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Metairie, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026

4th Largest4th most populous city in Louisiana

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Metairie, Louisiana had a total population of 139,729, the 4th largest community in Louisiana, with a median household income of $73,042, which is 20% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Metairie Quick Facts

Population 139,729
Median Household Income $73,042
Median Home Value $327,500
Poverty Rate 12.5%
Unemployment Rate 4.6%
Median Age 41.3 years
Homeownership Rate 62.1%
Affordability Ratio 4.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 41.2%
High School Graduation Rate 91.3%
Diversity Index 54/100
Population 139,729 4th of 488
Median Income $73,042 top 30%
Poverty Rate 12.5% about the same as national
Median Home Value $327,500 top 10%

How Metairie Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population138,995139,729+0.5%
Median household income$73,256$73,042-0.3%
Median home value$308,900$327,500+6.0%

How Metairie Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 14.8%
$25K-$50K 19.1%
$50K-$100K 29.3%
$100K+ 36.9%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.2%
$10K-$15K
2.8%
$15K-$20K
3.0%
$20K-$25K
3.7%
$25K-$30K
3.9%
$30K-$35K
3.8%
$35K-$40K
3.2%
$40K-$45K
4.6%
$45K-$50K
3.5%
$50K-$60K
7.2%
$60K-$75K
9.8%
$75K-$100K
12.2%
$100K-$125K
9.4%
$125K-$150K
6.5%
$150K-$200K
8.4%
$200K+
12.5%

Employment

4.6% Unemployment Rate State: 6.3%|National: 5.2%
64.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 62.1%
Renter 37.9%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.5x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,175/mo 19.3% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

54out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 59 | National average: 61

Education

Metairie Rankings in Louisiana

#4 Population of 488
#96 Median Income of 437
#21 Education of 488
#14 Home Value of 425

Other Cities in Jefferson Parish

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Kenner 64,904 $64,020 15.4% $246,300
Marrero 32,540 $41,402 23.0% $169,800
Terrytown 24,726 $51,718 19.2% $220,300
Harvey 20,915 $48,774 25.8% $200,100
Gretna 17,389 $43,110 26.9% $257,400
Estelle 16,341 $78,869 17.0% $217,300
River Ridge 13,312 $84,336 9.7% $357,400
Woodmere 11,879 $75,828 18.2% $191,100
Waggaman 11,330 $68,374 24.5% $170,400
Timberlane 10,886 $65,901 25.1% $221,000

Cities Similar to Metairie

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Lafayette121,715$61,915$257,00041.1%18.3%
Shreveport180,982$48,699$178,90028.5%23.5%
Lake Charles81,143$59,235$214,30029.1%23.3%
Baton Rouge222,771$49,994$234,70036.6%25.7%
Kenner64,904$64,020$246,30029.1%15.4%

Population Overview

Metairie is a major urban center located in Louisiana, within Jefferson Parish. The total population is 139,729. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Metairie is 41.3 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Metairie is $73,042. This is 20% higher than the state median of $60,756. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $327,500. Housing costs are 51% higher than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 62.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 67.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Metairie is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.3%. The Black or African American population (9.8%) is well below the state average of 30.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.3% vs 7.2%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.1% vs 1.7%).

Education

41.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Metairie in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 52% 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 91.3%. Notably, 15.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Metairie, 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 Metairie, Louisiana?

Metairie, Louisiana has a population of 139,729 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Metairie, LA?

The median household income in Metairie is $73,042, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Metairie, LA?

The poverty rate in Metairie is 12.5%. This means approximately 17,443 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Metairie, Louisiana?

Metairie's population is 64.3% White, 9.8% Black, 18.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.

What is the median home value in Metairie, LA?

The median home value in Metairie is $327,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.

How educated is Metairie, Louisiana?

41.2% of adults (25+) in Metairie hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.