Signals
Carbondale
Opelousas
Growth
10 · Bottom 4%
vs30 · Bottom 20%
Climate
73 · Top 26%
vs77 · Top 11%
Physical resilience
38 · Bottom 27%
vs42 · Bottom 31%
Housing affordability
97 · Top 41%
vs93 · Bottom 44%
Access
90 · Top 24%
vs88 · Top 28%
Economic stability
18 · Bottom 8%
vs14 · Bottom 4%
Measured values
| Metric | Carbondale | Opelousas | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,064 | 81,670 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $48,763 | $44,462 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $30,227 | $25,412 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 91/sq mi | 88/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $137,300 | $142,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $782 | $748 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 50.0% | 70.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.3% | 14.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 21.0% | 26.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 2 | 140 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.0 | 1.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -75.0% | -4.1% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 88°F | 92°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 25°F | 44°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.0" | 62.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 20 mi | 26 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.5 min | 29.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 32.4 | 37.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Carbondale
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind.
Opelousas
Elevated or high exposure: drought, hurricane, inland flooding.
Your best match
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Carbondale
54
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Area Score
Opelousas
57
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Carbondale, IL Micro Area · Opelousas, LA Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology