Fort Polk South, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Polk South, Louisiana had a total population of 7,869, the 71st largest community in Louisiana, with a median household income of $63,800, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 34.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Louisiana.
Fort Polk South Quick Facts
How Fort Polk South 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 | 8,056 | 7,869 | -2.3% |
| Median household income | $62,790 | $63,800 | +1.6% |
How Fort Polk South 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+)
Fort Polk South Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Vernon Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeRidder | 9,763 | $59,801 | 19.1% | $156,600 |
| Leesville | 5,495 | $37,500 | 33.7% | $118,600 |
| Fort Polk North | 2,401 | $47,588 | 16.7% | N/A |
| New Llano | 2,144 | $52,135 | 20.8% | $118,100 |
| Rosepine | 1,702 | $60,625 | 9.5% | $172,600 |
| Anacoco | 889 | $73,214 | 13.2% | $211,500 |
| Pitkin | 489 | $116,419 | 4.9% | N/A |
| Hornbeck | 412 | $37,462 | 22.4% | $110,700 |
| Simpson | 395 | $90,313 | 9.1% | $147,200 |
Cities Similar to Fort Polk South
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve | 7,791 | $55,450 | $154,100 | 10.3% | 19.1% |
| Meraux | 7,918 | $76,021 | $208,700 | 28.4% | 21.7% |
| St. Rose | 7,644 | $74,075 | $238,900 | 24.8% | 8.1% |
| Ponchatoula | 7,808 | $51,161 | $200,300 | 23.9% | 14.3% |
| Eden Isle | 7,683 | $78,426 | $371,600 | 33.2% | 4.8% |
Population Overview
Fort Polk South is a small city located in Louisiana, within Vernon Parish. The total population is 7,869. It ranks as the 71st most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Polk South is 23.0 years. This is 39% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 32.3% of the population under 18, Fort Polk South has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Polk South is $63,800. This is 5% higher than the state median of $60,756. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. 1.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 98% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Polk South is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.8% vs 7.2%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.7% vs 1.7%).
Education
34.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Fort Polk South in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 26% 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 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Polk South, 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 Fort Polk South, Louisiana?
Fort Polk South, Louisiana has a population of 7,869 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Polk South, LA?
The median household income in Fort Polk South is $63,800, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Polk South, LA?
The poverty rate in Fort Polk South is 14.0%. This means approximately 932 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Polk South, Louisiana?
Fort Polk South's population is 50.2% White, 16.1% Black, 20.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Polk South, LA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Fort Polk South — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Fort Polk South, Louisiana?
34.0% of adults (25+) in Fort Polk South hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.