At a Glance
Median Income
$36,260
$19,584 per capita
Home Value
$113,000
Zillow: $133,528
Median Rent
$734/mo
32.3% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,369/100K
5,045/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
10.9%
78.6% high school+
Unemployment
10.3%
31.5% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
46.6%
26.0% smoking rate
How Opelousas Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Opelousas's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Opelousas a Good Place to Live?
C
2.3 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Opelousas residents earn a median household income of $36,260 , which is 52% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $19,584. The unemployment rate stands at 10.3% (186% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 31.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 11,990 business establishments, including 739 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Opelousas is $113,000 , 60% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $133,528. Median rent is $734/month, with 32.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 88.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1969.
Safety & Crime
Opelousas reports 1,369 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 260% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 5,045/100K.
Education
10.9% of adults in Opelousas hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(68% below the national average).
78.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Opelousas has an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C).
Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 64.8 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 51.
Data Overview
People
Population15,662
Median Age34.3 yrs
Density1,620/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Foreign Born0.6%
Veterans3.7%
Economy
F
Median Income$36,260
Per Capita$19,584
Unemployment10.3%
Poverty31.5%
County GDP$19,778M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,118
Housing
A+
Home Value$113,000
Rent$734
Ownership50.6%
Zillow$133,528
Housing Units6,955
Rent Burden32.3%
Crime
F
Violent1,369/100K
Property5,045/100K
Health
Obesity46.6%
Diabetes20.3%
Smoking26.0%
Heart Disease8.2%
Premature Death9,850/100K
Climate
Avg Temp68°F
Rain64.8 in/yr
AQI51 (Moderate)
Elevation65 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+10.9%
High School+78.6%
Graduate+4.1%
School Score4.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute24 min
Broadband64.0%
Internet Speed216 Mbps
EV Stations9
Libraries10
Did You Know?
Opelousas was founded in 1720.
The median home in Opelousas was built in 1969.
The nearest airport is Lafayette Regional/Paul Fournet Field (23 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.497 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
15.9% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 216 Mbps.
There are 739 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 39 fatal vehicle crashes.