Donaldsonville, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Donaldsonville, Louisiana had a total population of 6,831, the 82nd largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $23,618, which is 61% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 44.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 61% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (44.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.9x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 13.4% is notably above the national average.
Donaldsonville Quick Facts
How Donaldsonville 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 | 6,792 | 6,831 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $24,160 | $23,618 | -2.2% |
| Median home value | $175,500 | $185,900 | +5.9% |
How Donaldsonville 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+)
Donaldsonville Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Ascension Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prairieville | 35,238 | $104,923 | 4.6% | $317,400 |
| Gonzales | 13,108 | $75,451 | 8.9% | $225,800 |
| Sorrento | 2,203 | $117,604 | 8.5% | $232,200 |
| Lemannville | 841 | $16,947 | 75.1% | $75,300 |
| Darrow | 183 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Donaldsonville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ville Platte | 6,253 | $28,361 | $101,200 | 13.5% | 31.2% |
| Grambling | 5,287 | N/A | $181,700 | 35.4% | 52.4% |
| Tallulah | 5,969 | $33,419 | $79,300 | 12.7% | 41.7% |
| Franklin | 6,461 | $39,518 | $104,400 | 9.9% | 27.3% |
| Rayne | 7,105 | $42,151 | $156,500 | 8.7% | 25.5% |
Population Overview
Donaldsonville is a small city located in Louisiana, within Ascension Parish. The total population is 6,831. It ranks as the 82nd most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Donaldsonville is 29.1 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 33.2% of the population under 18, Donaldsonville has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Donaldsonville is $23,618. This is 61% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 71% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 44.8%. This is 137% 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 13.4%. This is 113% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $185,900. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 46.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Donaldsonville is Black or African American, making up 82.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 13.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.5%) is well below the state average of 55.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (82.2% vs 30.5%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 83.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Donaldsonville, 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 Donaldsonville, Louisiana?
Donaldsonville, Louisiana has a population of 6,831 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Donaldsonville, LA?
The median household income in Donaldsonville is $23,618, which is 71% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Donaldsonville, LA?
The poverty rate in Donaldsonville is 44.8%. This means approximately 3,026 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Donaldsonville, Louisiana?
Donaldsonville's population is 13.5% White, 82.2% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Donaldsonville, LA?
The median home value in Donaldsonville is $185,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.9x.
How educated is Donaldsonville, Louisiana?
14.2% of adults (25+) in Donaldsonville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.