Natchitoches city, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Natchitoches city, Louisiana has a total population of 17,682, the 27th largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $38,731, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Natchitoches city Quick Facts
How Natchitoches 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+)
Natchitoches city Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Cities Similar to Natchitoches city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gretna city | 17,468 | $46,045 | $242,600 | 26.0% | 25.0% |
| 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% |
| Thibodaux city | 15,792 | $53,775 | $237,400 | 37.5% | 22.0% |
Population Overview
Natchitoches city is a small city located in Louisiana. The total population is 17,682. It ranks as the 27th most populous out of 487 cities and towns in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Natchitoches city is 26.7 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 37.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Natchitoches city is $38,731. This is 35% lower than the state median of $60,023. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 51% lower. The poverty rate stands at 34.8%. This is 84% 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 7.6%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $188,400. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $208,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 42.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Natchitoches city is Black or African American, making up 55.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (55.6% vs 30.8%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.
Education
29.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% higher 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 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Natchitoches 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 Natchitoches city, Louisiana?
Natchitoches city, Louisiana has a population of 17,682 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Natchitoches city, LA?
The median household income in Natchitoches city is $38,731, which is 51% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Natchitoches city, LA?
The poverty rate in Natchitoches city is 34.8%. This means approximately 5,380 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Natchitoches city, Louisiana?
Natchitoches city's population is 35.3% White, 55.6% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Natchitoches city, LA?
The median home value in Natchitoches city is $188,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Natchitoches city, Louisiana?
29.5% of adults (25+) in Natchitoches city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.