Orleans Parish, Louisiana Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Orleans Parish is located in Louisiana with a total population of 376,035. It is the 3rd most populous county out of 64 in Louisiana. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Orleans Parish is 38.4 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Orleans Parish is $55,339. This is 8% lower than the state median of $60,023. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 20% 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 7.8%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $296,400. Housing costs are 42% higher than the state median of $208,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 50.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Orleans Parish is Black or African American, making up 54.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (54.7% vs 30.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.8% vs 1.7%).

Education

41.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Orleans Parish in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 58% 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 89.1%. Notably, 19.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.