Rayville, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rayville, Louisiana had a total population of 3,261, the 141st largest town in Louisiana, with a median household income of $27,273, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 41.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (41.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.2% is notably above the national average.
Rayville Quick Facts
How Rayville 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 | 3,297 | 3,261 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $24,474 | $27,273 | +11.4% |
| Median home value | $111,600 | $99,100 | -11.2% |
How Rayville 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+)
Rayville Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Richland Parish
Cities Similar to Rayville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Providence | 3,349 | $27,580 | $115,600 | 17.3% | 39.2% |
| Farmerville | 3,407 | $26,356 | $104,900 | 8.7% | 42.3% |
| Ferriday | 3,098 | $28,467 | $84,800 | 20.0% | 55.0% |
| Bunkie | 3,253 | $22,267 | $93,300 | 9.5% | 55.0% |
| Mamou | 2,864 | $24,808 | $86,500 | 7.6% | 58.5% |
Population Overview
Rayville is a small community located in Louisiana, within Richland Parish. The total population is 3,261. It ranks as the 141st most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rayville is 31.1 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 33.9% of the population under 18, Rayville has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rayville is $27,273. This is 55% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 66% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 41.1%. This is 117% 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 12.2%. This is 94% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $99,100. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 34.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 48% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rayville is Black or African American, making up 80.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.5%) is well below the state average of 55.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (80.0% vs 30.5%).
Education
15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 68.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rayville, 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 Rayville, Louisiana?
Rayville, Louisiana has a population of 3,261 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rayville, LA?
The median household income in Rayville is $27,273, which is 66% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rayville, LA?
The poverty rate in Rayville is 41.1%. This means approximately 1,293 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rayville, Louisiana?
Rayville's population is 18.5% White, 80.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rayville, LA?
The median home value in Rayville is $99,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Rayville, Louisiana?
15.0% of adults (25+) in Rayville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.