Baker, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Baker, Louisiana had a total population of 12,253, the 42nd largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $54,750, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 16.6% is notably above the national average.
Baker Quick Facts
How Baker Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,322 | 12,253 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $59,451 | $54,750 | -7.9% |
| Median home value | $146,700 | $157,900 | +7.6% |
How Baker Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Baker Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in East Baton Rouge Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | 222,771 | $49,994 | 25.7% | $234,700 |
| Central | 29,783 | $89,554 | 5.4% | $288,700 |
| Zachary | 19,952 | $84,480 | 8.5% | $259,100 |
| Shenandoah | 17,998 | $107,021 | 8.2% | $331,100 |
| Gardere | 12,223 | $55,409 | 35.3% | $243,300 |
| Merrydale | 9,490 | $41,500 | 30.0% | $136,100 |
| Oak Hills Place | 9,038 | $92,306 | 7.2% | $437,900 |
| Village St. George | 8,273 | $96,364 | 5.1% | $252,900 |
| Old Jefferson | 7,860 | $92,075 | 8.8% | $239,700 |
| Inniswold | 6,357 | $102,337 | 12.6% | $349,600 |
Cities Similar to Baker
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardere | 12,223 | $55,409 | $243,300 | 30.8% | 35.3% |
| Bayou Blue | 12,218 | $63,958 | $189,100 | 15.5% | 23.9% |
| West Monroe | 12,729 | $49,386 | $192,400 | 22.0% | 26.3% |
| Morgan City | 11,064 | $56,474 | $155,200 | 15.3% | 17.4% |
| Carencro | 11,619 | $63,401 | $214,800 | 15.9% | 24.5% |
Population Overview
Baker is a small city located in Louisiana, within East Baton Rouge Parish. The total population is 12,253. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Baker is 33.5 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Baker is $54,750. This is 10% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.8%. This is 57% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 16.6%. This is 164% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $157,900. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $216,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Baker is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Baker has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 87.0% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.0%) is well below the state average of 55.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (87.0% vs 30.5%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 7.2%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.
Education
20.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Baker, Louisiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Louisiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Baker, Louisiana?
Baker, Louisiana has a population of 12,253 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Baker, LA?
The median household income in Baker is $54,750, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Baker, LA?
The poverty rate in Baker is 29.8%. This means approximately 3,612 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Baker, Louisiana?
Baker's population is 10.0% White, 87.0% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Baker, LA?
The median home value in Baker is $157,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Baker, Louisiana?
20.6% of adults (25+) in Baker hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.