Sulphur, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sulphur, Louisiana had a total population of 20,775, the 24th largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $61,760, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sulphur Quick Facts
How Sulphur 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 | 21,004 | 20,775 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $58,044 | $61,760 | +6.4% |
| Median home value | $175,200 | $182,900 | +4.4% |
How Sulphur 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+)
Sulphur Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Calcasieu Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles | 81,143 | $59,235 | 23.3% | $214,300 |
| Moss Bluff | 12,482 | $92,036 | 8.9% | $252,900 |
| Prien | 7,119 | $87,292 | 6.3% | $278,000 |
| Westlake | 4,743 | $68,381 | 12.1% | $166,100 |
| Carlyss | 4,412 | $78,179 | 16.1% | $173,200 |
| Iowa | 3,200 | $59,779 | 15.8% | $249,200 |
| Vinton | 3,176 | $41,875 | 32.7% | $106,800 |
| DeQuincy | 2,931 | $44,281 | 16.5% | $124,500 |
| Hayes | 690 | $140,278 | 11.3% | $173,100 |
| Gillis | 667 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sulphur
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayou Cane | 21,253 | $74,350 | $188,700 | 19.3% | 16.0% |
| Harvey | 20,915 | $48,774 | $200,100 | 19.1% | 25.8% |
| Chalmette | 22,616 | $54,904 | $214,700 | 13.6% | 24.9% |
| Hammond | 21,539 | $48,166 | $221,400 | 27.7% | 28.9% |
| Zachary | 19,952 | $84,480 | $259,100 | 32.6% | 8.5% |
Population Overview
Sulphur is a small city located in Louisiana, within Calcasieu Parish. The total population is 20,775. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sulphur is 38.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sulphur is $61,760. This is 2% higher than the state median of $60,756. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $182,900. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 74.6% 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 Sulphur is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (84.5% vs 55.7%). The Black or African American population (6.0%) is well below the state average of 30.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 87.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sulphur, 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 Sulphur, Louisiana?
Sulphur, Louisiana has a population of 20,775 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sulphur, LA?
The median household income in Sulphur is $61,760, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sulphur, LA?
The poverty rate in Sulphur is 16.0%. This means approximately 3,295 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sulphur, Louisiana?
Sulphur's population is 84.5% White, 6.0% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sulphur, LA?
The median home value in Sulphur is $182,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Sulphur, Louisiana?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Sulphur hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.