Opelousas, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Opelousas, Louisiana had a total population of 15,495, the 32nd largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $32,964, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.9% is notably above the national average.
Opelousas Quick Facts
How Opelousas 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 | 15,662 | 15,495 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $36,260 | $32,964 | -9.1% |
| Median home value | $113,000 | $105,100 | -7.0% |
How Opelousas 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Opelousas Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in St. Landry Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eunice | 9,239 | $35,436 | 33.2% | $122,000 |
| Sunset | 3,074 | $60,964 | 15.4% | $206,100 |
| Port Barre | 2,275 | $41,278 | 21.9% | $75,700 |
| Leonville | 1,395 | $43,015 | 15.5% | $182,800 |
| Arnaudville | 1,239 | $16,111 | 67.1% | $83,400 |
| Lawtell | 1,171 | N/A | 22.3% | N/A |
| Grand Coteau | 959 | $34,730 | 45.7% | $117,500 |
| Krotz Springs | 831 | N/A | 26.6% | $63,300 |
| Melville | 589 | $35,500 | 24.8% | $71,700 |
| Washington | 564 | $41,563 | 28.9% | $85,300 |
Cities Similar to Opelousas
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natchitoches | 17,577 | $37,133 | $193,200 | 30.3% | 35.9% |
| Thibodaux | 15,732 | $52,072 | $232,500 | 34.6% | 19.6% |
| Gretna | 17,389 | $43,110 | $257,400 | 24.5% | 26.9% |
| Pineville | 14,160 | $49,774 | $201,500 | 26.2% | 21.1% |
| Minden | 11,455 | $34,294 | $130,200 | 16.7% | 26.7% |
Population Overview
Opelousas is a small city located in Louisiana, within St. Landry Parish. The total population is 15,495. It ranks as the 32nd most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Opelousas is 37.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Opelousas is $32,964. This is 46% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 59% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.4%. This is 98% 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 11.9%. This is 89% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $105,100. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 52.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Opelousas is Black or African American, making up 76.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.3%) is well below the state average of 55.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (76.5% vs 30.5%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.2%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.
Education
10.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 80.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Opelousas, 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 Opelousas, Louisiana?
Opelousas, Louisiana has a population of 15,495 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Opelousas, LA?
The median household income in Opelousas is $32,964, which is 59% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Opelousas, LA?
The poverty rate in Opelousas is 37.4%. This means approximately 5,648 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Opelousas, Louisiana?
Opelousas's population is 16.3% White, 76.5% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Opelousas, LA?
The median home value in Opelousas is $105,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Opelousas, Louisiana?
10.7% of adults (25+) in Opelousas hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.