat for the newly created Macon County. It was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, of Revolutionary War fame.

Geography

Lafayette is located at 36°31′32″N 86°01′34″W / 36.525595°N 86.026246°W / 36.525595; -86.026246. The city is situated near the center of Macon County, along a relatively broad stretch of the northern Highland Rim. Lafayette straddles a divide between the Barren River and Cumberland River, with streams in the northeastern part of the city (including Town Creek) draining into the former, and streams in the southwestern part of the city draining into the latter.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11 km2), all land.

Climate

Climate data for Lafayette, Tennessee, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1958–2019
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 73
(23)
79
(26)
86
(30)
91
(33)
96
(36)
108
(42)
105
(41)
105
(41)
101
(38)
95
(35)
83
(28)
77
(25)
108
(42)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 64.7
(18.2)
69.1
(20.6)
78.2
(25.7)
84.6
(29.2)
88.4
(31.3)
93.8
(34.3)
96.5
(35.8)
96.2
(35.7)
92.2
(33.4)
83.8
(28.8)
76.0
(24.4)
66.6
(19.2)
98.0
(36.7)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 44.6
(7.0)
49.5
(9.7)
58.9
(14.9)
69.5
(20.8)
77.8
(25.4)
85.1
(29.5)
88.3
(31.3)
87.9
(31.1)
81.7
(27.6)
71.2
(21.8)
59.2
(15.1)
48.5
(9.2)
68.5
(20.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 35.7
(2.1)
40.1
(4.5)
48.8
(9.3)
58.6
(14.8)
67.1
(19.5)
75.0
(23.9)
78.6
(25.9)
77.6
(25.3)
70.9
(21.6)
59.7
(15.4)
48.7
(9.3)
39.6
(4.2)
58.4
(14.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 26.7
(−2.9)
30.7
(−0.7)
38.6
(3.7)
47.7
(8.7)
56.4
(13.6)
65.0
(18.3)
68.8
(20.4)
67.2
(19.6)
60.2
(15.7)
48.2
(9.0)
38.1
(3.4)
30.7
(−0.7)
48.2
(9.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 6.1
(−14.4)
11.9
(−11.2)
20.5
(−6.4)
30.6
(−0.8)
42.1
(5.6)
52.9
(11.6)
58.5
(14.7)
56.9
(13.8)
44.5
(6.9)
32.6
(0.3)
23.4
(−4.8)
11.2
(−11.6)
1.5
(−16.9)
Record low °F (°C) −20
(−29)
−3
(−19)
−1
(−18)
20
(−7)
29
(−2)
38
(3)
45
(7)
45
(7)
31
(−1)
21
(−6)
6
(−14)
−13
(−25)
−20
(−29)
Source 1: NOAA
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010)

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 210
1870 161
1890 256
1910 678
1920 547 −19.3%
1950 1,195
1960 1,590 33.1%
1970 2,583 62.5%
1980 3,808 47.4%
1990 3,641 −4.4%
2000 3,885 6.7%
2010 4,474 15.2%
2020 5,584 24.8%
Sources:

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, approximately 5,584 people and approximately 2,086 households residing within the city's Jurisdiction. the population density for the City of Lafayette as reported in 2020 was 1,055.2 people per mile2 (343.3/km2), an approximate growth of growth of 12.16% compared to the 2010 United States Census data.

Race Composition

Lafayette Racial Composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 4,641 83.11%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 51 0.91%
Native American 8 0.14%
Asian 17 0.3%
Pacific Islander 3 0.05%
Other/Mixed 199 3.56%
Hispanic or Latino 665 11.91%

In 2020, the racial makeup for Lafayette was 83.11% white (non-Hispanic), 0.91% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.56% from other/mixed races, and 11.91% Hispanic or Latino.

Economic Composition

Wealth Distribution for Lafayette, TN
Income & Poverty U.S. Dollars
Median Household Income (in 2021 U.S. Dollars), 2017-2021 $35,580
Per Capita Income in the past 12 months (in 2021 U.S. Dollars), 2017-2021 $19,920
Percentage of Population in Poverty 25.1%

2008 Tornado

On February 5, 2008, at approximately 10:20 p.m., an EF3 tornado touched down near Lafayette and stayed on the ground with a width of approximately 3/4 mile and traveled for nearly 21 miles (34 km), crossing the county in a southwest to northeast direction. The western half of Macon county was devastated by the tornado with a total of 14 confirmed fatalities. Macon County was equipped with tornado warning sirens, however they were not working at the time; despite the efforts of the local news media and the National Weather Service, many residents were unprepared. This tornado devastated many areas including unincorpated communities southwest of town (causing an explosion at the Piedmont Natural gas transfer station) and north of town (in the Akersville community). Then-President George W. Bush visited the tornado-devastated areas of Lafayette on February 8, 2008. As of 2016, some areas still have visible damage.

Economy

The Lafayette and Macon County area is a rural area and its economy mainly relies on the agricultural sector. Macon County is one of the top producers of burley tobacco in Tennessee and the United States. The production of hardwood lumber is also an important industry in the county. There are two local banks with their main offices located in Lafayette. The oldest is Citizens Bank, founded in 1909, and has ten locations in Macon County and surrounding areas. Macon Bank & Trust Co. was founded in 1919 and has seven locations in the area.

Lafayette is home to a few industries. The largest manufacturers in the area are Fleetwood Homes, which is a division of Cavco Industries, Inc., and Tennplasco, which is a division of Manar, Inc.

Recreation

Parks

  • Winding Stairs Park; Winding Stairs Loop is a 1.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Lafayette, Tennessee that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options.http://winding-stairs.com/
  • Key Park – located on Church Street and includes picnic facilities, a playground, a bandstand, walking tracks and Key Park Log House. The Farmer's Market also sets up shop here.
  • Lafayette City Park – located on Days Road and includes picnic facilities, a playground, a swimming pool, a volleyball court, tennis courts and a baseball field.

Golf

  • Macon County Golf Course – semi-private, nine-hole course

Education

Lafayette is home to several schools which are run by the Macon County Board of Education. Macon County High School is the high school located in Lafayette, home of the Tigers and Tigerettes. Founded in 1927, the first graduating class consisted of 4 graduates.

Public schools

  • Central Elementary School, 2-3
  • Fairlane Elementary School, PK-1
  • Lafayette Elementary School, 4-5
  • Macon County High School, 9-12
  • Macon County Junior High School, 6-8

Other publicly funded schools, located outside of Lafayette, include Westside Elementary (K-5) and Red Boiling Springs School (K-12)

Private Schools

  • Macon Christian Academy, Pre School to 12

Transportation

Lafayette is located at the crossroads of Tennessee Routes 10 and 52. Route 52 is the main thoroughfare in the city, connecting with Interstate 65 approximately 35 miles away, near Portland. Other secondary state highways include Tennessee State Route 261 and Tennessee State Route 262.

Sneed Boulevard is used as a bypass that connects Route 52 to the Lafayette Industrial Park, which is located in the northern section of the city.

Airport

Located two miles west of downtown, air service in Lafayette is provided by Lafayette Municipal Airport. The facility includes a runway with dimensions of 5,200 by 75 feet.

Notable people

See also

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