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Louisiana Population Overview (2026 Projection)
Louisiana is a state in the South Central region of the United States. It is bordered by Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, Mississippi to the east, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south.
Louisiana is the 25th most populous state in the United States. The state has a total land area of 43,601 square miles (112,927 square kilometers) and an average population density of 107 people per square mile, making it the 24th most densely populated state in the U.S.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Louisiana’s population in 2020 was 4,657,757 (4.6 million). As of July 1, 2024, the estimated population of Louisiana is 4,597,740, which is approximately 4.6 million people.
👉 Projected Population of Louisiana (2026): ~4.6 million
Louisiana Population Growth (2010–2020)
Louisiana experienced a population growth rate of 2.7% between 2010 and 2020, adding 124,385 residents during the decade. The median age of the population is 36.2 years, with 51.1% female and 48.9% male residents.
Louisiana Census Snapshot (2020)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 4,657,757 (4.6 million) |
| Median Age | 36.2 years |
| Population Rank | 25th |
| Total Land Area | 43,601 sq mi (112,927 km²) |
| Area Rank | 31st |
| Population Density | 106.9/sq mi (41.3/km²) |
| Capital City | Baton Rouge |
| Largest City | New Orleans |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2020)
Louisiana Historical Population
Louisiana’s population has shown steady long-term growth with periods of slowdown. In 1910, the state had a population of about 1.65 million, which increased to 4.66 million by 2020, representing a net gain of nearly 3 million people over the past century. Population growth was particularly strong during the 19th century and mid-20th century, with notable expansions between 1840–1860 and 1950–1980. Growth slowed considerably after 1990, with marginal increases between 1990 and 2010, followed by a modest 2.7% rise from 2010 to 2020, reflecting recent stabilization in population trends.
Decadal Population Change (1810–2020)
| Census Year | Population | % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1810 | 76,556 | – |
| 1820 | 153,407 | 100.40% |
| 1830 | 215,739 | 40.60% |
| 1840 | 352,411 | 63.40% |
| 1850 | 517,762 | 46.90% |
| 1860 | 708,002 | 36.70% |
| 1870 | 726,915 | 2.70% |
| 1880 | 939,946 | 29.30% |
| 1890 | 1,118,588 | 19.00% |
| 1900 | 1,381,625 | 23.50% |
| 1910 | 1,656,388 | 19.90% |
| 1920 | 1,798,509 | 8.60% |
| 1930 | 2,101,593 | 16.90% |
| 1940 | 2,363,516 | 12.50% |
| 1950 | 2,683,516 | 13.50% |
| 1960 | 3,257,022 | 21.40% |
| 1970 | 3,641,306 | 11.80% |
| 1980 | 4,205,900 | 15.50% |
| 1990 | 4,219,973 | 0.30% |
| 2000 | 4,468,976 | 5.90% |
| 2010 | 4,533,372 | 1.40% |
| 2020 | 4,657,757 | 2.70% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2020)
Louisiana Demographics (Summary)
Religion and Affiliations (Overview)
Christianity is the dominant religion in Louisiana, followed by approximately 85% of the population. The largest Christian denomination is Protestant (57%), followed by Roman Catholic (26%) and Jehovah’s Witnesses (1%).
The religiously unaffiliated population accounts for 13% of residents and includes individuals who do not identify with any organized religion. Other non-Christian faiths, including Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam, together make up about 2% of Louisiana’s population.
For more details, read: Religion in Louisiana
Race and Ethnicity (Overview)
According to the 2020 Census, the White alone (non-Hispanic) population was the largest racial or ethnic group in Louisiana, comprising 55.75% of the total population. This was followed by the Black or African American population at 31.18%. The Hispanic or Latino population accounted for 6.92% of residents.
People identifying as two or more races made up 3.35%, while the Asian population represented 1.83% of Louisiana’s population.
Ancestry in Louisiana (Overview)
Based on Census studies and estimates, the five largest ancestry groups in Louisiana are French, American, German, Irish, and English, reflecting the state’s deep historical ties to both European settlement and early American heritage.
For more details, read: Race and Ethnicity in Louisiana
Top Cities and Counties in Louisiana
As of 2022, the state of Louisiana is divided into 64 parishes, which are analogous to counties in other states. The most populous Parish in Louisiana is East Baton Rouge Parish (1.26 million), and The Largest Parish by Land Area in Louisiana is Plaquemines Parish. New Orleans is the most populated city in Louisiana. It’s followed by Baton Rouge and Shreveport.
read more Cities and Counties in Louisiana
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