Baton Rouge, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Baton Rouge, Louisiana had a total population of 222,771, the 2nd largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $49,994, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Baton Rouge is the 2nd largest city in Louisiana with a population of 222,771.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 36.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Louisiana.
- Unemployment rate of 9.2% is notably above the national average.
Baton Rouge Quick Facts
How Baton Rouge 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 | 223,699 | 222,771 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $49,944 | $49,994 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $224,500 | $234,700 | +4.5% |
How Baton Rouge 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Baton Rouge Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in East Baton Rouge Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Baker | 12,253 | $54,750 | 29.8% | $157,900 |
| 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 Baton Rouge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport | 180,982 | $48,699 | $178,900 | 28.5% | 23.5% |
| New Orleans | 371,853 | $56,631 | $315,700 | 42.4% | 22.6% |
| Metairie | 139,729 | $73,042 | $327,500 | 41.2% | 12.5% |
| Lafayette | 121,715 | $61,915 | $257,000 | 41.1% | 18.3% |
| Lake Charles | 81,143 | $59,235 | $214,300 | 29.1% | 23.3% |
Population Overview
Baton Rouge is a major urban center located in Louisiana, within East Baton Rouge Parish. The total population is 222,771. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Baton Rouge is 31.5 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Baton Rouge is $49,994. This is 18% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 36% 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 9.2%. This is 47% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $234,700. Housing costs are 8% higher than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 47.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Baton Rouge is Black or African American, making up 50.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.4% vs 30.5%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.0% vs 1.7%).
Education
36.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Baton Rouge in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 35% higher 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 87.6%. Notably, 16.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Baton Rouge, 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 Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
Baton Rouge, Louisiana has a population of 222,771 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median household income in Baton Rouge is $49,994, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Baton Rouge, LA?
The poverty rate in Baton Rouge is 25.7%. This means approximately 53,732 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
Baton Rouge's population is 34.8% White, 50.4% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median home value in Baton Rouge is $234,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
36.6% of adults (25+) in Baton Rouge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.