Ouachita Parish, Louisiana Demographics 2026
Ouachita Parish, Louisiana has a population of 158,480, the 8th most populous county in Louisiana. The median household income is $54,688 and the median home value is $194,400. The poverty rate is 23.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Ouachita Parish Quick Facts
How Ouachita Parish 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 | 158,916 | 158,480 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $51,241 | $54,688 | +6.7% |
| Median home value | $183,000 | $194,400 | +6.2% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Ouachita Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | 47,004 | $40,505 | 35.9% | $198,900 |
| Claiborne | 13,308 | $72,420 | 11.3% | $219,200 |
| West Monroe | 12,729 | $49,386 | 26.3% | $192,400 |
| Brownsville | 4,357 | $35,526 | 29.4% | $74,700 |
| Swartz | 4,110 | $67,287 | 14.5% | $199,800 |
| Richwood | 3,839 | $31,680 | 39.1% | $53,000 |
| Lakeshore | 3,437 | $48,214 | 23.6% | $166,800 |
| Bawcomville | 2,804 | $24,929 | 47.3% | $61,500 |
| Sterlington | 2,229 | $69,007 | 17.3% | $228,400 |
| Calhoun | 420 | $138,372 | 0.0% | $275,200 |
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Population Overview
Ouachita Parish is located in Louisiana with a total population of 158,480. It is the 8th most populous county out of 64 in Louisiana. The county encompasses 10 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ouachita Parish is 36.6 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ouachita Parish is $54,688. This is 10% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 22% 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 6.5%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $194,400. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 61.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ouachita Parish is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.2%.
Education
28.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 88.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Ouachita Parish come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Louisiana and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana?
Ouachita Parish has a population of 158,480, making it the 8th most populous county in Louisiana.
What is the median income in Ouachita Parish?
The median household income in Ouachita Parish is $54,688 with a poverty rate of 23.2%.
How many cities are in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana?
Ouachita Parish contains 10 Census-designated places.