City profile · Louisiana · Census ACS 2023

Ponchatoula, LA

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

7,839
Residents
$47,821
Median income
$194,300
Median home
$1,099
Median rent (state)

Ponchatoula - the verdict

Ponchatoula ranks in the 16th percentile for household income and the 23rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

16th
percentile, household income
41st
percentile, home value
28th
percentile, median rent
23rd
percentile, safety
📝 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: Ponchatoula, LA

Ponchatoula is a small town in Louisiana, home to 7,839 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $47,821 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.8%. Ponchatoula's housing stock carries a median value of $194,300, and the median resident age is 43.9 years. About 22.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 44.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 20 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 77% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2428.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,099 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Louisiana's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). Workers in Ponchatoula report an average commute of 28.7 minutes, with 82.4% driving alone and 10.3% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 93.3 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

7,839 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Louisiana

Median Household Income

$47,821 /yr

Poverty 16.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Louisiana average

How does Ponchatoula compare to other US cities?

Where Ponchatoula sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 16% higher than other cities
Home value 41% pricier than other cities
Median rent 28% pricier than other cities
Safety 23% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Louisiana alone, Ponchatoula ranks #24 of 60 Louisiana cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Ponchatoula'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.

16thIncome percentile
23rdSafety percentile

16th percentile nationally for median household income · 23rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ponchatoula's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ponchatoula's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 35 Avg. percentile National median
Ponchatoula's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Ponchatoula's home value compares nationally

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

$194,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 59% 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%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Ponchatoula $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 - Ponchatoula, LA Ponchatoula, LA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ponchatoula, 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 Ponchatoula, LA median $47,821/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%
Ponchatoula, 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 Ponchatoula, LA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.8%

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

Population
7,839
Median Income
$47,821
Median Home Value
$194,300
Median Age
43.9
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Labor force participation
44.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2428.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
449.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1978.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,700 residents7,750 residents7,800 residents7,850 residents7,900 residents7,950 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,835 residents 7,755 residents ▼ -1.0%
Ponchatoula's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
20
housing units authorized
Single-Family
20
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 88
2020 80
2021 38
2022 13
2023 9
2024 20

Permit volume decreased 77% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
28.7 minutes
Drive Alone
82.4%
Carpool
2.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
10.3%
Other
4.9%

Based on 2,802 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 Ponchatoula sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,099/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Louisiana

Old Jefferson
7,790 people
Eden Isle
7,753 people
Fort Polk South
8,056 people
Breaux Bridge
7,497 people
Meraux
7,492 people
Reserve
7,471 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ponchatoula's 7,839 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Round Lake Park, IL
7,833 people
Yreka, CA
7,832 people
Lihue, HI
7,847 people
Big Rapids, MI
7,847 people
Westlake, CA
7,829 people
Princeton, IL
7,829 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ponchatoula's $47,821 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Brownwood, TX
$47,821 median income
Cumberland, MD
$47,819 median income
Hillsdale, MI
$47,817 median income
Icard, NC
$47,825 median income
Niles, MI
$47,815 median income
Sandusky, OH
$47,827 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ponchatoula, 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 Ponchatoula, LA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 66.9% 27.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.3% White 66.9% Black or African American 27.3% Asian 1.5% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.5% Two or more races 1.8% 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 Ponchatoula 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
Ponchatoula (this city) 7,839 $47,821
Old Jefferson 7,790 $85,466
Eden Isle 7,753 $76,427
Fort Polk South 8,056 $62,790
Census ACS 5-year FIPS LA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ponchatoula, LA?

What is the population of Ponchatoula, LA? +

Ponchatoula, LA counts 7,839 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Ponchatoula runs $47,821, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ponchatoula? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Ponchatoula; 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.

Is Ponchatoula, LA safe? +

Ponchatoula has a total crime rate of 2428.0 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

Ponchatoula's median home value sits at $194,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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