Patterson, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Patterson, Louisiana had a total population of 5,744, the 96th largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $49,886, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.5% is notably above the national average.
Patterson Quick Facts
How Patterson 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 | 5,801 | 5,744 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $48,002 | $49,886 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $137,200 | $160,400 | +16.9% |
How Patterson 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+)
Patterson Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in St. Mary Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | 6,461 | $39,518 | 27.3% | $104,400 |
| Berwick | 4,607 | $51,580 | 18.6% | $212,400 |
| Bayou Vista | 3,842 | $40,500 | 24.6% | $144,700 |
| Baldwin | 1,962 | $31,669 | 26.9% | $129,400 |
| Amelia | 1,712 | $55,472 | 18.0% | $87,500 |
| Charenton | 1,440 | $63,463 | 12.3% | $122,400 |
| Centerville | 685 | $74,509 | 24.5% | $320,400 |
| Sorrel | 564 | $62,578 | 15.1% | N/A |
| Siracusaville | 515 | $78,085 | 0.0% | $95,000 |
| Glencoe | 144 | $30,742 | 6.9% | $9,999 |
Cities Similar to Patterson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galliano | 5,906 | $49,918 | $134,200 | 8.4% | 18.3% |
| Grambling | 5,287 | N/A | $181,700 | 35.4% | 52.4% |
| Gray | 5,154 | $54,559 | $139,400 | 11.8% | 14.7% |
| Leesville | 5,495 | $37,500 | $118,600 | 18.7% | 33.7% |
| Chackbay | 5,436 | $65,968 | $217,000 | 20.2% | 7.4% |
Population Overview
Patterson is a small city located in Louisiana, within St. Mary Parish. The total population is 5,744. It ranks as the 96th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Patterson is 36.3 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 30.7% of the population under 18, Patterson has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Patterson is $49,886. This is 18% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.9%. This is 21% 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 9.5%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $160,400. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 56.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Patterson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 39.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 7.2%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.
Education
9.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 83.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Patterson, 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 Patterson, Louisiana?
Patterson, Louisiana has a population of 5,744 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Patterson, LA?
The median household income in Patterson is $49,886, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Patterson, LA?
The poverty rate in Patterson is 22.9%. This means approximately 1,286 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Patterson, Louisiana?
Patterson's population is 47.6% White, 39.9% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Patterson, LA?
The median home value in Patterson is $160,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Patterson, Louisiana?
9.0% of adults (25+) in Patterson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.