Tensas Parish, Louisiana Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Tensas Parish is located in Louisiana with a total population of 3,992. It is the 64th most populous county out of 64 in Louisiana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Tensas Parish is 47.4 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 37.8 years. 10.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Tensas Parish is $36,074. This is 40% lower than the state median of $60,023. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 54% lower. The poverty rate stands at 32.8%. This is 74% 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 13.3%. This is 111% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $80,300. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $208,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Tensas Parish is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Tensas Parish is Black or African American, making up 53.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (53.3% vs 30.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.

Education

13.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 26.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.9%.