St. James, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. James, Louisiana had a total population of 431, the 376th largest community in Louisiana. The poverty rate is 3.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.0% — among the lowest in Louisiana.
- Unemployment rate of 11.1% is notably above the national average.
St. James Quick Facts
How St. James 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 | 395 | 431 | +9.1% |
| Median home value | $168,800 | $181,700 | +7.6% |
How St. James 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
St. James Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in St. James Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lutcher | 2,991 | $60,375 | 14.1% | $219,600 |
| South Vacherie | 2,954 | $81,310 | 3.7% | $234,600 |
| Gramercy | 2,814 | $67,813 | 11.2% | $225,100 |
| Grand Point | 2,341 | $88,674 | 5.1% | $253,800 |
| North Vacherie | 1,905 | $37,083 | 18.8% | $221,900 |
| Paulina | 1,785 | $88,839 | 2.1% | $283,100 |
| Welcome | 796 | $56,250 | 16.2% | N/A |
| Hester | 654 | $138,879 | 0.0% | $194,000 |
| Convent | 637 | N/A | 4.4% | N/A |
| Union | 526 | $71,563 | 6.1% | N/A |
Cities Similar to St. James
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mer Rouge | 437 | $56,583 | $66,000 | 15.5% | 24.3% |
| Varnado | 425 | $39,250 | $106,300 | 12.7% | 23.3% |
| Rock Hill | 438 | N/A | $162,100 | 23.3% | 17.6% |
| Spokane | 442 | $97,361 | N/A | 31.8% | 0.0% |
| Calhoun | 420 | $138,372 | $275,200 | 22.4% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 431, St. James's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
St. James is a small community located in Louisiana, within St. James Parish. The total population is 431. It ranks as the 376th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. James is 55.3 years. This is 46% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. Only 12.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 3.0%. This is 84% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 11.1%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $181,700. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $216,500. 94.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in St. James is Black or African American, making up 72.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (27.8%) is well below the state average of 55.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (72.2% vs 30.5%).
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. James, 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 St. James, Louisiana?
St. James, Louisiana has a population of 431 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. James, LA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for St. James — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. James, LA?
The poverty rate in St. James is 3.0%. This means approximately 13 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. James, Louisiana?
St. James's population is 27.8% White, 72.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. James, LA?
The median home value in St. James is $181,700.
How educated is St. James, Louisiana?
13.2% of adults (25+) in St. James hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.