New Orleans, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Orleans, Louisiana had a total population of 371,853, the 1st largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $56,631, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- New Orleans is the 1st largest city in Louisiana with a population of 371,853.
- 42.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Louisiana.
New Orleans Quick Facts
How New Orleans 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 | 376,035 | 371,853 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $56,631 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $296,400 | $315,700 | +6.5% |
How New Orleans 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
New Orleans Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Cities Similar to New Orleans
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | 222,771 | $49,994 | $234,700 | 36.6% | 25.7% |
| Shreveport | 180,982 | $48,699 | $178,900 | 28.5% | 23.5% |
| Metairie | 139,729 | $73,042 | $327,500 | 41.2% | 12.5% |
| Lafayette | 121,715 | $61,915 | $257,000 | 41.1% | 18.3% |
| Lake Charles | 81,143 | $59,235 | $214,300 | 29.1% | 23.3% |
Population Overview
New Orleans is a major urban center located in Louisiana, within Orleans Parish. The total population is 371,853. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Orleans is 38.8 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Orleans is $56,631. This is 7% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 19% 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 7.5%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $315,700. Housing costs are 46% higher than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 51.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in New Orleans is Black or African American, making up 53.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (53.9% vs 30.5%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.8% vs 1.7%).
Education
42.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places New Orleans in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 57% 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 89.6%. Notably, 19.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Orleans, 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 New Orleans, Louisiana?
New Orleans, Louisiana has a population of 371,853 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Orleans, LA?
The median household income in New Orleans is $56,631, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Orleans, LA?
The poverty rate in New Orleans is 22.6%. This means approximately 81,072 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Orleans, Louisiana?
New Orleans's population is 30.1% White, 53.9% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Orleans, LA?
The median home value in New Orleans is $315,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is New Orleans, Louisiana?
42.4% of adults (25+) in New Orleans hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.