Chatham, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chatham, Louisiana had a total population of 534, the 349th largest town in Louisiana, with a median household income of $37,353, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.5%.
Chatham Quick Facts
How Chatham 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 | 678 | 534 | -21.2% |
| Median household income | $31,458 | $37,353 | +18.7% |
| Median home value | $45,000 | $42,500 | -5.6% |
How Chatham 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+)
Chatham Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | 4,063 | $41,786 | 35.1% | $80,300 |
| Hodge | 597 | $47,800 | 20.1% | $76,500 |
| North Hodge | 493 | $36,012 | 40.4% | $93,800 |
| Quitman | 321 | $31,806 | 47.0% | $78,800 |
| East Hodge | 273 | $31,500 | 44.3% | $78,400 |
| Eros | 206 | $32,250 | 31.6% | $48,000 |
Cities Similar to Chatham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junction City | 525 | N/A | N/A | 7.0% | 59.1% |
| Napoleonville | 511 | N/A | N/A | 5.3% | 55.0% |
| Dulac | 517 | $38,750 | $106,500 | 4.4% | 19.7% |
| North Hodge | 493 | $36,012 | $93,800 | 13.7% | 40.4% |
| Roanoke | 482 | N/A | $169,600 | 13.4% | 6.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 534, Chatham's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Chatham is a small community located in Louisiana, within Jackson Parish. The total population is 534. It ranks as the 349th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chatham is 45.3 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chatham is $37,353. This is 39% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 0.5%. This is 92% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $42,500. Housing costs are 80% lower than the state median of $216,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Chatham is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chatham is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 42.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
17.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 63.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chatham, 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 Chatham, Louisiana?
Chatham, Louisiana has a population of 534 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chatham, LA?
The median household income in Chatham is $37,353, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chatham, LA?
The poverty rate in Chatham is 14.4%. This means approximately 77 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chatham, Louisiana?
Chatham's population is 42.5% White, 42.3% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chatham, LA?
The median home value in Chatham is $42,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Chatham, Louisiana?
17.4% of adults (25+) in Chatham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.