$239,076Average Value$253Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Living in the heart of Acadiana
Exuding Creole and Cajun warmth, Downtown Lafayette’s lively streets and colorful community make for an exciting place to live. In this historic city center, locals mingle in bars, restaurants, theaters and art galleries, celebrating the joie de vivre spirit that’s so deeply rooted in Louisiana’s cities and parishes.
In the very heart of Acadiana, the southern region of the state between New Orleans and Houston, the bones of old Lafayette remain visible in a few antebellum homes and structures from the early 20th century. Among them are the towering Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, built circa 1916, and the L-shaped, red-and-yellow Heymann Department Store from 1925, now the popular Lafayette Science Museum.
While other businesses and industries left downtown long ago, developers and builders are finding ways to adapt their buildings for new companies and residents, preserving the city’s architectural heritage even as new apartments, condos and offices begin to rise. “Downtown is thriving right now,” says Lulu David, a local Realtor with Rhodes Realty. “There are lots of local boutiques and eateries. Lots of bars. There’s commercial and residential real estate coming into the area too. It’s all been revitalized."
Downtown Lafayette shines in the setting suns light.
Downtown Lafayette's Science Museum is right across the street from the Children Museum.
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Music fills the air during Downtown Alive! And the Festival International
Taking place at two civic plazas downtown, Parc Sans Souci and Parc Putnam, Downtown Alive! is a weekly concert series created from a fusion of community and culture. Free to the public, the outdoor series takes place each spring and fall, featuring a variety of musical genres, including jazz, pop and the region’s signature Zydeco and other folk styles. The mosaic of sounds, rhythms and colors expands to a global scale each April when the 5-day Festival International de Lousiane fires up. Also free to the public and spanning several blocks and parks downtown, the event brings bands, performing artists, vendors and tourists from around the world for the multicultural celebration of music, food and art.
While Parc Sans Souci and Parc Putnam provide a small bit of green space and plaza benches for a quick dog walk or a sunny lunch break, people go for a jog or a game of golf at City Park about a mile and a half northeast of downtown. Spanning more than 100 acres, the recreational site features basketball courts, baseball diamonds, playgrounds, lighted soccer and football fields and an 18-hole golf course. When it rains, folks head inside to exercise or play at the Domingue Recreation Center, which hosts several adult and youth athletic leagues. The park also includes a community pool, but it has remained closed since 2020 pending extensive repairs and upgrades.
Enjoy the water feature at Parc Sans Souci in Downtown Lafayette.
In Downtown Lafayette, Anya Burgess, Owner of Sola Violins, a violin maker, restorer and player.
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Cajun cookin’ and flavors du monde at downtown restaurants
Living downtown, residents are only minutes away from delectable restaurants, convivial coffee bars and other hot spots. In the morning, folks can start their day with a coffee and beignet from Black Café or Reve Coffee Roasters. There are plenty of good eats to find here, too, with lunch and dinner spots such as Johnson’s Boucaniere, Pat’s Downtown and Pop’s Poboys serving classic Louisiana sandwiches and other regional staples like muffuletta, gumbo and jambalaya. Not just limited to local cuisine, downtown’s restaurant scene takes on other flavors inspired by tradition and culture from around the world, with other eateries and fine dining establishments inspired by culinary traditions from Latin America, Europe, East Asia and other parts of the American South.
The Lafayette Science Museum moved into its current home downtown in 2002, outfitting the historic building with a state-of-the-art digital planetarium and other illuminating attractions. Across the street, the Children’s Museum of Acadiana believes that play is serious business. This hands-on facility features interactive exhibits in more than a dozen themed areas, including the knowledge nook, architecture alley, the bubble factory and a broadcast TV station. Other institutions downtown include the Lafayette Public Library’s main branch and the Acadiana Center for the Arts, which features visual art galleries and a performing arts theater stage.
A curious young lady wonders the streets of Downtown Lafayette.
The French Press Coffee Shop is a Downtown Lafayette favorite.
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Cosmopolitan living for almost half the cost
In a 2024 interview with the statewide news website Nola.com, Lafayette’s Downtown Development Authority CEO Kevin Blanchard shared his vision for the future of downtown, highlighting the recent opening of The Monroe, a new 70-unit apartment complex, and the renovation of a historic warehouse for a tech company that recently relocated from San Francisco. “I want to make sure that we're reaching out and making downtown the place where everyone feels that there's something there for them — no matter how old you are, your background, your interests, whether you're looking for a place to live or rent, shop or have an office,” Blanchard told Nola.com.
With home values averaging $490,000 nationwide as of February 2024, Lafayette is one of the country’s most affordable cities with an average home value of $240,000. Within the downtown core’s small footprint, modest condo units with one or two bedrooms sell for around $200,000. In the surrounding blocks of neighborhoods such as West End, Mills, Heymann Park and Freetown Port-Rico, prospective buyers can find Victorians, Tudor Revivals and vernacular-style townhouses and single-family homes from the late 1800s and the early to mid-20th century sell for around $150,000 to $300,000.
Downtown Lafayette residents enjoy proximity to downtown.
Cottage style homes are popular in the Downtown Lafayette area.
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Highly rated schools in the Lafayette Parish system
Students in the downtown area can attend Myrtle Place Elementary School. Part of the Lafayette Parish School System, Myrtle Place scores an A-minus on Niche, which ranks it as the fifth-best public elementary school in the parish. From there, kids can continue learning at Lafayette Middle School and Lafayette High School. Niche gives the middle school a C-plus rating and the high school an A-minus. Though Lafayette ranks highly as one of the best high schools in the state, landing in the top 20 of several Niche rankings including most diverse, the school’s population of approximately 1,800 students means large classes with a 24-to-1 student-teacher ratio. At the high school, students considering a career in the medical field can get hands-on experience through the Health Academy, a special program where students take special classes before interning at a local clinic or hospital during their senior year.
Educational opportunities abound at Lafayette Middle School.
Lafayette High School inspires and empowers students.
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Local and regional travel with LTS, Greyhound and Amtrak
Walking to work is an option for some downtown residents with the myriad offices and businesses in the city center. Public transit is another option, for people who work a bit farther away. The Lafayette Transit System bus operates a few routes along downtown’s streets. One-way fares are only $1, while a 12-ride pass goes for $10. For regional trips, people can catch an Amtrak train or Greyhound bus at the Rosa Parks Transportation Center. The Lafayette Regional Airport offers limited commercial flight service with only three carriers flying to Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta and Houston.
The LTS Bus stops all over the Arnould Heights, Lafayette and surrounding area.
Bus services are readily available in River Ranch to easily travel around Lafayette.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Tina Jones,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Heymann Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Lafayette Parks & Recreation
Girard Park
Parc Sans Souci
Parc Putnam
J W James Playground
Transit
Airport
Lafayette Regional/Paul Fournet Field
6 min drive
Bus
Johnston Street & Vermilion Street
Bus
Jefferson Boulevard & SW Thruway
Bus
Lee Avenue & Vermilion Street (Outbound)
Bus
Lee Avenue & East Cypress Street
Bus
Lee Avenue & Jefferson Street
Bus
Terminal
Bus
Lee Avenue & Avenue B
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Lafayette
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Lafayette, Lafayette sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Downtown Lafayette, Lafayette over the last 12 months is $232,500, up 9% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Approximately 0.15 acres of untapped potential await on Jefferson Street in the heart of Downtown Lafayette. This 0.15-acre lot provides the perfect foundation for your next project. Zoned D for development, this lot is your golden ticket to turning dreams into reality. The strategic location on the 400 block offers high visibility and easy access for your future customers or clients. Situated in
This adorable property can be your home or your workplace, as it's zoned for commercial use! Perfectly situated in the heart of downtown, this charming cottage keeps you close to restaurants, activities, and all the vibrant energy Lafayette has to offer. Completely transformed with thoughtful updates, the home boasts fresh paint, some new flooring, updated bathroom, and new light fixtures/fans
**RARE PROPERTY! Opportunity Zone & New Roof!** 3 homes on 1 property! Originally built in 1880, this iconic property offers tremendous opportunity as a true commercial and/or residential live work experience. All 3 structures are very well maintained and updated separate structures with character and ambiance that only a historical site can offer. Ideal for Spa and wellness center, medical,
Come home to the Lofts at The Municipal in downtown Lafayette, LA and experience vibrant, quintessential living. At the Lofts, you will be able to connect with your friends and neighbors, new and old, while finally also making the time for yourself that you always crave. Build your day-to-day schedule to maximize every minute of free time with downtown living and enjoy commute-free days, exciting
**RARE PROPERTY! Opportunity Zone & New Roof!** Originally built in 1880, this iconic property offers tremendous opportunity as a true commercial and/or residential live work experience. Very well maintained and updated with character and ambiance that only a historical site can offer. Ideal for Spa and wellness center, medical, Office, bed & breakfast, personal residence, bistro, downtown
State of the art, new residential loft development designed to spearhead a new urban lifestyle experience within the ongoing downtown Lafayette renaissance. Wake up to tons of natural light over looking Freetown and Downtown and a Courtyard rainwater garden. Walking Distance to University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Tina Jones,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
475
Median Age
39
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$19,555
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$40,504
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.2%
College Graduates
26.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.4%
% Population in Labor Force
37.8%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
63''
Average Winter Low Temperature
44°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
68/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
88/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
