Parishes, not counties
Louisiana is the only state divided into parishes instead of counties, a legacy of its French and Spanish colonial past.
Capital: Baton RougeLargest city: New OrleansNickname: The Pelican StateStatehood: 1812
Louisiana at a glance
The state’s essential figures from the latest official data
Area
135,652 km²
31st largest state
Population
4,597,740
41.1 people/km² of land
July 1, 2024 · 25th in the U.S.
Foreign-born population
4.7%
Share of all residents
ACS 2019–2023
GDP
$342 billion
$64,103 personal income per capita
2025 · BEA
Births
53,787
July 2023–June 2024
Deaths
49,828
July 2023–June 2024
Natural increase
+3,959
Births minus deaths
Population change
+9,669
July 2023–June 2024
Louisiana data modules
Official information organized by subject
Population
How many people live here, how it's changing and who they are.
Housing
Home prices, rents, supply and how affordable it is to live here.
Economy
GDP, income, output and the industries that drive the economy.
Cost of Living
What it really costs to live here: housing, food, utilities and more.
Jobs & Employment
Employment, unemployment, salaries and the labor force.
Crime & Safety
Crime rates, violent and property crime, and public safety.
Education
Schools, universities, attainment and graduation rates.
Health
Life expectancy, healthcare access, hospitals and insurance.
Taxes
Income, property and sales taxes, plus overall tax burden.
Immigration
Foreign-born population, origins and migration flows.
Energy
Electricity prices, production, renewables and consumption.
Environment
Air quality, wildfires, drought, water and emissions.
Transportation
Vehicles, public transit, airports, traffic and commuting.
Politics & Elections
Election results, representatives and voting trends.
Poverty & Welfare
Poverty, food assistance, Medicaid and social safety net programs.
Retirement & Seniors
Older population, Social Security, retirees and senior living.
Agriculture & Farming
Farms, farmland, crop and livestock output and agricultural exports.
Tourism & Parks
Visitors, tourism spending, national and state parks.
Innovation & Patents
Patents, R&D spending, venture capital and tech employment.
Culture, Media & Gaming
Film, TV, music, theaters, museums and the video game industry.
Pets & Animal Welfare
Pet ownership, shelters, adoptions and veterinary services.
Explore Louisiana
64 counties, one interactive atlas
Select a county to compare population, income, housing and territory using official U.S. Census Bureau data.
Population (residents)
< 50,000> 3,000,000
Louisiana, United States
East Baton Rouge Parish County
County seat: Baton Rouge
452,821
Population
$38,131
Income per capita
$241,800
Median home value
7.6%
Unemployment
- Land area
- 456 mi²
- Population density
- 994 /mi²
ACS 2023 5-year estimates · Census Gazetteer 2023. Unemployment is calculated from the ACS civilian labor force.
Counties
64 counties · choose how to order them
East Baton Rouge Parish
453,022 residents
Jefferson Parish
427,253 residents
Orleans Parish
362,701 residents
St. Tammany Parish
277,615 residents
Lafayette Parish
254,241 residents
Caddo Parish
224,893 residents
Calcasieu Parish
206,861 residents
Ouachita Parish
157,874 residents
Livingston Parish
152,886 residents
Tangipahoa Parish
139,823 residents
Ascension Parish
133,534 residents
Bossier Parish
131,102 residents
Did you know?
Curious facts about Louisiana
Birthplace of jazz
New Orleans is widely considered the birthplace of jazz.
The Louisiana Purchase
In 1803 the U.S. bought the Louisiana Territory from France, roughly doubling the size of the country.
Wetlands at risk
Louisiana holds about 40% of the coastal wetlands in the lower 48 states.