Baton Rouge, Louisiana Income Statistics
Baton Rouge Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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D
Baton Rouge Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Baton Rouge | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $50,685 | $60,934 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,915 | $53,184 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 2.7% | 3.7% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.3% | 9.7% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 8.5% | 7.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Baton Rouge is about 17% lower than in Louisiana. Income has been growing slower in Baton Rouge (2.7%/yr) than in Louisiana (3.7%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Baton Rouge earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Louisiana average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Baton Rouge, Louisiana grew by 42.1% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $50,685 in 2024. That's an average of about 2.7% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Baton Rouge
| Metric | Baton Rouge | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.607 | 0.574 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $61,124 | $65,171 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $44,071 | $47,031 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 27.9% | 27.8% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Baton Rouge, it is 0.607, higher than Louisiana's 0.574, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.552, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 39% more than women's income in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Over a 35-year career, a 39% wage gap accumulates to roughly $596,855 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has narrowed from about 31% to 28% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 32% in 2010, and was narrowest at 25% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,942 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Baton Rouge | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 8.7% | 6.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.3% | 8.1% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 9,527 people are unemployed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The average commute time in Baton Rouge is 18 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Louisiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has fallen from 8.9% to 8.7% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 9.6% in 2014 and fell as low as 8.4% in 2019.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Baton Rouge, Louisiana has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with Louisiana, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
How Rich Is Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
Baton Rouge has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $50,685, about 17% lower than the Louisiana average of $60,934.
Are incomes growing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Baton Rouge, Louisiana rose 42%, from $35,669 to $50,685. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Louisiana as a whole: +42% against +44%.
What was the median household income in Baton Rouge in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Baton Rouge, Louisiana was $50,528, down 1% from $50,784 in 2022. The Louisiana median that year was $60,038.
What was the median household income in Baton Rouge in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Baton Rouge, Louisiana was $44,901. By 2024 it had risen 13% to $50,685.
Is unemployment high in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
Unemployment in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is 8.7%, well above the Louisiana rate of 6.2%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
The Gini coefficient in Baton Rouge is 0.607. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has narrowed from about 31% to 28% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 32% in 2010, and was narrowest at 25% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,942 since 2009.
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