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CITY · 2020 ACS

Opelousas

Louisiana · 15,786 residents · 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 $32,666. Population has fallen 31% since 2000, a loss of 7,074 residents. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $123,100. The poverty rate of 35.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 36% less than the Louisiana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 62%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,786
−31%since 2000
from 22,860 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,632 / sq mi
−31%since 2000
from 2,364 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.4
+8%since 2000
from 33.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K17K19K21K24K1990201020202024Opelousas
202415K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,666
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $14,717 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,497
+96%since 2000
from $9,957 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
21.3%
+11.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
35.9%
−7.2 ptssince 2000
from 43.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade6.4%
US avg: 10%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.7%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$123,100
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$597
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $292 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
46.0%
−7.3 ptssince 2000
from 53.3% in 2000
54.0% rent
Afford Score
3.8
+10%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic17.7%(2,799)
Black77.2%(12,183)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(257)
Asian0.7%(116)
Other1.7%(265)
Diversity Score44.9%(7,083)
Diversity Score
45
−17%since 2000
from 54 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.1%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
73.0%
+15.8 ptssince 2000
from 57.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.1%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+45%since 2000
from 15.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.4%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 79.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
17.7%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 24.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.4%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 11.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
46.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2011
from 44.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.4%
−32.4 ptssince 2009
from 62.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
Female
54.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.9%
−73.3 ptssince 2013
from 81.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Opelousas to nearby cities

OPELOUSAS VS
Carencro
Income$63,401+94%
Home value$214,800+74%
Population13,224−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OPELOUSAS VS
Scott
Income$56,299+72%
Home value$170,300+38%
Population9,635−36%
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OPELOUSAS VS
Eunice
Income$35,436+8%
Home value$122,000−1%
Population9,035−40%
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OPELOUSAS VS
Lafayette
Income$61,915+90%
Home value$257,000+109%
Population123,311+717%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Opelousas, Louisiana?

Opelousas, Louisiana has about 15,786 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Opelousas, Louisiana?

The typical household in Opelousas, Louisiana earns about $32,666 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 $123,100, and the typical rent is about $597 a month.

How educated are people in Opelousas, Louisiana?

About 17.1% 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 35.9% 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 2,365 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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

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