Town · Louisiana
Oberlin, Louisiana
Oberlin, town, in Allen Parish, Louisiana. Oberlin had 1,286 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.2% from the Bureau's April 2020 estimates base of 1,329; the 2020 Census counted 1,402 on the place as it was defined then and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,809 (±449). GEOID 2257450.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,286
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,402 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,809 ±449
Median household income
$31,738
±$7,783 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $60,756
Median home value
$96,000
±$17,619 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $216,500
Median gross rent
$448
±$340 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $1,064
Where is Oberlin and what county is it in?
Oberlin is a town in Allen Parish, Louisiana. It covers 4.4 square miles of land, 320 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Oberlin, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,286 people lived in Oberlin on July 1, 2025, down 3.2% since 2020, a steeper fall than Louisiana's (−0.9%). The Census Bureau's yearly estimates start from its own April 2020 base for Oberlin, 1,329, which differs from the 2020 Census count of 1,402: the estimates follow the place as the estimates program defines it today (its present boundaries, and for a consolidated city-county the area the program assigns it), so the change since 2020 is measured from that base. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,809 (±449).
| Measure | Oberlin | Allen Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,809 ±449 | 22,477 | no clear change |
| Households | 719 ±172 | 7,854 | +223 |
| Average household size | 2.32 ±0.43 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 877 ±183 | 9,587 | +233 |
Oberlin's population since 2000
From 1,853 in 2000 to 1,286 in 2025: down 30.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Oberlin 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 Oberlin?
The median resident of Oberlin is 38.0 years old; 25.9% are under 18 and 19.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 48.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 44.4%.
| Measure | Oberlin | Allen Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0 ±9.7 | 37.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.9% ±8.6 pts | 23.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.9% ±7.2 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Male | 53.6% ±6.3 pts | 56.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.3% ±3.2 pts | 6.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 48.9% ±12.5 pts | 64.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 44.4% ±12.4 pts | 20.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±2.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±1.2 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.8% ±3.2 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.7% ±6.6 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2% ±4.2 pts | 5.5% | – |
| With a disability | 20.3% ±8.3 pts | 17.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.4% ±1.6 pts | 7.2% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.3% ±6.7 pts | 80.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 8.8% ±4.9 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 1.8% ±2.3 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.8% ±9.5 pts | 84.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0% ±2.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
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 Oberlin earn?
Half of Oberlin's 719 households earn less than $31,738 a year (±$7,783), against $46,469 in Allen Parish and $60,756 in Louisiana. In 2015-2019 it was $41,536 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Oberlin | Allen Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $31,738 ±$7,783 | $46,469 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $52,092 ±$11,918 | $62,329 | – |
| Per capita income | $21,036 ±$3,456 | $23,398 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.1% ±8.9 pts | 23.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.7% ±17.2 pts | 30.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 27.0% ±10.5 pts | 26.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.9% ±3.0 pts | 94.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.0% ±9.2 pts | 81.0% | – |
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 Oberlin?
Owners occupy 56.1% of Oberlin's occupied homes and renters 43.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $96,000 by its owner (±$17,619).
| Measure | Oberlin | Allen Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $96,000 ±$17,619 | $104,500 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $448 ±$340 | $775 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.5% ±27.5 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,328 ±$226 | $1,192 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.1% ±12.0 pts | 74.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 43.9% ±12.0 pts | 26.0% | – |
| Housing units | 877 ±183 | 9,587 | +233 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±10.6 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±13.2 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 55.3% ±11.5 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.6% ±7.0 pts | 21.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±5.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 14.7% ±10.0 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 18.5% ±10.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
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 Oberlin building?
Builders took permits for 5 new housing units in Oberlin in 2025 (5 in single-family houses), 3.9 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 Oberlin work and get to work?
98.0% of Oberlin's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 19.3 minutes.
| Measure | Oberlin | Allen Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 42.4% ±7.8 pts | 47.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% ±4.3 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 98.0% ±3.1 pts | 82.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 2.0% ±3.1 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±7.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±7.4 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 0.0% ±7.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.3 min ±5.3 | 26.2 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 Oberlin?
No census tract lies mostly in Oberlin; 3 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9504Allen Parish | 4,349 | $52,910 |
| Tract 9505.02Allen Parish | 4,051 | $48,780 |
| Tract 9505.01Allen Parish | 2,856 | $47,007 |
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 Oberlin) · Census block assignment files
How does Oberlin compare with other places in Louisiana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Oberlin is the 9,344th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 141st-most populous of 304 in Louisiana.
Oberlin ranks 219th 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 | 141st | 304 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 81st | 156 |
| Residents per square mile | 237th | 263 |
| Median household income | 219th | 251 |
| Per capita income | 220th | 263 |
| Median home value | 212th | 247 |
| Poverty rate | 110th | 216 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 207th | 229 |
| Median age | 131st | 262 |
| Owner-occupied share | 194th | 260 |
| Travel time to work | 228th | 260 |
Oberlin's figures with every place in Louisiana (CSV)
Every place in Louisiana, sortable · Compare Oberlin 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 Oberlin?
23 of the 57 figures for Oberlin 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 Oberlin 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 Oberlin.