[4] It is home to Purdue University and is a college town and the most densely populated city in Indiana.

Augustus Wylie laid out a town in 1836 in the Wabash River floodplain south of the present Levee.

The present 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.

[5] The new town of Chauncey remained a small suburban village until Purdue University opened in 1869.

In 1871 Chauncey voted to be annexed by Lafayette because it was unable to provide the infrastructure (such as improved streets, waterworks, police and fire protection).

Lafayette voted against annexing Chauncey because of the high cost of the many improvements that the village lacked.

[6] In May 1888, the town of Chauncey voted to change its name to West Lafayette after a petition signed by 152 electors.

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.

[9][10] West Lafayette lies in central Tippecanoe County and overlooks the Wabash River, which borders the city on the east and south.

Following the 2010 census, West Lafayette annexed additional territory including the Purdue University main campus.

The economy of West Lafayette is heavily influenced by the presence of Purdue University, with an enrollment of over 50,000,[18] more than the city's population.

[19] The Park offers communications infrastructure, research facilities, a business incubation complex to help start-up firms and scenic walking trails and lakes.

The Levee features Wabash Landing, a complex containing shops, restaurants, coffee houses, a 9-screen movie theater, a hotel and the Riverside Skating Center.

The nine-member Common Council holds the city's legislative authority and makes the laws through ordinances, orders, resolutions and motions.

There are other schools, both public and private, that have a West Lafayette address, but these are actually located outside the city limits.

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.

There is also a variety of private schools in Lafayette and an Ivy Tech Community College branch.