City profile · Louisiana · Census ACS 2023

Jena, LA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Jena - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

4,139
Residents
$85,955
Median income
$157,900
Median home
$851
Median rent (state)

Jena - the verdict

Nationally, Jena sits in the 67th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

67th
percentile, household income
29th
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Jena, LA

Louisiana's Jena is a small town, with 4,139 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $85,955 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.2%. Jena's housing stock carries a median value of $157,900, and the median resident age is 39.7 years. 33.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 3 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 40% from five years earlier. NOAA puts Jena's yearly average temperature at 65.0°F with 59.5 inches of precipitation per year and 0.5 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Louisiana run below the national norm: the state registers 88.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $851 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Louisiana, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Jena workers runs 40.2 minutes, with 71.1% driving alone and 4.6% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 12.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

4,139 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Louisiana

Median Household Income

$85,955 /yr

Poverty 5.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Louisiana average

How does Jena compare to other US cities?

Jena measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 67% higher than other cities
Home value 29% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Jena's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Louisiana, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

67thIncome percentile

67th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Jena's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$157,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 71% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Jena $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Jena, LA Jena, LA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Jena, LA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Jena, LA median $85,955/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Jena, LA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Jena, LA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
4,139
Median Income
$85,955
Median Home Value
$157,900
Median Age
39.7
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Labor force participation
57.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.7%

Climate

Avg Temperature
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
59.5"
Annual Snowfall
0.5"

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,150 residents4,200 residents4,250 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,162 residents 4,229 residents ▲ +1.6%
Jena's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 4
2021 1
2022 1
2023 2
2024 3

Permit volume decreased 40% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
40.2 minutes
Drive Alone
71.1%
Carpool
13.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
4.6%
Other
10.8%

Based on 1,999 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Louisiana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$40
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Louisiana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Louisiana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Jena sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$851/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
12.2 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Louisiana

Church Point
4,133 people
Jonesboro
4,092 people
Eastwood
4,057 people
Winnfield
4,042 people
Amite City
4,036 people
Kaplan
4,271 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Jena's 4,139 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Thorndale, PA
4,139 people
Saxon, SC
4,139 people
Akwesasne, NY
4,140 people
Lyncourt, NY
4,138 people
Gibson, AR
4,141 people
Wonder Lake, IL
4,141 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Jena's $85,955 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Reamstown, PA
$85,952 median income
Reinbeck, IA
$85,962 median income
Brooklyn Park, MN
$85,964 median income
Gearhart, OR
$85,966 median income
Holcomb, KS
$85,938 median income
New London, NH
$85,938 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Jena, LA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Jena, LA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 81.7% 8.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 20.3% White 81.7% Black or African American 8.0% Asian 4.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.0% Two or more races 4.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Jena compares to nearby Louisiana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Jena (this city) 4,139 $85,955
Church Point 4,133 $44,000
Jonesboro 4,092 $36,458
Eastwood 4,057 $80,000
Census ACS 5-year FIPS LA NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Jena, LA?

What is the population of Jena, LA? +

Jena, LA has a population of 4,139 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Jena, LA? +

Jena households earn a median of $85,955 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Jena? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Jena; the closest available measure is the Louisiana state average, a cost of living index of 88.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Louisiana vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Jena, LA? +

A typical home in Jena is worth $157,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Jena? +

The average annual temperature in Jena runs 65.0°F, 59.5 inches of precipitation, and 0.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.