Rapides Parish, LA Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze local population trends, population density map, housing costs, and the local economy.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population: density and quick facts
| Metric | Rapides Parish | Louisiana Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,614 | 4,588,640 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 93.1 | 87.6 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | -0.43% | -0.07% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.4 | 37.1 |
| Households | 48,660 | 1,781,402 | 128,459,983 |
Population in Rapides Parish declined by 2.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 128,470 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
Rapides Parish has a the economy index of D, which means it is barely prosperous.
| Metric | Rapides Parish | Louisiana Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,047 | $60,029 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 4.14% | 3.98% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 6.3% | 5.2% |
The median household income in Rapides Parish is about 7% lower than in Louisiana.
Housing
| Metric | Rapides Parish | Louisiana Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $163,158 | $166,764 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $941 | $1,038 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 65.3% | 67.3% | 65.1% |
The median home price in Rapides Parish is about 14.4 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $941 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in Rapides Parish spend about 35 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 146 hours, about 6.1 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | Rapides Parish | Louisiana Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 17.5 | 21.3 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 35.1 | 42.6 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 146 | 177 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $4,532 | $5,502 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 4.8% | 7.2% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 4,659 | 8,275 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 651 | 1,164 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
Louisiana:
Madison Parish (12.9 min), East Carroll Parish (13.7 min), Lincoln Parish (15.4 min).
Slowest:
East Feliciana Parish (33.1 min), St. Helena Parish (32.3 min), Livingston Parish (32.0 min).
The average commute time in Rapides Parish is 18 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Louisiana.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
Rapides Parish has a education index of D, which means it is barely educated.
| Metric | Rapides Parish | Louisiana Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.4% | 24.0% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.56 | 2.52 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
Louisiana:
Orleans Parish (0.3), East Baton Rouge Parish (0.3), St. Tammany Parish (0.3).
Lowest:
East Carroll Parish (0.1), Assumption Parish (0.2), Evangeline Parish (0.2).
Health
Rapides Parish has a health index of C, which means it is somewhat healthy.
| Metric | Rapides Parish | Louisiana Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 74.9 | 75.1 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 22.8% | 22.3% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 23.8% | 23.9% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
Louisiana:
St. Tammany Parish (0.8), Ascension Parish (0.8), Vernon Parish (0.8).
Lowest:
East Carroll Parish (0.7), Madison Parish (0.7), Tensas Parish (0.7).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rapides Parish, Louisiana.
What is the population of Rapides Parish, Louisiana?
The population of Rapides Parish, Louisiana is 126,614, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of Rapides Parish, Louisiana?
The population density of Rapides Parish, Louisiana is 93.1 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in Rapides Parish, Louisiana?
The median household income in Rapides Parish, Louisiana is $56,047, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in Rapides Parish, Louisiana?
The median home price in Rapides Parish, Louisiana is $163,158, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in Rapides Parish, Louisiana?
The unemployment rate in Rapides Parish, Louisiana is 4.8%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.