Living in Opelousas, Louisiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Opelousas · Census data 2020–2024
Opelousas has 15,495 residents with a median age of 37.1. The median household income is $32,964 (46% lower than the Louisiana median), the median home value is $105,100, the median rent is $717/month.
Opelousas at a glance
- Population
- 15,495
- Median age
- 37.1State: 38
- Median household income
- $32,964State: $60,756
- Median home value
- $105,100State: $216,500
- Median rent
- $717/moState: $1,064
- Homeowners
- 52.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 10.7%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Opelousas a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 46% lower than the Louisiana median; unemployment of 11.9%; a poverty rate of 37.4%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Opelousas
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Opelousas the median home value is $105,100, 68% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $717 per month, which is 30.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,228 a month in housing costs.
Opelousas median household income
The median household income in Opelousas is $32,964 and the income per person is $20,531. 37.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Louisiana: 18.9%).
Housing in Opelousas: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 7,493
- Owner-occupied
- 52.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 47.2%
- Vacant
- 16.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1975
- Average household size
- 2.39
Opelousas demographics
- Population
- 15,495
- Median age
- 37.1
- Under 18
- 25.2%
- 65 and older
- 16.7%
- Households
- 6,278
- Foreign-born
- 0.8%
- Veterans
- 3.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Opelousas ›
Education in Opelousas
10.7% of adults 25 and older in Opelousas have a bachelor's degree or higher (Louisiana: 27%), and 4.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Opelousas
- Unemployment rate
- 11.9%State: 6.3%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 5%
- Drive alone
- 84%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 2.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 67.4%
Opelousas vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opelousas | 15,495 | $32,964 | $105,100 | $717 |
| Washington | 564 | $41,563 | $85,300 | $627 |
| Leonville | 1,395 | $43,015 | $182,800 | $693 |
| Grand Coteau | 959 | $34,730 | $117,500 | $678 |
| Port Barre | 2,275 | $41,278 | $75,700 | $881 |
| Sunset | 3,074 | $60,964 | $206,100 | $860 |
| Church Point | 4,096 | $46,087 | $96,700 | $862 |
| Arnaudville | 1,239 | $16,111 | $83,400 | $502 |
| Cankton | 514 | $72,000 | $191,100 | $668 |
More for people moving to Opelousas
Opelousas ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Opelousas: FAQ
What is the median household income in Opelousas, LA?
The median household income in Opelousas is $32,964, 46% lower 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 Opelousas?
The median home value in Opelousas is $105,100, compared with $216,500 in Louisiana.
How much is rent in Opelousas?
The median gross rent in Opelousas is $717 per month, about 30.8% of household income.
Is Opelousas, LA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes. Minuses: median household income 46% lower than the Louisiana median; unemployment of 11.9%; a poverty rate of 37.4%.
What is the median age in Opelousas?
The median age in Opelousas is 37.1 years (Louisiana: 38).
How long is the commute in Opelousas?
The average commute to work in Opelousas is 24 minutes; 5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Opelousas?
The unemployment rate in Opelousas is 11.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Opelousas?
10.7% of adults in Opelousas 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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