County · Louisiana
Tensas Parish, Louisiana
Tensas Parish, Louisiana. Tensas Parish had 3,700 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 10.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than Louisiana's (−0.9%). It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 22107.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,700
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,147 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,935
Median household income
$36,615
±$4,366 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $60,756
Median home value
$86,300
±$7,290 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $216,500
Median gross rent
$601
±$146 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $1,064
How many people live in Tensas Parish, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 4,147 residents in Tensas Parish. The Census Bureau estimates 3,700 for July 1, 2025, down 10.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than Louisiana's (−0.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,935 over 603 square miles of land.
| Measure | Tensas Parish | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,935 | 4,611,961 | −626 |
| Households | 1,578±115 | 1,804,780 | −214 |
| Average household size | 2.33±0.17 | 2.49 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,792±20 | 2,108,902 | −640 |
Tensas Parish's population since 2000
From 6,618 in 2000 to 3,700 in 2025: down 44.1%. 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 Tensas Parish?
Tensas Parish holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Newellton with 799 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Newellton | 886 | $25,190 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph | 831 | $38,393 |
| Waterproof | 541 | $21,786 |
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 Tensas Parish?
The median resident of Tensas Parish is 47.5 years old; 21.4% are under 18 and 28.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 54.0%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 41.3%.
| Measure | Tensas Parish | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.5±1.8 | 38.0 | +4.1 |
| Under 18 years | 21.4% | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 28.1% | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 7.2% | −1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 41.3%±0.3 pts | 55.7% | −0.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 54.0%±2.2 pts | 30.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±1.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.3%±1.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.0%±2.0 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 20.5%±3.6 pts | 16.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.6%±2.4 pts | 7.8% | −12.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.5%±4.2 pts | 87.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.6%±4.3 pts | 27.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.0%±2.0 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0%±0.1 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 Tensas Parish earn?
Half of Tensas Parish's 1,578 households earn less than $36,615 a year (±$4,366), against $60,756 in Louisiana. In 2015-2019 it was $33,844 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 34.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Tensas Parish | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $36,615±$4,366 | $60,756 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $47,851±$6,442 | $87,038 | – |
| Per capita income | $20,390±$2,628 | $35,038 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 34.4%±4.8 pts | 18.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 54.8%±7.3 pts | 25.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 31.8%±6.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 70.0%±5.4 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 Tensas Parish?
Owners occupy 74.2% of Tensas Parish's occupied homes and renters 25.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $86,300 by its owner (±$7,290). The median renter pays $601 a month including utilities, and 52.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Tensas Parish | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $86,300±$7,290 | $216,500 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $601±$146 | $1,064 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 52.5%±15.1 pts | 46.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $981±$154 | $1,604 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.2%±5.2 pts | 67.4% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,792±20 | 2,108,902 | −640 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±2.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.9%±3.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.8%±3.8 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.7%±3.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.0%±2.1 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 Tensas Parish building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Tensas Parish in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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 Tensas Parish get to work?
84.0% of Tensas Parish's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 32.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 11.4%.
| Measure | Tensas Parish | Louisiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 35.4%±4.5 pts | 59.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 11.4%±5.5 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 84.0%±5.2 pts | 78.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.6%±4.4 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±1.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.5%±2.7 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.5 min±5.4 | 25.7 min | +10.3 min |
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 Tensas Parish's census tracts?
Tensas Parish is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,103 (Tract 3) to $65,408 (Tract 2).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Tensas Parish compare with Louisiana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 64th of 64 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 62nd of 64 |
| Residents per square mile | 63rd of 64 |
| Median household income | 60th of 64 |
| Median home value | 62nd of 64 |
| Median gross rent | 64th of 64 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 64 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45th of 64 |
| Median age | 1st 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 Tensas 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.