Lafayette Parish had the biggest increase in population among the state鈥檚 64 parishes for the second straight year in 2025, according to the latest U.S. Census population estimates.
The parish gained 3,275 residents in 2025, a 1.3% increase and the second straight year to have the biggest gain of people in the state, according to estimates released this week.
It came against a modest gain overall in the state鈥檚 population as 45 parishes lost residents last year, data shows. At 257,949 residents, Lafayette remains the state鈥檚 most populous parish outside the Baton Rouge and New Orleans metros.
A breakdown of migration patterns by parish was not available.
The parish has gained about 6,500 jobs since before the pandemic and has gained every year since 2020, federal data shows. Many of the gains have been in manufacturing and health care and away from the historically dominant oil and gas sector.
Mandi Mitchell, president and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, cited a number of recent wins and the jobs generated in recent years, including Baton Rouge-based MMR Group, which has opened its Lafayette operations and plans to eventually employ 196.
People are moving to where job opportunities are, she said.
鈥淟afayette has a deeply embedded entrepreneurial culture from family-owned restaurants to tech startups,鈥� she said. 鈥淧eople are attracted to communities that embrace and encourage innovation.鈥�
Data from One Acadiana shows the agency鈥檚 efforts led to 3,000 new jobs across the region, President and CEO Troy Wayman said. His agency has worked with LEDA to diversify the region鈥檚 economy in recent years.
鈥淧opulation growth doesn鈥檛 happen by accident,鈥� Wayman said. 鈥淭he progress we鈥檙e seeing is the outcome of coordinated efforts to make Lafayette and Acadiana a place where people want to live, work and invest."
鈥淧opulation growth reflects confidence in our economy, and this is a clear signal that these efforts are delivering real results.鈥�
Lafayette Parish鈥檚 population has been on an upward climb since the pandemic and has outpaced other parishes that have been traditional hot spots for growth.
Its population swelled by 16,179 since the census data from April 1, 2020, and has led the state since then. That total was ahead of St. Tammany Parish (14,543), Livingston (12,749), Ascension (8,606) and Tangipahoa (8,180).
The quality of life also helps draw new residents to the parish, Mitchell said. The culture, coupled with a relatively low cost of living, has made it attractive.
鈥淧eople won鈥檛 move somewhere only for a paycheck,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 community must have the quality-of-life amenities they want. The growth we鈥檙e seeing is a vote of confidence that we鈥檙e on the right track.鈥�
Population growth in Acadiana, however, was centered in Lafayette Parish. Of the six neighboring parishes, only Vermilion reported an increase over last year, rising slightly by only 66.
St. Landry, St. Martin, Iberia, Acadia and Evangeline lost residents, data shows. Iberia Parish had the biggest drop at 727, which trailed only Vernon Parish as the biggest drop among nonmetro parishes, data shows.
Since April 2020, Iberia Parish has lost nearly 3,500 residents, while St. Landry Parish has lost nearly 1,800.
Vernon, which lost nearly 1,000 residents in 2025, had the second-highest percentage decrease in population in the U.S., data shows.