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CITY

Jena

Louisiana · 4,229 residents (2025 est.) · 5.498 sq mi
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The short version

Jena has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $71,730. Population has grown 40% since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $139,700. At a median age of 34.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,160
+40%since 2000
from 2,971 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
757 / sq mi
+40%since 2000
from 540 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
34.7
−10%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,229 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K4K4K1990201020202024Jena
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,730
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,938 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,460
+165%since 2000
from $13,761 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
47.5%
+25.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.3%
−3.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.360
−24%since 2010
from 0.477 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing11.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing10.9%
US avg: 0.4%
Retail trade10.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance6.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services2.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$139,700
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$906
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $336 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
81.3%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 77.5% in 2000
18.7% rent
Vacancy rate
13.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.5%
−12.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
9.2%
−16.4 ptssince 2009
from 25.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+1%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in Jena on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic84.9%(2,523)
Black12%(357)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(36)
Asian0.5%(14)
Other0%
Diversity Score30.4%(904)
2024
White, non-Hispanic79.2%(3,294)
Black11.9%(496)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(69)
Asian3.4%(142)
Other3.8%(159)
Diversity Score44.5%(1,851)
Diversity Score
44
+46%since 2000
from 30 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.8%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 17.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.7%
+18.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.9%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
36.4 min
+109%since 2000
from 17.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.7%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 84.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.7%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.1%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2011
from 0.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.5%
+15.2 ptssince 2011
from 51.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.8%
−9.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.5%
−31.3 ptssince 2009
from 61.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.3%
+11.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.1% in 2009
Female
44.7%
−11.2 ptssince 2009
from 55.9% in 2009
Foreign born
1.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
1.2%
−42.4 ptssince 2009
from 43.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.2%
−3.5 ptssince 2012
from 16.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.6%
−77.8 ptssince 2013
from 82.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.8%
+37.9 ptssince 2017
from 57.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.0%
−2.4 ptssince 2016
from 96.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 3.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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JENA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Jena, Louisiana?

Jena, Louisiana has about 4,160 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Jena, Louisiana?

The typical household in Jena, Louisiana earns about $71,730 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Jena, Louisiana expensive?

In Jena, Louisiana, the median home is worth about $139,700, and the typical rent is about $906 a month.

How educated are people in Jena, Louisiana?

About 21.8% of adults age 25 and over in Jena, Louisiana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Jena, Louisiana?

About 11.3% of people in Jena, Louisiana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Jena, Louisiana grown since 1990?

Yes, Jena, Louisiana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,427 residents, a change of about 52 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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