New Orleans, LA

Census Place

Add Comparison

2021 Population

383,974

1.86% 1-year decline

US Senator

Bill Cassidy

Republican Party

US Senator

John Kennedy

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

37.7

1.34% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

23.8%

3.52% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$45,594

5.4% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$255,500

2.2% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

175,759

1.8% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, New Orleans, LA had a population of 384k people with a median age of 37.7 and a median household income of $45,594. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of New Orleans, LA declined from 391,249 to 383,974, a −1.86% decrease and its median household income grew from $43,258 to $45,594, a 5.4% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in New Orleans, LA are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (57.6%), White (Non-Hispanic) (30.6%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.73%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.6%), and White (Hispanic) (2.1%).

None of the households in New Orleans, 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.

97.4% of the residents in New Orleans, LA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in New Orleans, LA are Tulane University of Louisiana (5,096 degrees awarded in 2021), Delgado Community College (3,321 degrees), and University of New Orleans (1,644 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in New Orleans, LA was $255,500, and the homeownership rate was 48%.

Most people in New Orleans, LA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.5 minutes. The average car ownership in New Orleans, LA was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Nicolas Henderson

United States Louisiana Orleans Parish, LA New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Population & Diversity

New Orleans, LA is home to a population of 384k people, from which 97.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 5.39% of New Orleans, LA residents were born outside of the country (20.7k people).

In 2021, there were 1.88 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (221k people) in New Orleans, LA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 117k White (Non-Hispanic) and 10.5k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.4%

2021 Citizenship

97.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.4% of New Orleans, LA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in New Orleans, LA was 97.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in New Orleans, LA

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
221k ± 1.27k
White (Non-Hispanic)
117k ± 460
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
10.5k ± 311

5.55%

Hispanic Population

21.3k people

5.55% of the people in New Orleans, LA are hispanic (21.3k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in New Orleans, LA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Louisiana.

Most Common Origin

Honduras
34,582 ± 4,549 people
Mexico
24,245 ± 3,813 people
Vietnam
18,108 ± 3,297 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Louisiana was Honduras, the natal country of 34,582 Louisiana residents, followed by Mexico with 24,245 and Vietnam with 18,108.

Foreign-Born Population

5.39%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

20.7k people

5.45%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

21.3k people

As of 2021, 5.39% of New Orleans, LA residents (20.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in New Orleans, LA was 5.45%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
5,161 ± 460
Gulf War (2001-)
2,766 ± 424
Gulf War (1990s)
2,407 ± 409

New Orleans, LA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.87 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of New Orleans, LA employs 176k people. The largest industries in New Orleans, LA are Health Care & Social Assistance (25,427 people), Educational Services (22,492 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (21,794 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($111,667), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($68,846), and Finance & Insurance ($65,705).

Males in Louisiana have an average income that is 1.54 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,011. The income inequality in Louisiana (measured using the Gini index) is 0.467, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

176k

2021 Value

± 3,207

−1.8%

1 Year decline

± 2.8%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in New Orleans, LA declined at a rate of −1.8%, from 179k employees to 176k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in New Orleans, LA, are Management Occupations (19,279 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (17,478 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (15,969 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of New Orleans, LA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

176k

2021 Value

± 3,207

−1.8%

1 Year decline

± 2.8%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in New Orleans, LA declined at a rate of −1.8%, from 179k employees to 176k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in New Orleans, LA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (25,427 people), Educational Services (22,492 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (21,794 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of New Orleans, LA, though some of these residents may live in New Orleans, LA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$43,980

Median earning men ± $1,195

$32,646

Median earning women ± $1,079

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($74,497), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($71,696), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($65,879).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($50,839), Manufacturing ($45,382), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($42,765).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Louisiana. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Louisiana to other states, or from other states to Louisiana.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Gasoline
$48B
Coal-n.e.c.
$46.7B
Fuel oils
$46.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Louisiana product (by dollars) was Gasoline with $48B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($46.7B) and Fuel oils ($46.4B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Louisiana products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Louisiana.

$371B

2020 Value in Louisiana

$691B

Projected 2050 Value in Louisiana

86.1% growth

In 2020, total outbound Louisiana trade was $371B. This is expected to increase 86.1% to $691B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Louisiana trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Louisiana to other states, or from other states to Louisiana.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$48.8B
Mississippi
$24.6B
Florida
$8.21B

In 2020, the top outbound Louisiana domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $48.8B, followed by Mississippi with $24.6B and Florida and $8.21B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Louisiana shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Louisiana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (39.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.01%).

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for New Orleans, LA. Showing the available data for Louisiana.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (58.5%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (39.9%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.01%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Louisiana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (39.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.01%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Louisiana for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Louisiana

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Louisiana.

Bill Cassidy

Senator from Louisiana

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

John Kennedy

Senator from Louisiana

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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Louisiana

Louisiana is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Louisiana have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in New Orleans, LA awarded 14,267 degrees. The student population of New Orleans, LA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 18,761 male students and 33,614 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in New Orleans, LA are White (7,098 and 53%), followed by Black or African American (3,176 and 23.7%), Hispanic or Latino (1,220 and 9.11%), and Asian (801 and 5.98%).

The largest universities in New Orleans, LA by number of degrees awarded are Tulane University of Louisiana (5,096 and 35.7%), Delgado Community College (3,321 and 23.3%), and University of New Orleans (1,644 and 11.5%).

The most popular majors in New Orleans, LA are General Studies (1,233 and 8.64%), General Business Administration & Management (646 and 4.53%), and Registered Nursing (581 and 4.07%).

The median tuition costs in New Orleans, LA are $20,411 for private four year colleges, and $6,090 and $13,384 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in New Orleans, LA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 35.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 21.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 52,375 (35.8% men and 64.2% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 52,375 students enrolled in New Orleans, LA, 35.8% men and 64.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 22,610 records, of which 60.5% were women and 39.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
423 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
352 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
454 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in New Orleans, LA was General Psychology with 423 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in New Orleans, LA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Tulane University of Louisiana
5,096 degrees awarded
Delgado Community College
3,321 degrees awarded
University of New Orleans
1,644 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Tulane University of Louisiana with 5,096 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 5,166 men were awarded degrees from institutions in New Orleans, LA, which is 0.568 times less than the 9,101 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 7,098 degrees mean that there were 2.23 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 3,176 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($20,411) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,982) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,300) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.927% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.797% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.2M), Some college (815k), and Secondary Education (622k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in New Orleans, LA was $255,500 in 2021, which is 1.04 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $250,000 to $255,500, a 2.2% increase. The homeownership rate in New Orleans, LA is 48%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in New Orleans, LA have an average commute time of 23.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in New Orleans, LA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in New Orleans, LA is $45,594. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in New Orleans, LA was Census Tract 116 with a value of $194,120, followed by Census Tract 117 and Census Tract 56.02, with respective values of $160,486 and $152,250.

Housing

Property

$255,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$5,537

$75,228

Median Property Taxes

±$1,773

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 New Orleans, LA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

48%

Homeownership

2021

64.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 48% of the housing units in New Orleans, LA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 49.8%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 116
Census Tract 117
Census Tract 56.02

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in New Orleans, LA was Census Tract 116 with a value of $194,120, followed by Census Tract 117 and Census Tract 56.02, with respective values of $160,486 and $152,250.

The following map shows all of the places in New Orleans, LA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$45,594

Median Household Income

± $1,538

157k

Number of Households

± 2,870

In 2021, the median household income of the 157k households in New Orleans, LA grew to $45,594 from the previous year's value of $43,258.

The following chart displays the households in New Orleans, 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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for New Orleans, LA is from Louisiana.

0.467

2021 Wage GINI in Louisiana

0.465

2020 Wage GINI in Louisiana

In 2021, the income inequality in Louisiana was 0.467 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.399% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Louisiana was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (65.6%)
Worked At Home (9.9%)
Carpooled (8.91%)

In 2021, 65.6% of workers in New Orleans, LA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.9%) and those who carpooled to work (8.91%).

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.

Commute Time

23.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in New Orleans, LA have a shorter commute time (23.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.99% of the workforce in New Orleans, LA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in New Orleans, LA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in New Orleans, LA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

23.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in New Orleans, LA (88.7k out of 372k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in New Orleans, LA is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

91.2% of the population of New Orleans, LA has health coverage, with 38% on employee plans, 29.6% on Medicaid, 10.2% on Medicare, 11.9% on non-group plans, and 1.47% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Orleans Parish, LA see 942 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.38% decrease from the previous year (975 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1316 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 165 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Orleans Parish, LA.

942 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Orleans Parish, LA

Primary care physicians in Orleans Parish, LA see an average of 942 patients per year. This represents a 3.38% decrease from the previous year (975 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Orleans Parish, LA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.3% under 18 years, 24.3% between 18 and 34 years, 39.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46% were men and 54% were women.

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

Uninsured People

8.85%

Uninsured

38%

Employer Coverage

29.6%

Medicaid

10.2%

Medicare

11.9%

Non-Group

1.47%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in New Orleans, LA declined by 3.82% from 9.2% to 8.85%.

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