Gretna city, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Gretna city, Louisiana has a total population of 17,468, the 28th largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $46,045, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.0%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Gretna city Quick Facts
How Gretna city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 58 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gretna city Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Cities Similar to Gretna city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natchitoches city | 17,682 | $38,731 | $188,400 | 29.5% | 34.8% |
| Thibodaux city | 15,792 | $53,775 | $237,400 | 37.5% | 22.0% |
| Opelousas city | 15,662 | $36,260 | $113,000 | 10.9% | 34.0% |
| Hammond city | 20,790 | $41,222 | $219,400 | 30.6% | 34.9% |
| Harvey CDP | 21,710 | $43,524 | $189,700 | 18.7% | 27.3% |
Population Overview
Gretna city is a small city located in Louisiana. The total population is 17,468. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 487 cities and towns in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gretna city is 37.3 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 37.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gretna city is $46,045. This is 23% lower than the state median of $60,023. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.0%. This is 33% 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 6.9%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $242,600. Housing costs are 16% higher than the state median of $208,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gretna city 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 32.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.8% vs 7.0%).
Education
26.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 26.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gretna city, Louisiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Louisiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 487 Census-designated places in Louisiana. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gretna city, Louisiana?
Gretna city, Louisiana has a population of 17,468 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gretna city, LA?
The median household income in Gretna city is $46,045, which is 41% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Gretna city, LA?
The poverty rate in Gretna city is 25.0%. This means approximately 4,084 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gretna city, Louisiana?
Gretna city's population is 38.9% White, 32.0% Black, 22.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gretna city, LA?
The median home value in Gretna city is $242,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is Gretna city, Louisiana?
26.0% of adults (25+) in Gretna city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.