Oil City, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oil City, Louisiana had a total population of 1,184, the 255th largest town in Louisiana, with a median household income of $21,325, which is 65% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 46.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 65% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (46.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 2.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.1% is notably above the national average.
Oil City Quick Facts
How Oil City 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 | 941 | 1,184 | +25.8% |
| Median household income | $17,381 | $21,325 | +22.7% |
| Median home value | $55,600 | $70,000 | +25.9% |
How Oil City 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+)
Oil City Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Caddo Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport | 180,982 | $48,699 | 23.5% | $178,900 |
| Blanchard | 3,437 | $75,069 | 12.5% | $208,600 |
| Greenwood | 3,110 | $64,063 | 3.7% | $241,600 |
| Vivian | 2,975 | $22,237 | 44.3% | $62,700 |
| Lakeview | 781 | $59,333 | 27.4% | $157,100 |
| Mooringsport | 688 | $21,989 | 27.9% | $76,700 |
| Hosston | 333 | $80,625 | 11.7% | N/A |
| Ida | 254 | $59,063 | 12.6% | $96,700 |
| Belcher | 204 | $90,000 | 8.5% | $170,800 |
| Rodessa | 173 | N/A | 35.3% | $60,000 |
Cities Similar to Oil City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawtell | 1,171 | N/A | N/A | 12.9% | 22.3% |
| Morse | 1,099 | N/A | $82,600 | 7.6% | 21.8% |
| Mansura | 1,263 | $21,797 | $117,300 | 10.5% | 52.2% |
| Rosedale | 1,034 | N/A | $123,000 | 22.6% | 10.2% |
| Colfax | 1,240 | $26,250 | $73,400 | 9.5% | 37.3% |
Population Overview
Oil City is a small community located in Louisiana, within Caddo Parish. The total population is 1,184. It ranks as the 255th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oil City is 28.7 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oil City is $21,325. This is 65% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 74% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 46.1%. This is 144% 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 11.1%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $70,000. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 29.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 56% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oil City is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 40.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
2.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 91% 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 80.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oil City, 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 Oil City, Louisiana?
Oil City, Louisiana has a population of 1,184 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oil City, LA?
The median household income in Oil City is $21,325, which is 74% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oil City, LA?
The poverty rate in Oil City is 46.1%. This means approximately 544 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oil City, Louisiana?
Oil City's population is 42.5% White, 40.5% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oil City, LA?
The median home value in Oil City is $70,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Oil City, Louisiana?
2.3% of adults (25+) in Oil City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.