Jena, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jena, Louisiana had a total population of 4,160, the 121st largest town in Louisiana, with a median household income of $71,730, which is 18% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Jena Quick Facts
How Jena 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 | 4,139 | 4,160 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $85,955 | $71,730 | -16.5% |
| Median home value | $157,900 | $139,700 | -11.5% |
How Jena 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+)
Jena Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in LaSalle Parish
Cities Similar to Jena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swartz | 4,110 | $67,287 | $199,800 | 27.1% | 14.5% |
| Monticello | 3,999 | $70,441 | $176,000 | 13.6% | 11.6% |
| Brownfields | 4,261 | $65,929 | $207,200 | 19.8% | 24.3% |
| Carlyss | 4,412 | $78,179 | $173,200 | 18.2% | 16.1% |
| Eastwood | 4,440 | $80,603 | $258,100 | 25.5% | 9.6% |
Population Overview
Jena is a small community located in Louisiana, within LaSalle Parish. The total population is 4,160. It ranks as the 121st most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jena is 34.7 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jena is $71,730. This is 18% higher than the state median of $60,756. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $139,700. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $216,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Jena is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Jena is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.9%. The Black or African American population (11.9%) is well below the state average of 30.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 7.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.4% vs 1.7%).
Education
21.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 91.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jena, 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 Jena, Louisiana?
Jena, Louisiana has a population of 4,160 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jena, LA?
The median household income in Jena is $71,730, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jena, LA?
The poverty rate in Jena is 11.3%. This means approximately 439 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jena, Louisiana?
Jena's population is 79.2% White, 11.9% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jena, LA?
The median home value in Jena is $139,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Jena, Louisiana?
21.8% of adults (25+) in Jena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.