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Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Louisiana has a total population of 4,621,025, with a median household income of $60,023, which is 24% lower the national average. The poverty rate is 18.9%.

Louisiana Quick Facts

Population 4,621,025
Median Household Income $60,023
Median Home Value $208,700
Poverty Rate 18.9%
Unemployment Rate 6.3%
Median Age 37.8 years
Homeownership Rate 67.3%
Affordability Ratio 3.5x
Bachelor's Degree+ 26.6%
High School Graduation 86.9%
Counties 64
Cities/Places 487
Population 4,621,025
Median Income $60,023 24% lower national
Poverty Rate 18.9%
Unemployment 6.3%

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.3% Unemployment Rate State: 6.3% | National: 5.2%
59.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 67.3%
Renter 32.7%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.5x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

58out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 58 | National average: 60

Education

Largest Cities in Louisiana

#CityPopulationMedian IncomePoverty
1New Orleans city376,035$55,33922.6%
2Baton Rouge city223,699$49,94425.0%
3Shreveport city183,483$48,46523.6%
4Metairie CDP138,995$73,25612.7%
5Lafayette city121,537$61,45419.1%
6Lake Charles city81,679$56,86423.2%
7Kenner city65,113$64,09914.5%
8Bossier City city62,832$55,13020.4%
9Monroe city47,241$36,52138.9%
10Alexandria city44,566$47,35726.4%

Richest Cities in Louisiana

#CityMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+
1Bayou Gauche CDP$149,107$295,90033.2%
2Watson CDP$147,500$245,00028.3%
3Montz CDP$120,536$288,90014.5%
4Broussard city$116,613$301,00040.5%
5Prairieville CDP$115,610$302,20037.4%
6Youngsville city$113,164$263,20037.3%
7Bayou Country Club CDP$110,646$299,00050.3%
8Shenandoah CDP$107,544$319,30050.7%
9Sorrento town$106,250$218,80011.5%
10Addis town$105,635$242,30031.8%

Most Affordable Cities in Louisiana

By home-value-to-income ratio (lower = more affordable). Min. population 1,000.

#CityRatioHome ValueIncome
1Lawtell CDP0.5x$24,300$49,274
2Cecilia CDP1.2x$72,700$63,056
3Minorca CDP1.2x$53,600$45,192
4Crescent CDP1.3x$53,300$42,371
5Rosedale village1.5x$117,800$78,226
6Urania town1.5x$104,000$67,500
7Morse village1.5x$78,100$50,417
8Winnfield city1.6x$74,000$46,089
9Port Sulphur CDP1.6x$87,300$54,342
10Carlyss CDP1.7x$152,400$92,004

All Counties in Louisiana (64)

City ↕Population ↓Median Income ↕Poverty ↕Home Value ↕
East Baton Rouge Parish452,821$63,07518.6%$241,800
Jefferson Parish432,484$65,24616.3%$243,500
Orleans Parish376,035$55,33922.6%$296,400
St. Tammany Parish269,331$79,27712.2%$272,200
Lafayette Parish245,075$67,66017.4%$234,200
Caddo Parish232,973$50,06722.3%$175,900
Calcasieu Parish208,668$67,84917.8%$208,500
Ouachita Parish158,916$51,24124.0%$183,000
Livingston Parish145,583$78,61713.1%$218,900
Tangipahoa Parish135,218$57,25619.4%$204,600
Bossier Parish129,134$66,33616.4%$215,100
Ascension Parish128,593$92,26610.3%$265,300
Rapides Parish128,470$55,94618.9%$179,100
Terrebonne Parish107,362$64,81916.4%$189,100
Lafourche Parish96,670$63,43918.0%$190,800
St. Landry Parish82,128$45,63724.0%$142,900
Iberia Parish69,194$57,81122.6%$156,000
Acadia Parish57,218$45,26624.4%$146,900
Vermilion Parish57,031$57,53719.2%$159,700
St. Charles Parish51,863$82,1729.8%$256,800
St. Martin Parish51,559$53,39416.6%$151,000
St. Mary Parish48,455$51,76822.1%$128,000
Lincoln Parish48,160$38,03530.7%$195,500
Vernon Parish47,764$58,28118.3%$143,500
Washington Parish45,238$42,77624.2%$139,400
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All Cities & Places in Louisiana (487)

City ↕Population ↓Median Income ↕Poverty ↕Home Value ↕
New Orleans city376,035$55,33922.6%$296,400
Baton Rouge city223,699$49,94425.0%$224,500
Shreveport city183,483$48,46523.6%$178,100
Metairie CDP138,995$73,25612.7%$308,900
Lafayette city121,537$61,45419.1%$251,300
Lake Charles city81,679$56,86423.2%$204,000
Kenner city65,113$64,09914.5%$241,800
Bossier City city62,832$55,13020.4%$192,300
Monroe city47,241$36,52138.9%$174,800
Alexandria city44,566$47,35726.4%$182,800
Prairieville CDP35,010$115,6104.1%$302,200
Houma city32,760$54,63717.3%$207,900
Marrero CDP31,866$45,63322.2%$173,200
Central city29,603$90,0915.7%$270,700
Slidell city28,664$66,65715.4%$207,800
Laplace CDP28,480$68,02812.6%$188,900
New Iberia city27,926$50,80226.6%$150,300
Terrytown CDP25,844$56,94418.5%$212,000
Chalmette CDP22,447$56,87524.5%$203,800
Ruston city22,224$32,76536.3%$226,700
Bayou Cane CDP22,143$73,23518.7%$195,900
Harvey CDP21,710$43,52427.3%$189,700
Sulphur city21,004$58,04417.2%$175,200
Hammond city20,790$41,22234.9%$219,400
Zachary city19,637$90,5077.4%$258,000
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Download Louisiana Data

Free CSV downloads of Louisiana demographic data — no account or payment required.

Population Overview

Louisiana has a total population of 4,621,025, making it a mid-sized state in the nation. The median age is 37.8 years, 2% lower the national median of 38.7 years.

Age Demographics

The median age in Louisiana is 37.8 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Louisiana is $60,023. This is 24% lower than the state median of $78,538. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.9%. This is 52% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.4%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 5.2%. The median home value is $208,700. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $303,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 67.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 65.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Louisiana is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 30.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (30.8% vs 12.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (7.0%) is well below the state average of 19.0%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

26.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 35.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.9%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Louisiana?

Louisiana has a total population of 4,621,025 according to the U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median income in Louisiana?

The median household income in Louisiana is $60,023, which is 24% lower the national median of $78,538.

How many cities are in Louisiana?

Louisiana has 487 Census-designated places (cities, towns, and CDPs) and 64 counties.

What is the poverty rate in Louisiana?

The poverty rate in Louisiana is 18.9%, compared to the national average of 12.4%.

What is the largest city in Louisiana?

The largest city in Louisiana is New Orleans city with a population of 376,035.