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CITY

Opelousas

Louisiana · 15,098 residents (2025 est.) · 9.672 sq mi
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The short version

Opelousas has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $32,964. Population has fallen 32% since 2000, a loss of 7,365 residents. 11% 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 $105,100. The poverty rate of 37.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 46% less than the Louisiana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,495
−32%since 2000
from 22,860 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,602 / sq mi
−32%since 2000
from 2,364 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.1
+10%since 2000
from 33.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:15,098 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
15K17K19K21K24K1990201020202024Opelousas
202415K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,964
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $14,717 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,531
+106%since 2000
from $9,957 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
17.5%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
37.4%
−5.7 ptssince 2000
from 43.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.504
+1%since 2010
from 0.499 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information18.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade9.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance8.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade8%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$105,100
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$717
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $292 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
52.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 53.3% in 2000
47.2% rent
Vacancy rate
16.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.5%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 29.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.3%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
−7%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
35
RELATED:See current rent listings in Opelousas on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic29.1%(6,642)
Black68.8%(15,729)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(202)
Asian0.3%(72)
Other0%
Diversity Score53.9%(12,328)
2024
White, non-Hispanic16.3%(2,530)
Black76.5%(11,847)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(443)
Asian0%(4)
Other4.3%(671)
Diversity Score48.3%(7,478)
Diversity Score
48
−11%since 2000
from 54 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.6%
+23.4 ptssince 2000
from 57.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.3 min
+60%since 2000
from 15.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.0%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 79.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.1%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
22.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 24.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2011
from 11.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
49.2%
+4.7 ptssince 2011
from 44.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.6%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
23.6%
−39.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
Female
54.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.6%
−38.6 ptssince 2009
from 42.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.1%
+3.8 ptssince 2012
from 14.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.1%
−74.1 ptssince 2013
from 81.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
67.4%
+16.8 ptssince 2017
from 50.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2016
from 94.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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OPELOUSAS VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Opelousas, Louisiana?

Opelousas, Louisiana has about 15,495 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Opelousas, Louisiana?

The typical household in Opelousas, Louisiana earns about $32,964 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Opelousas, Louisiana expensive?

In Opelousas, Louisiana, the median home is worth about $105,100, and the typical rent is about $717 a month.

How educated are people in Opelousas, Louisiana?

About 10.7% of adults age 25 and over in Opelousas, Louisiana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Opelousas, Louisiana?

About 37.4% of people in Opelousas, Louisiana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Opelousas, Louisiana grown since 1990?

Yes, Opelousas, Louisiana has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,656 residents, a change of about -15 percent over that period.

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

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