At a Glance
Median Income
$47,821
$31,521 per capita
Home Value
$194,300
Zillow: $250,850
Median Rent
$1,079/mo
27.5% of income on rent
Violent Crime
450/100K
1,978/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
22.4%
87.5% high school+
Unemployment
1.8%
16.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
43.4%
19.2% smoking rate
How Ponchatoula Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Ponchatoula's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Ponchatoula a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Ponchatoula residents earn a median household income of $47,821 , which is 36% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $31,521. The unemployment rate stands at 1.8% (50% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 3,747 business establishments, including 289 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Ponchatoula is $194,300 , 31% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $250,850. Median rent is $1,079/month, with 27.5% 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 1992.
Safety & Crime
Ponchatoula reports 450 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 18% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 1,978/100K.
Education
22.4% of adults in Ponchatoula hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(34% below the national average).
87.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 3.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Ponchatoula has an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C).
Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 65.0 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population7,839
Median Age43.9 yrs
Density1,661/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Foreign Born2.7%
Veterans6.4%
Economy
B
Median Income$47,821
Per Capita$31,521
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty16.8%
County GDP$6,435M
Avg Weekly Wage$900
Housing
A
Home Value$194,300
Rent$1,079
Ownership77.3%
Zillow$250,850
Housing Units3,837
Rent Burden27.5%
Crime
F
Violent450/100K
Property1,978/100K
Health
Obesity43.4%
Diabetes13.7%
Smoking19.2%
Heart Disease6.7%
Premature Death13,160/100K
Climate
Avg Temp67°F
Rain65.0 in/yr
Elevation26 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+22.4%
High School+87.5%
Graduate+5.7%
School Score3.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 68% / D 31%
Commute32 min
Broadband80.9%
Internet Speed153 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries6
Did You Know?
Ponchatoula was founded in 1820.
The median home in Ponchatoula was built in 1992.
The nearest airport is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (33 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.475 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
23.9% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 153 Mbps.
There are 289 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 39 fatal vehicle crashes.