Louisiana Area Profiles
3 published city profiles across Louisiana, each built from the same authoritative sources and compared on the same terms.
Statewide signals
Opportunity43rd of 51 states36
Growth43rd of 51 states36
Housing affordabilityTop 50% of 51 states87
ClimateTop 10% of 51 states77
Physical resilience44th of 51 states37
AccessTop 40% of 51 states79
Economic stability49th of 51 states9
Cities
| City | Population | Opportunity | Growth | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 371,853 | 45 | 28 | 50 |
| Baton Rouge | 222,771 | 53 | 55 | 57 |
| Shreveport | 180,982 | 42 | 39 | 60 |
Strongest opportunity
- Baton Rouge 53
- New Orleans 45
- Shreveport 42
Fastest development
- Baton Rouge 55
- Shreveport 39
- New Orleans 28
Statewide physical risk
HurricaneElevated
LightningModerate
Inland floodingModerate
DroughtModerate
Low or minimal exposure: heat wave, cold wave, tornado, ice storm, hail, earthquake, strong wind, winter weather, coastal flooding, wildfire, landslide.
Population-weighted across every county in Louisiana, derived from the FEMA National Risk Index. Exposure varies substantially within a state — check the individual city and ZIP profiles.
Statewide data
| Metric | Value | Compared with peers | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average household size ±0.01 | 2.49 | Top 33% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Households ±5,143 | 1,804,780 | Top 49% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age ±0.1 | 38.0 | Bottom 24% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population | 4,611,961 | Top 47% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 107/sq mi | Bottom 47% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Home price to income | 3.56 | Bottom 35% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 67.4% | Top 49% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units ±333 | 2,108,902 | Top 47% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent ±$8 | $1,064 | Bottom 29% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value ±$1,367 | $216,500 | Bottom 18% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Rent as a share of income | 21.0% | Top 25% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Vacancy rate | 14.4% | Top 16% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income ±$408 | $60,756 | Bottom 6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income ±$248 | $35,038 | Bottom 8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 18.9% | Top 2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average commute | 27.1 min | Top 47% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.0% | Bottom 6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Employment | 2,013,777 | Bottom 48% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (3 years) | 0.2% | Bottom 48% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 0.5% | Top 22% | July 2026 |
| Labor force | 2,104,994 | Bottom 48% | July 2026 |
| Labor force participation | 59.3% | Bottom 12% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment change (year over year) | -0.3% | Bottom 40% | July 2026 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | Top 38% | July 2026 |