Oakdale, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oakdale, Louisiana had a total population of 6,546, the 85th largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $42,540, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.4% is notably above the national average.
Oakdale Quick Facts
How Oakdale 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 | 6,614 | 6,546 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $45,038 | $42,540 | -5.5% |
| Median home value | $106,800 | $98,700 | -7.6% |
How Oakdale 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+)
Oakdale Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Allen Parish
Cities Similar to Oakdale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | 6,461 | $39,518 | $104,400 | 9.9% | 27.3% |
| Rayne | 7,105 | $42,151 | $156,500 | 8.7% | 25.5% |
| Galliano | 5,906 | $49,918 | $134,200 | 8.4% | 18.3% |
| Breaux Bridge | 7,501 | $47,806 | $175,900 | 20.3% | 30.4% |
| Patterson | 5,744 | $49,886 | $160,400 | 9.0% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
Oakdale is a small city located in Louisiana, within Allen Parish. The total population is 6,546. It ranks as the 85th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oakdale is 40.1 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. Only 14.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oakdale is $42,540. This is 30% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.8%. This is 73% 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 14.4%. This is 130% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $98,700. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $216,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Oakdale is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Oakdale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.6% vs 7.2%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.
Education
7.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% 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 75.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oakdale, 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.
Free data download: Get all Louisiana city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Oakdale, Louisiana?
Oakdale, Louisiana has a population of 6,546 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oakdale, LA?
The median household income in Oakdale is $42,540, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oakdale, LA?
The poverty rate in Oakdale is 32.8%. This means approximately 1,448 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oakdale, Louisiana?
Oakdale's population is 52.6% White, 27.5% Black, 14.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oakdale, LA?
The median home value in Oakdale is $98,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Oakdale, Louisiana?
7.5% of adults (25+) in Oakdale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.