City profile · Louisiana · Census ACS 2023

Oberlin, LA

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

1,683
Residents
$41,198
Median income
$95,700
Median home
$834
Median rent (state)

Oberlin - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Oberlin places in the 9th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

9th
percentile, household income
8th
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: Oberlin, LA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,683 residents in Oberlin, a small town within Louisiana. The typical household in Oberlin brings in $41,198 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.3%. Home values in Oberlin run a median of $95,700, and the median resident age is 38.4 years. 7.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 44.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity).

Living costs in Louisiana run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Louisiana scores 88.2 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $834 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Louisiana, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Oberlin workers runs 21.3 minutes, with 95.5% driving alone and 0.0% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 50.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

1,683 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Louisiana

Median Household Income

$41,198 /yr

Poverty 13.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Louisiana average

How does Oberlin compare to other US cities?

Here's how Oberlin stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 9% higher than other cities
Home value 8% 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 Oberlin'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.

9thIncome percentile

9th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Oberlin's home value compares nationally

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

$95,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 92% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Oberlin $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 - Oberlin, LA Oberlin, LA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, LA median $41,198/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%
Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, LA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 7.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.3%

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

Population
1,683
Median Income
$41,198
Median Home Value
$95,700
Median Age
38.4
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Labor force participation
44.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
7.4%

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,280 residents1,300 residents1,320 residents1,340 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,324 residents 1,286 residents ▼ -2.9%
Oberlin's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 2

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.3 minutes
Drive Alone
95.5%
Carpool
4.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
0.0%

Based on 572 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 Oberlin sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$834/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
50.7 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Louisiana

Vienna Bend
1,693 people
Baldwin
1,694 people
Henderson
1,640 people
Minorca
1,615 people
Logansport
1,606 people
Cade
1,775 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Oberlin's 1,683 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Howard City, MI
1,683 people
La Luz, NM
1,683 people
Oakfield, NY
1,683 people
Mokuleia, HI
1,684 people
Venice, IL
1,682 people
Forsyth, MT
1,682 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Oberlin's $41,198 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

La Homa, TX
$41,198 median income
Coldspring, TX
$41,196 median income
Grandview Plaza, KS
$41,202 median income
Duquesne, PA
$41,208 median income
Gaffney, SC
$41,214 median income
Bonnetsville, NC
$41,217 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, LA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 55.7% 42.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.8% White 55.7% Black or African American 42.8% Asian 1.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.2% 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 Oberlin 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
Oberlin (this city) 1,683 $41,198
Vienna Bend 1,693 $41,974
Baldwin 1,694 $29,592
Henderson 1,640 $42,700
Census ACS 5-year FIPS LA NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Oberlin, LA?

What is the population of Oberlin, LA? +

The population of Oberlin, LA stands at 1,683 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Oberlin households earn a median of $41,198 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Oberlin? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Oberlin; 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 Oberlin, LA? +

Oberlin's median home value sits at $95,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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 Editorial

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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.