Tippecanoe County is part of the Lafayette, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
2000 148,955 1990 130,598 1980 121,702 1970 109,378 1960 89,122 1950 74,473 1940 51,020 1930 47,535 1920 42,813 1910 40,063 1900 38,659 1890 35,078 1880 35,966 1870 33,515 1860 25,726 1850 19,377 1840 13,724 1830 7,187
As of the census of 2000, there were 148,955 people, 55,226 households, and 32,417 families residing in the county. The population density was 298 people per square mile (115/km²). There were 58,343 housing units at an average density of 117 per square mile (45/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.86% White, 2.52% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 4.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.48% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 5.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.1% were of German, 13.7% American, 9.4% Irish and 9.1% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 55,226 households out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.90% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.30% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 20.90% under the age of 18, 25.40% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 17.40% from 45 to 64, and 9.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 105.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,652, and the median income for a family was $51,791. Males had a median income of $37,606 versus $25,142 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,375. About 7.30% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.10% of those under age 18 and 4.30% of those age 65 or over.