County · Louisiana
Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Rapides Parish had 125,877 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.2% since 2020, a steeper fall than Louisiana's (−0.9%). It holds 12 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 39 census tracts. GEOID 22079.
Rapides Parish is one of the 2 counties of the Alexandria, LA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
125,877
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 130,023 · ACS 2020-2024: 127,527
Median household income
$54,967
±$2,192 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $60,756
Median home value
$181,100
±$8,652 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $216,500
Median gross rent
$950
±$34 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $1,064
How many people live in Rapides Parish, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 130,023 residents in Rapides Parish. The Census Bureau estimates 125,877 for July 1, 2025, down 3.2% since 2020, a steeper fall than Louisiana's (−0.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 127,527 over 1,324 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rapides Parish | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 127,527 | 4,611,961 | −3,443 |
| Households | 48,954±725 | 1,804,780 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.53±0.04 | 2.49 | −0.08 |
| Housing units | 58,573±66 | 2,108,902 | +420 |
Rapides Parish's population since 2000
From 126,337 in 2000 to 125,877 in 2025: down 0.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Rapides Parish?
Rapides Parish holds 12 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Alexandria with 42,938 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Alexandria | 45,275 | $47,113 |
|---|---|---|
| Pineville | 14,384 | $49,774 |
| Ball | 3,961 | $80,074 |
| Woodworth | 1,762 | $84,500 |
| DevilleGEOID 2220890 | 1,761 | not published |
| Glenmora | 1,087 | $31,839 |
| Boyce | 888 | $37,895 |
| Lecompte | 845 | $35,357 |
| Forest Hill | 605 | $115,938 |
| CheneyvilleGEOID 2214660 | 468 | $17,132 |
| EchoGEOID 2222640 | 352 | $127,965 |
| McNaryGEOID 2247315 | 201 | $57,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rapides Parish?
The median resident of Rapides Parish is 37.9 years old; 25.0% are under 18 and 17.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 59.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 30.7%. 2.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rapides Parish | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9±0.4 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.0% | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.0%±0.1 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.2% | 7.2% | +1.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 59.4%±0.3 pts | 55.7% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 30.7%±0.5 pts | 30.5% | −0.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 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 | 3.7%±0.6 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.8%±0.4 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.0%±0.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.4%±0.7 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 18.5%±0.9 pts | 16.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.1%±0.8 pts | 7.8% | −1.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.9%±1.1 pts | 87.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.1%±1.3 pts | 27.0% | +2.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.9%±0.8 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±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 Rapides Parish earn?
Half of Rapides Parish's 48,954 households earn less than $54,967 a year (±$2,192), against $60,756 in Louisiana. In 2015-2019 the median was $58,174 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $3,207 after inflation. 19.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rapides Parish | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,967±$2,192 | $60,756 | −$3,207 |
| Mean household income | $78,854±$2,492 | $87,038 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,518±$1,026 | $35,038 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.9%±1.4 pts | 18.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.3%±2.9 pts | 25.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.1%±1.4 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.1%±1.2 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 Rapides Parish?
Owners occupy 64.8% of Rapides Parish's occupied homes and renters 35.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $181,100 by its owner (±$8,652). The median renter pays $950 a month including utilities, and 45.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rapides Parish | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $181,100±$8,652 | $216,500 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $950±$34 | $1,064 | −$60 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.3%±3.7 pts | 46.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,477±$56 | $1,604 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.8%±1.6 pts | 67.4% | +3.1 pts |
| Housing units | 58,573±66 | 2,108,902 | +420 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.1%±1.7 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.9%±1.7 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.7%±1.3 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.1%±0.6 pts | 6.1% | – |
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 Rapides Parish building?
Builders took permits for 241 new housing units across Rapides Parish in 2025 (217 single-family), 1.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rapides Parish get to work?
80.4% of Rapides Parish's workers drive alone and 5.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Rapides Parish | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.5%±1.2 pts | 59.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1%±0.8 pts | 6.3% | −1.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 80.4%±1.7 pts | 78.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.5%±1.1 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 2.3%±0.9 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.5%±0.8 pts | 8.1% | +3.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.2 min±1.0 | 25.7 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 are Rapides Parish's census tracts?
Rapides Parish is divided into 39 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $16,023 (Tract 120) to $108,647 (Tract 123.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rapides Parish compare with Louisiana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 13th of 64 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 36th of 64 |
| Residents per square mile | 19th of 64 |
| Median household income | 31st of 64 |
| Median home value | 24th of 64 |
| Median gross rent | 22nd of 64 |
| Poverty rate | 35th of 64 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15th of 64 |
| Median age | 43rd of 64 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Rapides Parish 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' school search.