Louisiana Cities by Population 2026

479 cities

City
Rank
2026 Pop. ↓
2025 Pop.
Annual Change
Density
Area (mi²)
Type
New Orleans1352,364357,532-1.45%2,079170 City
Baton Rouge2218,223219,565-0.61%2,52686 City
Shreveport3171,469174,023-1.47%1,586108 City
Metairie4139,114139,0740.03%6,00723 CDP
Lafayette5122,695122,4870.17%2,17456 City
Lake Charles679,29380,225-1.16%1,67047 City
Kenner763,83064,240-0.64%4,28715 City
Bossier City863,47163,3440.2%1,43444 City
Monroe946,12346,372-0.54%1,54230 City
Alexandria1042,14642,639-1.16%1,48028 City
Prairieville1136,88336,2581.72%1,67722 CDP
Marrero1231,57231,670-0.31%4,3857 CDP
Houma1330,83331,252-1.34%2,13114 City
Central1430,46030,3100.49%48962 City
Slidell1528,34528,392-0.17%1,85615 City
Laplace1628,15928,266-0.38%1,34821 CDP
Terrytown1726,42726,2320.74%7,2134 CDP
New Iberia1826,07126,460-1.47%2,34011 City
Hammond1925,28524,3553.82%1,77414 City
Chalmette2023,76123,3231.88%3,3127 CDP
Bayou Cane2122,78622,5720.95%2,9938 CDP
Ruston2222,41722,3730.2%1,05821 City
Harvey2322,02421,9200.47%3,3956 CDP
Zachary2420,81220,5911.07%77527 City
Youngsville2520,53919,7883.8%1,63713 City
Sulphur2619,94820,260-1.54%1,77611 City
Gretna2716,89617,040-0.85%4,1864 City
Estelle2816,85016,8200.18%3,6335 CDP
Natchitoches2916,70616,935-1.35%72123 City
Broussard3016,19715,7542.81%89218 City
Thibodaux3115,40515,487-0.53%2,2687 City
Opelousas3214,87815,027-0.99%1,53810 City
Carencro3314,63813,7606.38%1,8638 City
Gonzales3414,61514,2262.73%1,5999 City
Luling3514,27814,1430.95%61323 CDP
Pineville3613,75813,862-0.75%1,09113 City
River Ridge3713,09513,120-0.19%4,6833 CDP
Mandeville3813,04613,0090.28%1,3949 City
Claiborne3912,91012,8220.69%1,29710 CDP
Gardere4012,48812,3680.97%3,7603 CDP
West Monroe4112,18812,332-1.17%1,5198 City
Baker4211,99912,073-0.61%1,4238 City
Destrehan4311,84411,8250.16%2,0626 CDP
Covington4411,74411,7150.25%1,4648 City
Woodmere4511,70511,728-0.2%3,2054 CDP
Moss Bluff4611,42711,435-0.07%75015 CDP
Timberlane4711,38311,3110.64%7,5682 CDP
Crowley4810,98511,100-1.04%1,8776 City
Bayou Blue4910,95611,044-0.8%47123 CDP
Minden5010,86111,028-1.51%72215 City
Abbeville5110,77010,836-0.61%1,7816 City
Waggaman5210,75610,7100.43%1,8766 CDP
Belle Chasse5310,66910,795-1.17%1,3068 CDP
Raceland5410,59210,5670.24%49122 CDP
Morgan City5510,51410,663-1.4%1,7576 City
Bogalusa5610,24010,303-0.61%1,07710 City
Scott5710,1129,7903.29%86212 City
Jefferson589,7059,798-0.95%3,5853 CDP
DeRidder599,3479,427-0.85%1,0069 City
Denham Springs609,3289,3240.04%1,2747 City
Jennings619,0219,150-1.41%85411 City
Merrydale629,0059,053-0.53%2,1224 CDP
Eunice638,8758,959-0.94%1,7275 City
Harahan648,6798,749-0.8%4,3012 City
Bastrop658,5788,750-1.97%1,0029 City
Prien668,3498,3150.41%1,5665 CDP
Westwego678,0768,153-0.94%2,5923 City
Eden Isle687,9177,8630.69%2,6073 CDP
Addis697,9127,7252.42%1,8824 Town
Meraux707,8797,7501.66%1,8994 CDP
Fort Polk South717,8297,905-0.96%1,2746 CDP
Ponchatoula727,6887,711-0.3%1,6295 City
Red Chute737,6857,5961.17%8339 CDP
Breaux Bridge747,6347,6080.34%9898 City
Bridge City757,1557,189-0.47%1,7124 CDP
St. Rose767,0757,140-0.91%1,0717 CDP
Donaldsonville777,0637,0040.84%1,8704 City
St. Gabriel787,0626,9591.48%23830 City
Reserve796,9417,118-2.49%47715 CDP
Rayne806,8536,918-0.94%1,8074 City
Lacombe816,4696,607-2.09%24526 CDP
Walker826,4196,4100.14%9737 Town
Oakdale836,4006,445-0.7%1,2335 City
Elmwood846,3426,2351.72%1,6804 CDP
Galliano856,3066,392-1.35%56611 CDP
Franklin866,0916,187-1.55%61110 City
Ville Platte876,0626,105-0.7%1,5094 City
Schriever885,8675,929-1.05%41214 CDP
Plaquemine895,8665,925-1%2,0073 City
Larose905,5995,712-1.98%51511 CDP
Gray915,5105,515-0.09%48011 CDP
Patterson925,4675,540-1.32%2,1663 City
Tallulah935,3905,533-2.58%1,9373 City
Chackbay945,3125,3040.15%19128 CDP
Carlyss955,3035,2630.76%47911 CDP
Avondale965,2575,2380.36%9466 CDP
Grambling975,2485,263-0.29%8836 City
Brownfields985,2315,242-0.21%1,2634 CDP
Leesville995,1785,258-1.52%5819 City
St. Martinville1005,1485,188-0.77%1,6243 City
Port Allen1015,0185,0040.28%1,7703 City
Cut Off1024,9685,031-1.25%33915 CDP
Swartz1034,7274,7150.25%5818 CDP
Marksville1044,6794,742-1.33%9725 City
Westlake1054,6254,680-1.18%1,2094 City
Arabi1064,6214,5591.36%2,6332 CDP
Haughton1074,6034,5880.33%8046 Town
Monticello1084,5634,601-0.83%1,9082 CDP
Winnsboro1094,4824,542-1.32%1,1214 City
Mansfield1104,4594,502-0.96%1,2214 City
Jeanerette1114,4384,497-1.31%1,9232 City
Berwick1124,3704,432-1.4%7416 Town
Springhill1134,3394,412-1.65%6986 City
Violet1144,3344,374-0.91%1,1044 CDP
New Roads1154,1744,234-1.42%9115 City
Amite City1164,1194,1020.41%1,0624 Town
Jena1174,1154,124-0.22%7485 Town
Kaplan1184,0794,121-1.02%1,7512 City
Eastwood1194,0494,051-0.05%6386 CDP
Jonesboro1203,9864,007-0.52%8225 Town
Church Point1213,9603,996-0.9%1,3683 Town
Hahnville1223,9373,9000.95%7086 CDP
Brownsville1233,9223,947-0.63%1,1293 CDP
Jackson1243,9063,919-0.33%8754 Town
Winnfield1253,9033,941-0.96%1,0724 City
Vidalia1263,8393,863-0.62%1,4803 Town
Richwood1273,7743,791-0.45%1,5003 Town
Bayou Vista1283,7653,820-1.44%2,0892 CDP
Ball1293,7273,764-0.98%4698 Town
Franklinton1303,5693,580-0.31%8174 Town
Maurice1313,5143,2926.74%1,2623 Village
Lakeshore1323,3843,2932.76%3,9861 CDP
Farmerville1333,3353,355-0.6%5776 Town
Blanchard1343,2843,327-1.29%9473 Town
Sunset1353,2623,2141.49%1,0113 Town
Welsh1363,2473,261-0.43%5146 Town
Rayville1373,1233,159-1.14%1,3522 Town
Bunkie1383,1043,143-1.24%1,0273 City
Lake Providence1393,0713,151-2.54%8544 Town
Greenwood1403,0593,075-0.52%3409 Town
Iowa1413,0153,082-2.17%8883 Town
New Orleans Station1422,9712,7856.68%5715 CDP
Vinton1432,9623,035-2.41%5815 Town
South Vacherie1442,9112,957-1.56%5735 CDP
Ferriday1452,8982,946-1.63%1,7792 Town
Vivian1462,8522,887-1.21%5176 Town
Sterlington1472,8372,6975.19%1,0023 Town
Abita Springs1482,8142,7831.11%6105 Town
Norco1492,8082,825-0.6%8143 CDP
Natalbany1502,8032,814-0.39%6334 CDP
Lutcher1512,7632,823-2.13%8203 Town
Mamou1522,7622,789-0.97%1,9601 Town
DeQuincy1532,7452,808-2.24%8603 City
Pearl River1542,7002,6731.01%7234 Town
Stonewall1552,6822,6033.03%3129 Town
Erwinville1562,6632,6341.1%28010 CDP
Grand Point1572,6292,6200.34%6124 CDP
Gramercy1582,6202,669-1.84%1,3022 Town
Brusly1592,5992,5950.15%1,1742 Town
Des Allemands1602,5792,5740.19%25910 CDP
Lake Arthur1612,5502,557-0.27%1,3752 Town
Lafourche Crossing1622,5402,5061.36%6034 CDP
Arcadia1632,5022,540-1.5%6864 Town
Delhi1642,4892,511-0.88%8673 Town
Homer1652,4792,521-1.67%5335 Town
Chauvin1662,4432,472-1.17%5135 CDP
Many1672,4242,447-0.94%7113 Town
Bawcomville1682,4152,488-2.93%7633 CDP
Poydras1692,4052,4020.12%6154 CDP
Bourg1702,3412,356-0.64%4156 CDP
Lockport1712,2812,316-1.51%2,0131 Town
Montz1722,2552,2340.94%8153 CDP
Bayou L'Ourse1732,2482,2310.76%8253 CDP
Kentwood1742,2152,2050.45%3127 Town
Pierre Part1752,1402,204-2.9%6963 CDP
Benton1762,1232,1110.57%8443 Town
Paulina1772,1152,0562.87%4585 CDP
Boutte1782,1002,161-2.82%15214 CDP
Amelia1792,0922,115-1.09%8303 CDP
Garyville1802,0792,124-2.12%14614 CDP
Kinder1812,0582,075-0.82%3726 Town
Livingston1822,0312,0051.3%6303 Town
New Llano1831,9912,027-1.78%7453 Town
Erath1841,9241,940-0.82%1,0952 Town
Milton1851,9141,983-3.48%4125 CDP
Cottonport1861,9111,931-1.04%9532 Town
Presquille1871,9031,8970.32%2,4301 CDP
Ossun1881,8931,909-0.84%5583 CDP
Haynesville1891,8481,877-1.55%3835 Town
Fort Polk North1901,8421,906-3.36%2208 CDP
North Vacherie1911,8381,869-1.66%3276 CDP
Jean Lafitte1921,8181,8160.11%3116 Town
Vienna Bend1931,7951,7611.93%8322 CDP
Cade1941,7871,7830.22%2667 CDP
Delcambre1951,7581,765-0.4%1,5371 Town
Woodworth1961,7521,7500.11%1979 Town
Port Barre1971,7341,737-0.17%1,6091 Town
Independence1981,6611,6570.24%6892 Town
Baldwin1991,6241,644-1.22%5053 Town
Sorrento2001,6191,6040.94%4444 Town
Watson2011,6081,5732.23%1,6771 CDP
Henderson2021,6051,6050%5373 Town
Coushatta2031,5861,613-1.67%4753 Town
Paincourtville2041,5811,5392.73%9092 CDP
Zwolle2051,5811,589-0.5%3475 Town
Golden Meadow2061,5741,604-1.87%6432 Town
White Castle2071,5621,587-1.58%2,1311 Town
Pine Prairie2081,5481,553-0.32%9602 Village
Wallace2091,5471,4933.62%2406 CDP
Ama2101,5091,4970.8%4314 CDP
Belle Rose2111,4981,524-1.71%2795 CDP
Banks Springs2121,4871,4691.23%4743 CDP
Jonesville2131,4851,523-2.5%7732 Town
Lockport Heights2141,4771,4650.82%1,1301 CDP
Port Sulphur2151,4761,493-1.14%2735 CDP
St. Francisville2161,4561,470-0.95%7982 Town
Minorca2171,4531,507-3.58%3254 CDP
Mathews2181,4341,482-3.24%3604 CDP
Ventress2191,4251,3922.37%7032 CDP
Cecilia2201,4101,446-2.49%6662 CDP
Rosepine2211,4101,427-1.19%5812 Town
Simmesport2221,3841,397-0.93%6332 Town
Bayou Country Club2231,3781,379-0.07%1,7711 CDP
Colfax2241,3781,387-0.65%9241 Town
Duson2251,3391,340-0.07%4453 Town
Logansport2261,3311,332-0.08%3923 Town
Bayou Gauche2271,3231,369-3.36%10313 CDP
Edgard2281,3091,379-5.08%11511 CDP
Oak Grove2291,3081,329-1.58%7612 Town
Killian2301,2931,2731.57%11911 Town
Olla2311,2921,293-0.08%3294 Town
Ringgold2321,2801,298-1.39%5532 Town
Clinton2331,2791,288-0.7%4673 Town
Bernice2341,2781,291-1.01%3953 Town
Empire2351,2701,2531.36%2435 CDP
Oberlin2361,2671,277-0.78%2894 Town
Albany2371,2501,2480.16%9331 Town
Perry2381,2481,1706.67%7152 CDP
Mansura2391,2431,256-1.04%4363 Town
Iota2401,2321,244-0.96%9701 Town
Labadieville2411,2021,242-3.22%3094 CDP
Montegut2421,2001,222-1.8%2854 CDP
French Settlement2431,1921,1721.71%4373 Village
Basile2441,1761,181-0.42%1,0141 Town
Fifth Ward2451,1741,1512%2265 CDP
Crescent2461,1581,1461.05%6952 CDP
Lydia2471,1581,1451.14%6812 CDP
Charenton2481,1551,201-3.83%2335 CDP
Deville2491,1451,184-3.29%8713 CDP
New Sarpy2501,1391,159-1.73%8391 CDP
Livonia2511,1371,149-1.04%6002 Town
Urania2521,1231,125-0.18%8191 Town
Gueydan2531,1051,114-0.81%1,2141 Town
Sibley2541,0531,065-1.13%2714 Town
Choudrant2551,0471,0370.96%2474 Village
Egan2561,0431,0182.46%2155 CDP
Clarks2571,0261,030-0.39%1,0691 Village
Glenmora2581,0081,021-1.27%5832 Town
Lawtell2591,0081,020-1.18%2434 CDP
Arnaudville2609989980%1,4381 Town
Grand Isle261984987-0.3%1546 Town
Kraemer2629779740.31%1865 CDP
Slaughter263975982-0.71%1785 Town
Elton264973976-0.31%5862 Town
Start2659499470.21%2704 CDP
Merryville266937943-0.64%9610 Town
Moreauville267918927-0.97%3033 Village
Dubach268900901-0.11%4952 Town
Roseland2698978940.34%4322 Town
Madisonville2708898820.79%3523 Town
Leonville2718848820.23%3243 Town
Plain Dealing272867871-0.46%5492 Town
Campti273866869-0.35%8311 Town
Krotz Springs274863869-0.69%4992 Town
Boyce275861866-0.58%1,7021 Town
Folsom2768568421.66%4302 Village
Oil City277852859-0.81%4532 Town
Fordoche278840851-1.29%3452 Town
Lakeview279822830-0.96%9961 CDP
Hester2808167962.51%2363 CDP
Lecompte281812817-0.61%7641 Town
Simsboro2828088070.12%2323 Village
Newellton283797812-1.85%1,0501 Town
Maringouin284792806-1.74%1,0731 Town
Centerville2857917426.6%8401 CDP
Gillis2867877791.03%4722 CDP
Anacoco287779790-1.39%2533 Village
Roanoke2887657511.86%1,7870 CDP
Grand Coteau289756760-0.53%3122 Town
St. Joseph290754766-1.57%8471 Town
Midway291751784-4.21%2483 CDP
Welcome292740743-0.4%1635 CDP
Hessmer293735742-0.94%8891 Village
Gibsland294732739-0.95%2783 Town
Melville295732736-0.54%5831 Town
Wisner296732738-0.81%9201 Town
Hackberry297731764-4.32%2628 CDP
Cotton Valley298726736-1.36%2763 Town
Port Vincent2997227091.83%4242 Village
Buras300714728-1.92%3112 CDP
Washington301695703-1.14%8401 Town
Tickfaw3026926880.58%4282 Village
Mooringsport303682692-1.45%5301 Town
Center Point3046806691.64%1445 CDP
Sorrel305679684-0.73%3212 CDP
Estherwood306669674-0.74%3592 Village
Sarepta307663671-1.19%4062 Town
Cullen308660670-1.49%5721 Town
Wallace Ridge309648652-0.61%937 CDP
Loreauville310644646-0.31%1,4440 Village
Lemannville311638652-2.15%6301 CDP
Doyline312637643-0.93%1913 Village
Rosedale313636639-0.47%828 Village
Point Place3146336182.43%6491 CDP
Parks315627629-0.32%7421 Village
Montgomery3166256250%3032 Town
Greensburg317620622-0.32%2463 Town
Forest Hill3186146130.16%1634 Village
Supreme319610638-4.39%1803 CDP
Echo3206035656.73%3462 CDP
Pleasant Hill321602604-0.33%3732 Village
Morse3226005990.17%4281 Village
Oretta3235995881.87%2722 CDP
Mangham324598602-0.66%5381 Town
Convent325593600-1.17%1534 CDP
Barataria326591623-5.14%1384 CDP
Marion327590595-0.84%1843 Town
Reddell328590599-1.5%1554 CDP
Cankton3295805800%2842 Village
Paradis330573618-7.28%896 CDP
Florien331538540-0.37%2412 Village
Simpson332534541-1.29%668 Village
Grosse Tete333532535-0.56%3631 Village
Clayton334528536-1.49%3342 Town
Ridgecrest335520529-1.7%1,2090 Town
Siracusaville3365165101.18%6461 CDP
Provencal337500504-0.79%2032 Village
Morganza338491496-1.01%4071 Village
Prospect3394914900.2%3331 CDP
Martin340490495-1.01%4212 Village
Waterproof341489499-2%7021 Town
Napoleonville342488497-1.81%2,9050 Village
Mermentau343484490-1.22%2272 Village
Natchez344480481-0.21%4651 Village
Chatham345475477-0.42%4811 Town
Vienna346475476-0.21%1373 Town
Springfield3474704631.51%3351 Town
Tangipahoa3484614551.32%4591 Village
Richmond349459467-1.71%2772 Village
Longville350458469-2.35%806 CDP
Spokane3514514500.22%1922 CDP
Dry Prong352439441-0.45%3171 Village
Mer Rouge353438446-1.79%3741 Village
Pitkin354433442-2.04%706 CDP
Cheneyville355430435-1.15%4231 Town
Gilbert356428431-0.7%4081 Village
Grayson357422426-0.94%3321 Village
Good Pine3584163906.67%5411 CDP
Elizabeth3594084080%2482 Village
Goldonna360406409-0.73%3113 Village
Junction City361406411-1.22%3301 Village
Hornbeck362401405-0.99%3481 Town
Sun3634014000.25%944 Village
Turkey Creek3643983980%1612 Village
Boothville365395424-6.84%1842 CDP
Pollock366392393-0.25%508 Town
Pointe a la Hache3673803683.26%2162 CDP
Converse368375376-0.27%1722 Village
Union369375407-7.86%3910 CDP
Dulac370369437-15.56%2316 CDP
Fort Jesup371369377-2.12%864 CDP
Hodge372365368-0.82%3771 Village
Wilson3733643610.83%1343 Village
Lafitte374347386-10.1%725 CDP
South Mansfield3753413400.29%5021 Village
Rock Hill3763393351.19%884 CDP
Choctaw377330364-9.34%536 CDP
Epps378328333-1.5%3401 Village
Midland3793273076.51%1,6270 CDP
Branch380326330-1.21%447 CDP
Kilbourne381322327-1.53%2321 Village
Sicily Island382317325-2.46%5521 Village
Varnado383316317-0.32%3721 Village
Clarence384311313-0.64%1982 Village
Creola3853042933.75%7410 Village
Lewisburg3862982796.81%5921 CDP
Tullos387298300-0.67%1882 Town
St. James388295328-10.06%358 CDP
Dodson3892922920%1163 Village
North Hodge390287288-0.35%4231 Village
Bayou Goula391280300-6.67%1152 CDP
Forest392279282-1.06%1672 Village
Pleasure Bend3932762740.73%664 CDP
Georgetown3942732730%2101 Village
Venice3952722681.49%2711 CDP
Dixie Inn396270274-1.46%5570 Village
Rio3972672506.8%2361 CDP
Norwood398264266-0.75%654 Village
St. Maurice399263266-1.13%397 CDP
Columbia400260263-1.14%3401 Town
Hall Summit401260262-0.76%1552 Village
Chataignier4022582580%4111 Village
Bayou Corne4032572416.64%7100 CDP
Catahoula404255307-16.94%833 CDP
Harrisonburg405253257-1.56%2611 Village
Saline406253255-0.78%2131 Village
Angie4072502500%1632 Village
Keachi4082492480.4%495 Town
Lebeau4092492336.87%674 CDP
Monterey410249261-4.6%883 CDP
Calhoun411248275-9.82%1052 CDP
Collinston412246250-1.6%2181 Village
Lucky413237239-0.84%298 Village
Calvin414236237-0.42%1032 Village
Dubberly415233235-0.85%594 Village
Belcher416232234-0.85%1472 Village
Hosston417232233-0.43%873 Village
Bordelonville418230248-7.26%534 CDP
Athens419225227-0.88%644 Village
Jordan Hill4202252240.45%347 CDP
Dorseyville4212222086.73%1,4610 CDP
Castor422221222-0.45%1861 Village
Reeves4232212210%912 Village
Moonshine4242192170.92%6020 CDP
Starks425216244-11.48%633 CDP
Joyce426215226-4.87%743 CDP
Grand Cane427214215-0.47%1891 Village
Singer428211215-1.86%307 CDP
Fenton429210213-1.41%4330 Village
Baskin4302072070%1551 Village
Delta431207210-1.43%474 Village
Plaucheville432207209-0.96%1372 Village
Noble4332052040.49%1981 Village
Evergreen434203205-0.98%1991 Town
Ida435203206-1.46%1431 Village
Heflin436202203-0.49%1062 Village
Darrow4372011886.91%9710 CDP
East Hodge438198199-0.5%8460 Village
McNary4391981980%1072 Village
Montpelier4401951950%1042 Village
Fisher441185186-0.54%3001 Village
Ashland442184185-0.54%727 Village
Bienville443182183-0.55%1611 Village
Rodessa444181182-0.55%1501 Village
Edgefield445180183-1.64%7260 Village
Lisbon446160162-1.23%1213 Village
Quitman4471581580%1691 Village
Bonita448155157-1.27%1151 Village
Pioneer4491541530.65%1421 Village
Hayes450151190-20.53%543 CDP
Atlanta451149150-0.67%1381 Village
Shongaloo452140141-0.71%188 Village
Eros4531361350.74%1371 Town
Stanley4541301300%602 Village
Cameron455124142-12.68%1111 CDP
Taft4561241175.98%255 CDP
Longstreet4571211200.83%592 Village
Spearsville458118119-0.84%502 Village
Robeline459117118-0.85%981 Village
Gilliam460114115-0.87%482 Village
Glencoe461114120-5%1721 CDP
Lillie4621141140%592 Village
Sikes4631121120%722 Village
Downsville464109111-1.8%1471 Village
Oak Ridge465106109-2.75%1071 Village
Lacassine466105128-17.97%602 CDP
Morrow467100937.53%941 CDP
Powhatan46899100-1%1841 Village
Belmont46998114-14.04%1010 CDP
Palmetto47097961.04%1091 Village
Jamestown47190900%512 Village
Bryceland47288880%382 Village
Gloster47384787.69%671 CDP
Triumph4747180-11.25%263 CDP
Mount Lebanon4756162-1.61%154 Town
Marthaville47660575.26%531 CDP
Killona47755101-45.54%691 CDP
Delacroix47817166.25%770 CDP
Mound47910100%191 Village
LA State Flag

About Louisiana

Louisiana’s local governance is distinct, with 64 parishes replacing traditional counties, and over 300 municipalities providing local governance. Parishes, each governed by elected police juries or parish councils, manage regional services, with municipalities handling more localized needs.

Orleans Parish, encompassing New Orleans, operates under a consolidated city-parish government, with a strong-mayor system where the mayor holds executive authority over services like policing, sanitation, and public housing. The New Orleans City Council, representing districts within the parish, legislates on budgets, zoning, and policies, reflecting the unique challenges of an urban parish with both municipal and parish responsibilities.

Louisiana’s smaller cities, such as Shreveport and Lake Charles, commonly use mayor-council or council-manager systems. In these setups, mayors or appointed managers oversee administrative duties while city councils set policies. This structure provides flexibility, allowing smaller municipalities to align governance with their community’s needs while relying on parish support.

Rural parishes, like those in Tensas Parish and Concordia Parish, often rely on police juries, an elected body that oversees services like road maintenance, emergency management, and land use planning. These parishes manage large unincorporated areas where county-like services are essential for residents in sparsely populated regions.

Unincorporated areas, especially in rural parishes, fall under parish governance, where police juries coordinate services and infrastructure. Communities without formal municipal governments rely on the parish for essential functions such as policing, public health, and zoning.

Louisiana’s regional planning agencies work with parishes and municipalities on issues like flood control, land use, and economic development. These agencies support local governments in addressing challenges unique to Louisiana‘s geography, such as coastal erosion and disaster preparedness.

Biggest City

New Orleans is the biggest city in Louisiana, with a population of 352,364 in 2026.

Fastest Growing City

Gloster is the fastest growing city in Louisiana over the past 6 years, having grown 7.69% annually since 2020.