City · Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, city, in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. New Orleans had 362,154 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 383,997 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 371,853 (controlled total). GEOID 2255000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
362,154
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 383,997 · ACS 2020-2024: 371,853
Median household income
$56,631
±$1,781 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $60,756
Median home value
$315,700
±$7,417 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $216,500
Median gross rent
$1,251
±$22 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $1,064
Where is New Orleans and what county is it in?
New Orleans is a city in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. It covers 169.5 square miles of land, 2,265 residents per square mile in 2020.
New Orleans is in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
New Orleans covers the same area as Orleans Parish: the city and the county are one area, so the county's figures are New Orleans's; the county page lists its census tracts.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in New Orleans, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 362,154 people lived in New Orleans on July 1, 2025, down 5.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than Louisiana's (−0.9%). The 2020 Census counted 383,997 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 371,853.
| Measure | New Orleans | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 371,853 | 4,611,961 | −18,992 |
| Households | 155,821 ±1,188 | 1,804,780 | +2,002 |
| Average household size | 2.29 ±0.02 | 2.49 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 195,552 ±155 | 2,108,902 | +3,744 |
New Orleans's population since 2000
From 484,674 in 2000 to 362,154 in 2025: down 25.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for New Orleans 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 New Orleans?
The median resident of New Orleans is 38.8 years old; 19.7% are under 18 and 17.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 53.9%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 30.1%. 6.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | New Orleans | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.8 ±0.2 | 38.0 | +2.0 |
| Under 18 years | 19.7% ±0.1 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.2% ±0.1 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Male | 47.1% ±0.1 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.2% | 7.2% | +2.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 30.1% ±0.1 pts | 55.7% | −0.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 53.9% ±0.4 pts | 30.5% | −5.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.8% ±0.1 pts | 1.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0% ±0.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.6% ±0.3 pts | 4.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.2% ±0.4 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.7% ±0.3 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 14.4% ±0.5 pts | 16.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.1% ±0.5 pts | 7.8% | −1.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.6% ±0.5 pts | 87.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 42.4% ±0.9 pts | 27.0% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.7% ±0.6 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.2% ±0.7 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6% ±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
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 New Orleans earn?
Half of New Orleans's 155,821 households earn less than $56,631 a year (±$1,781), against $56,631 in Orleans Parish and $60,756 in Louisiana. In 2015-2019 the median was $51,202 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,429 after inflation. 22.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | New Orleans | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,631 ±$1,781 | $60,756 | +$5,429 |
| Mean household income | $91,690 ±$1,846 | $87,038 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,662 ±$782 | $35,038 | +$2,037 |
| People below the poverty line | 22.6% ±0.9 pts | 18.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 32.5% ±2.5 pts | 25.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.5% ±0.8 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.8% ±0.5 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.5% ±0.8 pts | 86.6% | – |
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 New Orleans?
Owners occupy 51.2% of New Orleans's occupied homes and renters 48.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $315,700 by its owner (±$7,417). The median renter pays $1,251 a month including utilities, and 51.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | New Orleans | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $315,700 ±$7,417 | $216,500 | +$30,794 |
| Median gross rent | $1,251 ±$22 | $1,064 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 51.0% ±1.7 pts | 46.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,211 ±$40 | $1,604 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 51.2% ±0.9 pts | 67.4% | +2.9 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 48.8% ±0.9 pts | 32.6% | – |
| Housing units | 195,552 ±155 | 2,108,902 | +3,744 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6% ±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.9% ±0.7 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 46.0% ±0.9 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.5% ±0.1 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7% ±0.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.4% ±0.4 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 31.4% ±0.7 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 17.4% ±0.8 pts | 8.4% | – |
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 New Orleans building?
Builders took permits for 882 new housing units in New Orleans in 2025 (210 in single-family houses), 2.4 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 New Orleans work and get to work?
62.1% of New Orleans's workers drive alone and 14.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.5%.
| Measure | New Orleans | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.7% ±0.7 pts | 59.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.5% ±0.6 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 62.1% ±1.0 pts | 78.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.6% ±0.7 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 4.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 5.7% ±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.9% ±0.7 pts | 8.1% | +9.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.6 min ±0.4 | 25.7 min | −1.6 min |
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 New Orleans?
184 census tracts lie mostly in New Orleans (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $11,473 (Tract 17.51) to $222,917 (Tract 116).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 121.02Orleans Parish | 5,582 | not published |
| Tract 17.23Orleans Parish | 5,433 | $59,190 |
| Tract 17.40Orleans Parish | 5,317 | $55,000 |
| Tract 17.46Orleans Parish | 4,975 | $28,265 |
| Tract 17.47Orleans Parish | 4,943 | $107,614 |
| Tract 17.48Orleans Parish | 4,669 | $59,048 |
| Tract 17.45Orleans Parish | 4,650 | $52,438 |
| Tract 6.16Orleans Parish | 4,561 | $86,156 |
| Tract 6.18Orleans Parish | 4,203 | $118,375 |
| Tract 56.02Orleans Parish | 3,952 | $155,152 |
| Tract 17.50Orleans Parish | 3,825 | not published |
| Tract 17.44Orleans Parish | 3,820 | $31,888 |
Every census tract in New Orleans: the tract table of Orleans Parish
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 New Orleans) · Census block assignment files
How does New Orleans compare with other places in Louisiana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, New Orleans is the 54th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the most populous of 304 in Louisiana.
New Orleans ranks 124th 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 | 1st | 304 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 118th | 156 |
| Residents per square mile | 33rd | 263 |
| Median household income | 124th | 251 |
| Per capita income | 44th | 263 |
| Median home value | 16th | 247 |
| Median gross rent | 46th | 229 |
| Poverty rate | 107th | 216 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13th | 229 |
| Median age | 113th | 262 |
| Owner-occupied share | 219th | 260 |
| Work from home | 11th | 87 |
| Travel time to work | 172nd | 260 |
New Orleans's figures with every place in Louisiana (CSV)
Every place in Louisiana, sortable · Compare New Orleans 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 New Orleans?
2 of the 57 figures for New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans.