City · Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, city, in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. Baton Rouge had 222,795 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 227,470 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 222,771 (±54). GEOID 2205000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
222,795
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 227,470 · ACS 2020-2024: 222,771 ±54
Median household income
$49,994
±$2,546 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $60,756
Median home value
$234,700
±$6,832 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $216,500
Median gross rent
$1,067
±$21 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $1,064
Where is Baton Rouge and what county is it in?
Baton Rouge is a city in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. It covers 86.9 square miles of land, 2,616 residents per square mile in 2020.
Baton Rouge is in the Baton Rouge, LA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 10 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Baton Rouge, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 222,795 people lived in Baton Rouge on July 1, 2025, down 1.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than Louisiana's (−0.9%). The 2020 Census counted 227,470 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 222,771 (±54).
| Measure | Baton Rouge | East Baton Rouge Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 222,771 ±54 | 452,938 | −1,378 |
| Households | 88,205 ±1,603 | 177,295 | +4,472 |
| Average household size | 2.37 ±0.04 | 2.47 | −0.21 |
| Housing units | 106,712 ±1,281 | 206,591 | +4,912 |
Baton Rouge's population since 2000
From 227,818 in 2000 to 222,795 in 2025: down 2.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Baton Rouge as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Baton Rouge?
The median resident of Baton Rouge is 31.5 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 14.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 50.4%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 34.8%. 7.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Baton Rouge | East Baton Rouge Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.5 ±0.8 | 34.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.0% ±0.7 pts | 22.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.2% ±0.6 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Male | 47.4% ±0.8 pts | 47.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.2% ±0.6 pts | 6.9% | +2.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 34.8% ±1.1 pts | 41.6% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 50.4% ±1.4 pts | 43.6% | −4.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.0% ±0.4 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0% ±0.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.6% ±0.8 pts | 7.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.8% ±1.0 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.8% ±0.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
| With a disability | 16.1% ±0.9 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.1% ±1.3 pts | 8.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.6% ±1.0 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.6% ±1.2 pts | 38.5% | +3.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.5% ±0.9 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 79.5% ±1.4 pts | 84.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.2% ±0.6 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Baton Rouge earn?
Half of Baton Rouge's 88,205 households earn less than $49,994 a year (±$2,546), against $63,071 in East Baton Rouge Parish and $60,756 in Louisiana. In 2015-2019 the median was $54,729 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $4,735 after inflation. 25.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Baton Rouge | East Baton Rouge Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,994 ±$2,546 | $63,071 | −$4,735 |
| Mean household income | $84,352 ±$4,257 | $95,663 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,731 ±$1,769 | $38,736 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 25.7% ±1.7 pts | 19.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 32.4% ±4.3 pts | 24.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.4% ±1.2 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.5% ±0.6 pts | 95.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.3% ±1.1 pts | 91.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Baton Rouge?
Owners occupy 47.8% of Baton Rouge's occupied homes and renters 52.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $234,700 by its owner (±$6,832). The median renter pays $1,067 a month including utilities, and 50.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Baton Rouge | East Baton Rouge Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $234,700 ±$6,832 | $248,800 | +$20,559 |
| Median gross rent | $1,067 ±$21 | $1,147 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 50.6% ±3.2 pts | 48.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,668 ±$48 | $1,703 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 47.8% ±1.5 pts | 59.3% | −2.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 52.2% ±1.5 pts | 40.7% | – |
| Housing units | 106,712 ±1,281 | 206,591 | +4,912 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5% ±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 11.2% ±1.2 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 54.7% ±1.3 pts | 61.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.7% ±0.2 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0% ±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.1% ±0.9 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.5% ±0.7 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.0% ±1.3 pts | 8.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Baton Rouge building?
Builders took permits for 1,700 new housing units in Baton Rouge in 2025 (489 in single-family houses), 7.6 per 1,000 residents against 3.1 across Louisiana.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Baton Rouge work and get to work?
74.1% of Baton Rouge's workers drive alone and 8.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.2%.
| Measure | Baton Rouge | East Baton Rouge Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.6% ±1.2 pts | 63.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.2% ±1.0 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.1% ±1.6 pts | 77.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.0% ±1.1 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.4% ±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 3.3% ±0.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.2% ±0.7 pts | 8.6% | +5.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.0 min ±0.5 | 23.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Baton Rouge?
65 census tracts lie mostly in Baton Rouge, and 18 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $19,611 (Tract 5) to $173,720 (Tract 40.25).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 37.03East Baton Rouge Parish | 7,982 | $102,719 |
| Tract 36.04East Baton Rouge Parish | 6,729 | $38,750 |
| Tract 39.07East Baton Rouge Parish | 6,560 | $64,769 |
| Tract 2East Baton Rouge Parish | 6,279 | $20,759 |
| Tract 37.01East Baton Rouge Parish | 6,190 | $64,602 |
| Tract 35.06East Baton Rouge Parish | 5,895 | $47,500 |
| Tract 31.04East Baton Rouge Parish | 5,583 | $24,657 |
| Tract 28.02East Baton Rouge Parish | 5,507 | $28,488 |
| Tract 26.02East Baton Rouge Parish | 5,182 | $57,543 |
| Tract 40.24East Baton Rouge Parish | 5,250 | $45,992 |
| Tract 34East Baton Rouge Parish | 6,235 | $33,375 |
| Tract 28.01East Baton Rouge Parish | 4,840 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Baton Rouge) · Census block assignment files
How does Baton Rouge compare with other places in Louisiana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Baton Rouge is the 107th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 2nd-most populous of 304 in Louisiana.
Baton Rouge ranks 150th of 251 places in Louisiana with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 2nd | 304 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 60th | 156 |
| Residents per square mile | 21st | 263 |
| Median household income | 150th | 251 |
| Per capita income | 78th | 263 |
| Median home value | 56th | 247 |
| Median gross rent | 80th | 229 |
| Poverty rate | 82nd | 216 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27th | 229 |
| Median age | 227th | 262 |
| Owner-occupied share | 232nd | 260 |
| Work from home | 45th | 87 |
| Travel time to work | 202nd | 260 |
Baton Rouge's figures with every place in Louisiana (CSV)
Every place in Louisiana, sortable · Compare Baton Rouge with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Baton Rouge?
2 of the 57 figures for Baton Rouge on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Baton Rouge are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Baton Rouge.