Opelousas, LA

Census Place

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2024 Population
15,495
US Senator
Bill Cassidy
Republican Party
US Senator
John Kennedy
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
37.1
8.16% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
37.4%
10% 1-year increase
2024 Median Household Income
$32,964
9.09% 1-year decline
2024 Median Property Value
$105,100
6.99% 1-year decline
2024 Employed Population
5,165
1.37% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Opelousas, LA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.2% of the residents in Opelousas, LA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Opelousas, LA are Opelousas School of Cosmetology (22 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Opelousas, LA was $105,100, and the homeownership rate was 52.8%.

Most people in Opelousas, LA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Opelousas, LA was 1 car per household.

United StatesLouisianaSt. Landry Parish, LAOpelousas, LAAcadiana Regional Development District 1--St. Landry & Evangeline Parishes PUMA, LA

Population & Diversity

Opelousas, LA is home to a population of 15.5k people, from which 99.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 0.82% of Opelousas, LA residents were born outside of the country (127 people).

In 2024, there were 4.68 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.8k people) in Opelousas, LA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.53k White (Non-Hispanic) and 367 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.2%
2024 Citizenship
99.5%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.2% of Opelousas, LA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Opelousas, LA was 99.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Opelousas, LA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Opelousas, LA
  1. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    11.8k ± 583
  2. White (Non-Hispanic)
    2.53k ± 480
  3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
    367 ± 246
2.86%
Hispanic Population
443 people

In 2024, there were 4.68 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.8k people) in Opelousas, LA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.53k White (Non-Hispanic) and 367 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

2.86% of the people in Opelousas, LA are hispanic (443 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Opelousas, LA as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Louisiana.
Most Common Origin
  1. Honduras
    46,145 ± 5,248 people
  2. Mexico
    26,336 ± 3,973 people
  3. Vietnam
    16,621 ± 3,160 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Louisiana was Honduras, the natal country of 46,145 Louisiana residents, followed by Mexico with 26,336 and Vietnam with 16,621.

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Foreign-Born Population

0.82%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
127 people
0.638%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
100 people

As of 2024, 0.82% of Opelousas, LA residents (127 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Opelousas, LA was 0.638%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Opelousas, LA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Gulf War (2001-)
    148 ± 80
  2. Vietnam
    100 ± 74
  3. Korea
    43 ± 46

Opelousas, LA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.48 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Opelousas, LA.

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Economy

The economy of Opelousas, LA employs 5.17k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Opelousas, LA were Health Care & Social Assistance (1,023 people), Retail Trade (968 people), and Manufacturing (495 people), and the highest paying industries were Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($88,259), Manufacturing ($62,666), and Public Administration ($52,784).

Employment

Occupations

5.17k
2024 Value
± 608
1.37%
1 Year growth
± 16.7%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Opelousas, LA grew at a rate of 1.37%, from 5.1k employees to 5.17k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Opelousas, LA, are Sales & Related Occupations (558 people), Production Occupations (545 people), and Material Moving Occupations (486 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Opelousas, LA.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Louisiana.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Louisiana (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

5.17k
2024 Value
± 608
1.37%
1 Year growth
± 16.7%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Opelousas, LA grew at a rate of 1.37%, from 5.1k employees to 5.17k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Opelousas, LA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,023 people), Retail Trade (968 people), and Manufacturing (495 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Opelousas, LA, though some of these residents may live in Opelousas, LA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$37,259
Median earning men ± $3,864
$33,833
Median earning women ± $4,669

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($112,778), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($88,259), and Manufacturing ($63,147).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($52,614), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($51,713), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($43,611).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Louisiana.
Y-Axis
1.78%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.94M people employed in Louisiana. This represents a 1.78% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14.4%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Louisiana.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Louisiana went to Donald J. Trump with 60.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.2%), followed by Other (0.547%).

Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are the senators currently representing the state of Louisiana. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Louisiana is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Opelousas, LA. Showing the available data for Louisiana.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (60.2%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (38.2%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Other (0.547%)
    Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Louisiana went to Donald J. Trump with 60.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.2%), followed by Other (0.547%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Louisiana for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Louisiana

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Louisiana.
Bill Cassidy
Senator from Louisiana2
Assumed office on January 3, 2015
John Kennedy
Senator from Louisiana3
Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are the senators currently representing Louisiana.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Louisiana over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Opelousas, LA awarded 22 degrees. The student population of Opelousas, LA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 0 male students and 10 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Opelousas, LA are Black or African American (12 and 54.5%) and White (10 and 45.5%).

The largest universities in Opelousas, LA by number of degrees awarded are Opelousas School of Cosmetology (22 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Opelousas, LA are General Cosmetology (20 and 90.9%) and Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor (2 and 9.09%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 10 students enrolled in Opelousas, LA, 0% men and 100% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 5 records, of which 100% were women and 0% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

General Cosmetology
Most Common
20 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Opelousas, LA was General Cosmetology with 20 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Opelousas, LA according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Opelousas School of Cosmetology
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
22 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Opelousas School of Cosmetology with 22 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 1 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Opelousas, LA, which is 0.0476 times less than the 21 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Black or African American students. These 12 degrees mean that there were 1.2 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 10 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Opelousas, LA was $105,100 in 2024, which is 0.316 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $113,000 to $105,100, a 6.99% decrease. The homeownership rate in Opelousas, LA is 52.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Opelousas, LA have an average commute time of 24.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Opelousas, LA is lower than the national average, with an average of 1 car per household.

Housing

Property

$105,100
Median Property Value 2024
±$11,100
$3,313
Median Property Taxes
±$391

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Opelousas, LA the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Opelousas, LA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

52.8%
Homeownership
2024
71.7%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 52.8% of the housing units in Opelousas, LA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 50.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Opelousas, LA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$32,964
Median Household Income
± $4,837
6.28k
Number of Households
± 599

In 2024, the median household income of the 6.28k households in Opelousas, LA declined from $32,964 from the previous year's value of $36,260.

The following chart displays the households in Opelousas, LA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Opelousas, LA is from Louisiana.
0.465
2023 Wage GINI in Louisiana
0.466
2022 Wage GINI in Louisiana

In 2023, the income inequality in Louisiana was 0.465 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.123% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Louisiana was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Louisiana in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Louisiana across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (84%)
  2. Carpooled (7.14%)
  3. Worked At Home (4.95%)

In 2024, 84% of workers in Opelousas, LA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.14%) and those who worked at home (4.95%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

24.3 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Opelousas, LA have a shorter commute time (24.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.47% of the workforce in Opelousas, LA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Opelousas, LA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

1 car
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Opelousas, LA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Opelousas, LA have 1 car.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

37.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Opelousas, LA (5.65k out of 15.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Opelousas, LA is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

92.9% of the population of Opelousas, LA has health coverage, with 26.3% on employee plans, 44.6% on Medicaid, 10.8% on Medicare, 10.5% on non-group plans, and 0.714% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Louisiana see 1,441 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,441 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1692 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 283 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45% were men and 55% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.5% under 18 years, 21.4% between 18 and 34 years, 35.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45% were men and 55% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

7.12%
Uninsured
26.3%
Employer Coverage
44.6%
Medicaid
10.8%
Medicare
10.5%
Non-Group
0.714%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Opelousas, LA grew by 13.2% from 6.29% to 7.12%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Opelousas, LA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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