Opelousas, LA Demographics

A map of Opelousas's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Black	11,847	12,183	76.5%	77.2%
White	2,530	2,799	16.3%	17.7%
Multiracial	555	348	3.6%	2.2%
Hispanic	443	257	2.9%	1.6%
Native American/Other	116	83	0.7%	0.5%
Asian	4	116	0.0%	0.7%

Opelousas, Louisiana has an estimated population of 15,495, a slight decrease from the 15,786 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.5% Black, 16.3% White, 3.6% Multiracial, 2.9% Hispanic, 0.7% Native American/Other, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Opelousas, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Opelousas has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Louisiana overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Opelousas, that probability was 37.2% in 2020 and 38.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Opelousas is ranked the 32nd most populous place in Louisiana, out of 489 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Opelousas was ranked the 32nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Opelousas's White Population

2,530 residents of Opelousas, or 16.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Opelousas is significantly lower than in Louisiana overall, where 55.7% of the population is White. Opelousas ranks 452nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Opelousas's White population has declined by an estimated 9.6%. White residents' share of Opelousas's population has decreased from 17.7% to 16.3%.

Opelousas is less White than neighboring Washington (31% White), Lawtell (58.2% White), Grand Coteau (28.9% White), Leonville (63.3% White), and Sunset (54.6% White).

Opelousas's Black Population

11,847 residents of Opelousas, or 76.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Opelousas is significantly higher than in Louisiana overall, where 30.5% of the population is Black. Opelousas ranks 35th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Opelousas's Black population has declined by an estimated 2.8%. Black residents' share of Opelousas's population has decreased from 77.2% to 76.5%.

Opelousas is more Black than neighboring Washington (56.6% Black), Lawtell (36.1% Black), Grand Coteau (69.9% Black), Leonville (17.4% Black), and Sunset (30.8% Black).

Opelousas's Asian Population

4 residents of Opelousas, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Opelousas is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Opelousas ranks 148th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Opelousas's Asian population has declined by an estimated 96.6%. Asian residents' share of Opelousas's population has decreased from 0.7% to 0.0%.

Opelousas is less Asian than neighboring Grand Coteau (0.2% Asian), and Sunset (12.2% Asian).

Opelousas's Hispanic Population

443 residents of Opelousas, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Opelousas is slightly lower than in Louisiana overall, where 7.2% of the population is Hispanic. Opelousas ranks 376th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Opelousas's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 72.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Opelousas's population has increased from 1.6% to 2.9%.

Opelousas is more Hispanic than neighboring Washington (1.4% Hispanic), Lawtell (0% Hispanic), Grand Coteau (0.4% Hispanic), and Sunset (0.9% Hispanic). Opelousas is less Hispanic than neighboring Leonville (5.7% Hispanic).

Opelousas's Native American/Other Population

116 residents of Opelousas, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Opelousas is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Opelousas ranks 298th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Opelousas's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 39.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Opelousas's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Opelousas is more Native American/Other than neighboring Washington (0% Native American/Other), Grand Coteau (0% Native American/Other), Leonville (0% Native American/Other), and Sunset (0.2% Native American/Other). Opelousas is less Native American/Other than neighboring Lawtell (5.6% Native American/Other).

Opelousas's Multiracial Population

555 residents of Opelousas, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Opelousas is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Opelousas ranks 387th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Opelousas's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 59.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Opelousas's population has increased from 2.2% to 3.6%.

Opelousas is more Multiracial than neighboring Lawtell (0% Multiracial), Grand Coteau (0.6% Multiracial), and Sunset (1.1% Multiracial). Opelousas is less Multiracial than neighboring Washington (11% Multiracial), and Leonville (13.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.