City profile · Louisiana · Census ACS 2023

Westwego, LA

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

8,382
Residents
$49,291
Median income
$168,600
Median home
$1,331
Median rent (state)

Westwego - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Westwego lands in the 18th percentile for household income and the 22nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

18th
percentile, household income
33rd
percentile, home value
48th
percentile, median rent
22nd
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: Westwego, LA

Louisiana's Westwego is a small town, with 8,382 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $49,291 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 11.3%. Westwego's housing stock carries a median value of $168,600, and the median resident age is 47.4 years. Educational attainment runs 16.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 50.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 9 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 125% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2518.4 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Louisiana run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Louisiana at 88.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,331 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Louisiana, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Westwego report an average commute of 21.1 minutes, with 79.6% driving alone and 5.0% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 85.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

8,382 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Louisiana

Median Household Income

$49,291 /yr

Poverty 11.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Louisiana average

How does Westwego compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 18% higher than other cities
Home value 33% pricier than other cities
Median rent 48% pricier than other cities
Safety 22% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Louisiana and the picture shifts: Westwego ranks #26 of 60 Louisiana cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Westwego against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Louisiana only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Louisiana-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Westwego toward the top of Louisiana's cities

Among the 477 Louisiana cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Westwego ranks #1 - the 87th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Westwego only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#225 of 426
47th percentile in Louisiana
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 477
87th percentile in Louisiana
Median Home Value
#167 of 419
60th percentile in Louisiana
Poverty Rate
#285 of 475
40th percentile in Louisiana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#196 of 477
59th percentile in Louisiana

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Louisiana only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

18thIncome percentile
22ndSafety percentile

18th percentile nationally for median household income · 22nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Westwego's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Westwego'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 33 Avg. percentile National median
Westwego'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 Westwego's home value compares nationally

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

$168,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 67% 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. Westwego $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 - Westwego, LA Westwego, LA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Westwego, 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 Westwego, LA median $49,291/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%
Westwego, 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 Westwego, LA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.3%

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

Population
8,382
Median Income
$49,291
Median Home Value
$168,600
Median Age
47.4
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Labor force participation
50.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2518.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
423.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2094.5
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,200 residents8,300 residents8,400 residents8,500 residents8,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,532 residents 8,317 residents ▼ -2.5%
Westwego's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
9
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 9
2021 10
2022 12
2023 12
2024 9

Permit volume increased 125% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.1 minutes
Drive Alone
79.6%
Carpool
10.0%
Public Transit
2.4%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
5.0%
Other
2.0%

Based on 3,606 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 Westwego sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,331/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
85.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Louisiana

Oak Hills Place
8,380 people
Scott
8,348 people
Prien
8,248 people
Fort Polk South
8,056 people
Village St. George
8,880 people
Ponchatoula
7,839 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Westwego's 8,382 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Crete, IL
8,382 people
Dayton, MN
8,381 people
Lock Haven, PA
8,386 people
Atmore, AL
8,389 people
Gilberts, IL
8,389 people
Hillsboro, TX
8,375 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Westwego's $49,291 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Zephyrhills, FL
$49,295 median income
Ingram, TX
$49,295 median income
Peach Springs, AZ
$49,286 median income
Grants, NM
$49,286 median income
Ozark, AR
$49,283 median income
Biltmore, TN
$49,280 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Westwego, 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 Westwego, LA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 64.9% 24.8% 6.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.4% White 64.9% Black or African American 24.8% Asian 2.4% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 6.7% 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 Westwego 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
Westwego (this city) 8,382 $49,291
Oak Hills Place 8,380 $97,466
Scott 8,348 $54,220
Prien 8,248 $91,300
Census ACS 5-year FIPS LA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Westwego, LA?

What is the population of Westwego, LA? +

8,382 people live in Westwego, LA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Westwego, the typical household earns $49,291 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Westwego? +

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

Westwego has a total crime rate of 2518.4 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 Westwego, LA? +

The median home value in Westwego is $168,600, 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

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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.