St. Joseph, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Joseph, Louisiana had a total population of 603, the 331st largest town in Louisiana, with a median household income of $38,393, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 39.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (39.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
St. Joseph Quick Facts
How St. Joseph 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 | 709 | 603 | -15.0% |
| Median household income | $33,864 | $38,393 | +13.4% |
| Median home value | $56,100 | $59,100 | +5.3% |
How St. Joseph 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. Joseph Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Tensas Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newellton | 997 | $25,190 | 46.9% | $52,800 |
| Waterproof | 576 | $21,786 | 70.7% | $47,300 |
Cities Similar to St. Joseph
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Isle | 623 | N/A | $269,500 | 15.4% | 36.5% |
| Wallace Ridge | 628 | N/A | $200,000 | 14.5% | 25.8% |
| Convent | 637 | N/A | N/A | 20.0% | 4.4% |
| Lecompte | 592 | $35,357 | $59,900 | 5.3% | 38.3% |
| Melville | 589 | $35,500 | $71,700 | 9.2% | 24.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 603, St. Joseph'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. Joseph is a small community located in Louisiana, within Tensas Parish. The total population is 603. It ranks as the 331st most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Joseph is 50.7 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Joseph is $38,393. This is 37% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 39.1%. This is 107% 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 5.6%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $59,100. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $216,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, St. Joseph is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in St. Joseph is Black or African American, making up 72.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 25.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (25.2%) is well below the state average of 55.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (72.6% vs 30.5%).
Education
10.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 86.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Joseph, 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. Joseph, Louisiana?
St. Joseph, Louisiana has a population of 603 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Joseph, LA?
The median household income in St. Joseph is $38,393, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Joseph, LA?
The poverty rate in St. Joseph is 39.1%. This means approximately 231 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Joseph, Louisiana?
St. Joseph's population is 25.2% White, 72.6% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Joseph, LA?
The median home value in St. Joseph is $59,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is St. Joseph, Louisiana?
10.1% of adults (25+) in St. Joseph hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.