Bernice, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bernice, Louisiana had a total population of 1,355, the 240th largest town in Louisiana, with a median household income of $26,399, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Bernice Quick Facts
How Bernice 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 | 1,170 | 1,355 | +15.8% |
| Median household income | $24,278 | $26,399 | +8.7% |
| Median home value | $90,300 | $80,300 | -11.1% |
How Bernice 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bernice Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Union Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmerville | 3,407 | $26,356 | 42.3% | $104,900 |
| Marion | 539 | $28,452 | 36.9% | $142,100 |
| Junction City | 525 | N/A | 59.1% | N/A |
| Lillie | 133 | $53,750 | 31.6% | N/A |
| Spearsville | 93 | $44,375 | 22.6% | $87,500 |
Cities Similar to Bernice
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banks Springs | 1,406 | $26,232 | $80,700 | 4.8% | 65.3% |
| Duson | 1,282 | $25,054 | $54,300 | 11.1% | 39.3% |
| Colfax | 1,240 | $26,250 | $73,400 | 9.5% | 37.3% |
| Gueydan | 1,464 | $27,891 | $74,300 | 7.7% | 39.5% |
| Ringgold | 1,405 | $30,592 | $92,800 | 5.2% | 33.8% |
Population Overview
Bernice is a small community located in Louisiana, within Union Parish. The total population is 1,355. It ranks as the 240th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bernice is 41.8 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bernice is $26,399. This is 57% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 67% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.1%. This is 49% 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 4.6%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $80,300. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 68.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bernice is Black or African American, making up 62.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.9%) is well below the state average of 55.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (62.6% vs 30.5%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.2% vs 7.2%).
Education
7.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% 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 78.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bernice, 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 Bernice, Louisiana?
Bernice, Louisiana has a population of 1,355 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bernice, LA?
The median household income in Bernice is $26,399, which is 67% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bernice, LA?
The poverty rate in Bernice is 28.1%. This means approximately 343 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bernice, Louisiana?
Bernice's population is 15.9% White, 62.6% Black, 20.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bernice, LA?
The median home value in Bernice is $80,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Bernice, Louisiana?
7.8% of adults (25+) in Bernice hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.