Lafayette is a relaxed, rural community about 60 miles from Nashville
The city of Lafayette balances its peaceful environment with robust growth about 60 miles from Nashville. “We’re the type of place that, if you’re looking to get away from the city [Nashville], you come to relax and to reconnect to nature,” says Jennifer Hardman, executive director of Macon County Chamber of Commerce. “That’s our vibe. We have a lot of farmland, gently rolling hills and things of that nature.” Amidst the farmland is plenty of new development. Nearly half of the homes in the area were built after 2000, and the population has grown from about 5,500 in 2020 to an estimated 6,000 in 2025.
New construction makes up almost half of Lafayette’s homes
Lafayette’s housing market covers a wide range of properties, from early- and mid-20th-century properties to new construction and custom builds. Older houses like Tudor-inspired cottages are common near the city center; split-levels and ranch-style homes often appear farther out. Nearly half of the market is made up of New Traditionals and other residences built after 2000. “We are the fastest growing county in the Upper Cumberland,” Hardman says. There are also parcels of land waiting for new homes, starting at half an acre and climbing to over 10 acres. Older houses cost $150,000 to $300,000, while most newer homes cost $300,000 to $550,000. Properties on larger lots cost $720,000 to over $1.6 million. Manufactured homes cost $110,000 to $350,000.
Community parks include City Park and the Winding Stairs
Lafayette has three main parks: Lafayette City Park, Key Park and Winding Stairs Nature Trails. At City Park, amenities include a playground, tennis and volleyball courts and a pool that is open during the summer. Besides having a walking trail, Key Park hosts city events like the farmers market and Macon County Hillbilly Days. Hikers explore the shaded paths at Winding Stairs Nature Trails, which has a cascading waterfall. “They call it Jacob’s Ladder, and it’s winding stairs that the water falls off of,” Hardman says. Macon County Golf Course has nine holes that are open to the public, but members get discounted tee times.
Local businesses include Brotique, Gibson’s Cafe and Macon Drive-In
Local businesses make up most of the shopping and dining in Lafayette. Shops include 615 Boutique, which sells women’s clothes, and the menswear store Bro Co, better known as Brotique by residents. On weekdays, people get lunch at Gibson’s Cafe. Hardman says that Agave’s Mexican Restaurant Lafayette is a popular dinner spot. “It has an open bar, so it appeals to a larger crowd,” Hardman says. After dinner, people can watch a movie at the Macon Drive-In, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025. The farmers market is set up in Key Park most mornings from June to October, and grocery options include Piggly Wiggly and the locally owned Lafayette Hometown Foods, LLC. There is also a Walmart in Lafayette.
Lafayette is part of the Macon County School District
Lafayette students are served by Macon County School District. Prekindergartners through first graders may attend Fairlane Elementary, which receives a B-minus from Niche. Second and third graders go to the B-rated Central Elementary. Both Lafayette Elementary, which serves fourth and fifth graders, and Macon County Junior High earn a B-minus. The C-plus-rated Macon County High School has college, career and technical education programs like job fairs and field trips that help students prepare for life after graduation.
Events include Hillbilly Days and the Highway 52 Yard Sale
Residents look forward to Macon County Hillbilly Days, which is hosted at Key Park by the Lions and Lioness clubs every June. The three-day festival includes music competitions, a fish fry, disc golf tournament and the Itty Bitty Hillbilly Pageants, where kids dress up in their best country attire. The annual Highway 52 Yard Sale found its start in Lafayette but now spans over 90 miles between Orlina and Celina. Vendors come from all over to sell antiques, crafts and food on the third weekend of May. Hardman says that, since it creates increased traffic along the main highway, locals take back roads to get around during the event.
As the county seat, Lafayette hosts the Macon County Fair every summer. Programming includes pageants, competitions like a homemade ice cream contest and a cornhole tournament and 4-H events like livestock shows. There are carnival rides, food trucks and live music throughout the week.
Lafayette is a car-dependent community
Residents rely on cars to get around. State Route 52 goes through Lafayette, leading about 15 miles to the neighboring city of Westmoreland. Nashville International Airport is about 55 miles away and offers over 110 nonstop flights. Macon Community Hospital has an emergency room in Lafayette.
