Living in Jena, Louisiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Jena · Census data 2020–2024
Jena has 4,160 residents with a median age of 34.7. The median household income is $71,730 (18% higher than the Louisiana median), the median home value is $139,700, the median rent is $906/month.
Jena at a glance
- Population
- 4,160
- Median age
- 34.7State: 38
- Median household income
- $71,730State: $60,756
- Median home value
- $139,700State: $216,500
- Median rent
- $906/moState: $1,064
- Homeowners
- 81.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.8%
- Average commute
- 36 min
Is Jena a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 18% higher than the Louisiana median; home values 35% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.6%; a poverty rate of 11.3%.
Cons: An average commute of 36 minutes.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Jena
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Jena the median home value is $139,700, 58% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $906 per month, which is 23.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,597 a month in housing costs.
Jena median household income
The median household income in Jena is $71,730 and the income per person is $36,460. 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Louisiana: 18.9%).
Housing in Jena: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,681
- Owner-occupied
- 81.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 18.7%
- Vacant
- 13%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 2.65
Jena demographics
- Population
- 4,160
- Median age
- 34.7
- Under 18
- 25.6%
- 65 and older
- 15%
- Households
- 1,463
- Foreign-born
- 1.6%
- Veterans
- 1.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Jena ›
Education in Jena
21.8% of adults 25 and older in Jena have a bachelor's degree or higher (Louisiana: 27%), and 9.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Jena
- Unemployment rate
- 1.6%State: 6.3%
- Average commute
- 36 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 6%
- Drive alone
- 74.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.8%
Jena vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jena | 4,160 | $71,730 | $139,700 | $906 |
| Midway | 937 | $25,590 | $183,100 | $252 |
| Good Pine | 791 | $88,512 | $110,700 | — |
| Tullos | 226 | $54,750 | $66,000 | $950 |
| Urania | 1,240 | $47,083 | $94,300 | $950 |
| Georgetown | 340 | $45,750 | $68,800 | $720 |
| Olla | 1,179 | $29,688 | $119,200 | $422 |
| Jonesville | 1,288 | $43,684 | $112,800 | $1,016 |
| Harrisonburg | 287 | $51,786 | $207,300 | $592 |
More for people moving to Jena
Jena ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Jena: FAQ
What is the median household income in Jena, LA?
The median household income in Jena is $71,730, 18% higher than the Louisiana median of $60,756 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Jena?
The median home value in Jena is $139,700, compared with $216,500 in Louisiana.
How much is rent in Jena?
The median gross rent in Jena is $906 per month, about 23.6% of household income.
Is Jena, LA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 18% higher than the Louisiana median; home values 35% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.6%; a poverty rate of 11.3%. Minuses: an average commute of 36 minutes.
What is the median age in Jena?
The median age in Jena is 34.7 years (Louisiana: 38).
How long is the commute in Jena?
The average commute to work in Jena is 36 minutes; 6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Jena?
The unemployment rate in Jena is 1.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Jena?
21.8% of adults in Jena have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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