Lawtell, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lawtell, Louisiana had a total population of 1,171, the 257th largest community in Louisiana. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Lawtell Quick Facts
How Lawtell 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 | 1,044 | 1,171 | +12.2% |
How Lawtell 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lawtell Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in St. Landry Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opelousas | 15,495 | $32,964 | 37.4% | $105,100 |
| Eunice | 9,239 | $35,436 | 33.2% | $122,000 |
| Sunset | 3,074 | $60,964 | 15.4% | $206,100 |
| Port Barre | 2,275 | $41,278 | 21.9% | $75,700 |
| Leonville | 1,395 | $43,015 | 15.5% | $182,800 |
| Arnaudville | 1,239 | $16,111 | 67.1% | $83,400 |
| Grand Coteau | 959 | $34,730 | 45.7% | $117,500 |
| Krotz Springs | 831 | N/A | 26.6% | $63,300 |
| Melville | 589 | $35,500 | 24.8% | $71,700 |
| Washington | 564 | $41,563 | 28.9% | $85,300 |
Cities Similar to Lawtell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ventress | 1,166 | $71,458 | $302,200 | 26.2% | 9.2% |
| Olla | 1,179 | $29,688 | $119,200 | 10.3% | 26.8% |
| Oil City | 1,184 | $21,325 | $70,000 | 2.3% | 46.1% |
| Clinton | 1,136 | $57,609 | $204,700 | 39.1% | 20.9% |
| Arnaudville | 1,239 | $16,111 | $83,400 | 5.5% | 67.1% |
Population Overview
Lawtell is a small community located in Louisiana, within St. Landry Parish. The total population is 1,171. It ranks as the 257th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lawtell is 49.8 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 10.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 18% 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 2.2%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. 84.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lawtell is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.1%.
Education
12.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 81.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lawtell, 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 Lawtell, Louisiana?
Lawtell, Louisiana has a population of 1,171 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lawtell, LA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Lawtell — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lawtell, LA?
The poverty rate in Lawtell is 22.3%. This means approximately 254 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lawtell, Louisiana?
Lawtell's population is 58.2% White, 36.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lawtell, LA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Lawtell — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Lawtell, Louisiana?
12.9% of adults (25+) in Lawtell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.