New Orleans-Metairie, LA Metro Area

New Orleans-Metairie, LA · Metro Area

981,662Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 7 counties, part of the New Orleans-Metairie-Slidell, LA-MS combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $62,655
Median home value: $260,200
Land area: 2,353 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Jefferson Parish, LA	Central	430,920	$65,252	$251,400
Orleans Parish, LA	Central	371,853	$56,631	$315,700
St. Charles Parish, LA	Central	51,396	$80,897	$263,700
St. Bernard Parish, LA	Central	44,419	$58,651	$202,500
St. John the Baptist Parish, LA	Central	40,743	$66,630	$193,200
Plaquemines Parish, LA	Central	22,803	$86,315	$282,900
St. James Parish, LA	Central	19,528	$65,531	$211,800

Largest cities and towns

68 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
New Orleans, LA	City	371,853	$56,631
Metairie, LA	CDP	139,729	$73,042
Kenner, LA	City	64,904	$64,020
Marrero, LA	CDP	32,540	$41,402
Laplace, LA	CDP	28,343	$69,030
Terrytown, LA	CDP	24,726	$51,718
Chalmette, LA	CDP	22,616	$54,904
Harvey, LA	CDP	20,915	$48,774
Gretna, LA	City	17,389	$43,110
Estelle, LA	CDP	16,341	$78,869
Luling, LA	CDP	13,960	$76,539
River Ridge, LA	CDP	13,312	$84,336
Woodmere, LA	CDP	11,879	$75,828
Destrehan, LA	CDP	11,619	$90,509
Waggaman, LA	CDP	11,330	$68,374
Belle Chasse, LA	CDP	10,934	$115,012
Timberlane, LA	CDP	10,886	$65,901
Jefferson, LA	CDP	9,703	$57,235
Harahan, LA	City	8,904	$79,516
Westwego, LA	City	8,335	$46,261
Meraux, LA	CDP	7,918	$76,021
Reserve, LA	CDP	7,791	$55,450
St. Rose, LA	CDP	7,644	$74,075
Bridge City, LA	CDP	7,297	$57,031
Elmwood, LA	CDP	6,077	$89,430

Also in the New Orleans-Metairie-Slidell, LA-MS combined area

Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA · metro · 272,421 Picayune, MS · micro · 57,458 Bogalusa, LA · micro · 45,120

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

18.6%

Unemployment

6.9%

College Educated

33.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$62,655

Mean Household Income

$91,902

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.2%

Female

51.8%

Population Split

Male48.2%

Female51.8%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

French9.1%

German8.2%

Irish6.6%

Italian6.6%

English5.6%

African2.6%

Mexican2.0%

Scottish0.9%

Polish0.6%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

9.8%Foreign Born

90.2%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized43.1%

Non-Citizen56.9%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later42.9%

Before 201057.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

465,148

Median Rent

$1,217/mo

Median Home Value

$260,200

Median Year Built

1973

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

233,614

College Enrollment

19.7%

High School

21.3%

College Educated

33.4%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

24.4 min

Drive Alone Rate

71.9%

Public Transit

2.2%

Work From Home

10.5%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

21.7%

18-34 Years

22.0%

35-64 Years

38.8%

65+ Years

17.5%

Population Composition

Under 1821.7%

18-3422.0%

35-6438.8%

65+17.5%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

35.8%

Single Parent

8.2%

Living Alone

36.8%

Avg Size

2.41

Household Types

Married Couples35.8%

Single Parent8.2%

Living Alone36.8%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$38,238

SNAP Usage

16.3%

Health Insurance

90.7%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k22.1%

$25k - $50k19.4%

$50k - $100k27.6%

$100k+31.0%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

6.0%

Retail Trade

9.9%

Education & Health Care

25.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

15.6%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

90.7%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

87.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

94.0%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

92.6

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

129.7

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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