The Biggest Cities In Louisiana

Shreveport, Louisiana.
Shreveport, Louisiana.
  • As per the most recent data, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Metairie, and Lafayette rank as the five most populous cities in Louisiana. 
  • New Orleans was founded by French colonists 1718 and has grown to become an important port city and one of the country’s major hubs of commerce and trade.
  • New Orleans is the largest municipality in Louisiana in terms of both population and land area at 349 square miles. In contrast, Mound is the state’s smallest municipality by population, and Napoleonville is the smallest by area.

The US state of Louisiana is located in the southern part of the country. With an area of 52,377 square miles (135,655 square km) and a population of approximately 4.649 million, Louisiana ranks as the country’s 33rd largest state in terms of area and the 25th most populous. The state is subdivided into 64 parishes, which are similar to counties, and contains 303 incorporated municipalities. Of these municipalities, 304 are villages, towns, or cities. Although the municipalities encompass a combined area that makes up only 7.9% of the state's total land area, they contain 45.3% of the state’s population.

Municipalities in Louisiana are classified according to population. Those with a population of less than 1,000 are classified as villages, those with a population greater than 1,000 and less than 5,000 people are classified as towns, while cities are municipalities with a minimum population of 5,000.

The 10 most populated cities in Louisiana are:

  1. New Orleans - 390,128
  2. Baton Rouge - 216,701
  3. Shreveport - 183,819
  4.  Metairie - 143,481
  5.  Lafayette - 124,561
  6. Lake Charles - 80,169
  7. Bossier City - 68,915
  8. Kenner - 66,351
  9. Monroe - 46,737
  10. Alexandria - 45,808

The 5 smallest municipalities in Louisiana are:

  1. Mound - 16
  2. Bayou Come - 18
  3. Taft - 63
  4. Sugartown - 69
  5. Mount Lebanon - 71

More About Louisiana's Biggest Cities

1. New Orleans - 390,128

New Orleans, Louisiana. Image credit: f11photo/Shutterstock

New Orleans is Louisiana’s most populous city. It is located in the southeastern region of the state, along the banks of the Mississippi River. Classified as a consolidated city-parish, the city of New Orleans and Orleans Parish have merged: they have the same powers and responsibilities of both a city and a county, and share the same boundaries. New Orleans was founded by French colonists 1718 and has grown to become an important port city and one of the country’s major hubs of commerce and trade. The city is famous for its Creole cuisine, distinct music scene, and its many festivals, such as Mardi Gras.

2. Baton Rouge - 216,701

Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Image credit: CrackerClips Stock Media/Shutterstock

Baton Rouge is Louisiana’s second-biggest city. It is located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River and serves as the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish. Founded by French colonists in 1719 as a military post, the city now serves as the state capital of Louisiana. Baton Rouge is a major industrial center in the American South and is home to Louisiana State University. It also has a thriving research and development industry, as well as a growing technology industry.

3. Shreveport - 183,819

Shreveport, Louisiana. Image credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Shreveport is Louisiana’s third most populous city. It is the country’s 126th largest city by population and serves as the parish seat of Caddo Parish. Shreveport is separated from Bossier City by the Red River, and both cities form part of the Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan area. The city was founded by the Shreve Town Company in 1836 and became a major hub of the oil industry during the 20th century. However, after a loss of jobs in that industry, Shreveport suffered a period of population decline and other issues such as increased rates of crime and violence. Today, the city's economy has stabilized once again and has largely transitioned into a service economy.

4. Metairie - 143,481

Metairie, Louisiana. Image credit: Suzanne C. Grim/Shutterstock

Metairie is a city in Jefferson Parish and the fourth biggest city in Louisiana. French settlers first came here in 1721, settling along a road commonly used by the Indigenous peoples of this area. That road is now the oldest road in the New Orleans area, called Metairie Road, and it was paved in the 1920s. This city made headlines in 1990 when white supremacist David Duke was elected to the state legislature by one of its districts for one term.

5. Lafayette - 124,561

Lafayette, Louisiana. Image credit: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

The city of Lafayette is Louisiana's fifth-biggest city. It is located in the southwestern part of the state, along the Vermilion River, and serves as the parish seat of Lafayette Parish.

The Smallest Municipality in Louisiana

New Orleans is the largest municipality in Louisiana in terms of both population and land area at 349 square miles. In contrast, Mound is the state’s smallest municipality by population, and Napoleonville is the smallest by area. Mound has a population of only 16 residents and Napoleonville covers an area of just 0.17 square miles.

The Biggest Cities in Louisiana by Population

RankName2020 Population2010 PopulationChangeDensity (km²)
1New Orleans390,128347,77012.18%889
2Baton Rouge216,701229,369-5.52%968
3Shreveport183,819200,869-8.49%661
4Metairie143,481138,4813.61%2,382
5Lafayette124,561121,8342.24%867
6Lake Charles80,16972,39310.74%690
7Bossier City68,91562,11710.94%612
8Kenner66,35166,689-0.51%1,722
9Monroe46,73748,942-4.51%616
10Alexandria45,80847,967-4.50%621
11Marrero32,08833,141-3.18%1,721
12Houma31,84233,625-5.30%852
13Prairieville31,72126,89517.94%557
14Central29,17226,9208.37%181
15Laplace29,14729,872-2.43%539
16New Iberia28,05330,617-8.37%972
17Slidell27,66127,2641.46%697
18Terrytown24,24423,3193.97%2,553
19Chalmette23,60216,75140.90%1,270
20Ruston22,15121,9271.02%405
21Bayou Cane20,82919,3557.62%1,058
22Hammond20,82019,9944.13%573
23Harvey20,71220,3481.79%1,233
24Sulphur20,19820,476-1.36%695
25Shenandoah20,19218,3999.75%1,258
26Zachary18,27815,23819.95%271
27Natchitoches17,70718,521-4.40%301
28Gretna17,64017,736-0.54%1,688
29Estelle17,09916,3774.41%1,423
30Opelousas15,87616,759-5.27%773
31Thibodaux15,05614,4933.88%949
32Youngsville14,9838,39778.43%479
33Pineville14,33214,521-1.30%439
34Luling13,61412,11912.34%226
35Belle Chasse13,49012,6796.40%209
36Broussard13,3288,42758.16%293
37River Ridge13,24113,494-1.87%1,829
38Baker13,02613,884-6.18%598
39Crowley12,36513,269-6.81%816
40Mandeville12,34411,9523.28%669
41West Monroe12,08313,102-7.78%581
42Moss Bluff12,03411,5574.13%305
43Abbeville11,91912,226-2.51%761
44Bogalusa11,70612,208-4.11%476
45Minden11,68813,072-10.59%300
46Bayou Blue11,68212,352-5.42%194
47Claiborne11,43511,507-0.63%443
48Destrehan10,93311,535-5.22%707
49Gonzales10,8939,81410.99%460
50Covington10,8678,87022.51%520
51Gardere10,84110,5802.47%1,260
52Raceland10,68610,1934.84%191
53Woodmere10,45812,080-13.43%1,106
54DeRidder10,41410,636-2.09%436
55Jefferson10,34111,193-7.61%1,475
56Timberlane10,19210,243-0.50%2,617
57Morgan City10,16412,369-17.83%656
58Bastrop10,15211,311-10.25%441
59Waggaman9,86610,015-1.49%692
60Jennings9,85610,384-5.08%366
61Eunice9,81710,401-5.61%738
62Carencro9,5357,69123.98%470
63Harahan9,2869,2590.29%1,782
64Reserve9,2809,766-4.98%246
65Fort Polk South9,2339,0382.16%579
66Denham Springs9,13710,364-11.84%484
67Oak Hills Place9,0158,19510.01%1,118
68Merrydale8,8089,772-9.86%801
69Scott8,5748,4891.00%284
70Lacombe8,5038,679-2.03%124
71Donaldsonville8,4237,43913.23%858
72Westwego8,3608,535-2.05%1,036
73Breaux Bridge8,2238,1500.90%411
74Rayne8,1077,9422.08%825
75Old Jefferson8,0656,98015.54%885
76Prien7,9767,8102.13%564
77St. Rose7,6658,122-5.63%467
78Ponchatoula7,6016,57215.66%620
79Eden Isle7,5547,0417.29%963
80St. Gabriel7,5416,67612.96%98
81Larose7,5297,4001.74%267
82Oakdale7,5107,769-3.33%558
83Meraux7,2965,81625.45%679
84Galliano7,1317,676-7.10%247
85Ville Platte6,9717,420-6.05%670
86Village St. George6,9007,104-2.87%1,193
87Bridge City6,8947,706-10.54%637
88Inniswold6,7776,1809.66%1,168
89Plaquemine6,6057,111-7.12%873
90Tallulah6,5907,336-10.17%914
91Red Chute6,4686,2613.31%271
92Schriever6,4076,853-6.51%173
93Franklin6,3487,640-16.91%247
94Walker6,0486,117-1.13%355
95Addis6,0363,63965.87%554
96Cut Off5,8975,976-1.32%156
97Gray5,8935,5845.53%195
98St. Martinville5,8796,105-3.70%735
99Patterson5,6176,113-8.11%859
100Chackbay5,5735,1777.65%75
101Elmwood5,5254,63519.20%565
102Violet5,4244,9739.07%533
103Leesville5,3996,551-17.59%368
104Marksville5,3555,701-6.07%430
105Grambling5,1545,0033.02%337
106Brownfields5,0925,401-5.72%475
107Jeanerette5,0425,527-8.78%843
108Avondale4,9894,9540.71%347
109Carlyss4,9534,6706.06%173
110Eastwood4,9104,09319.96%299
111Westlake4,8874,5537.34%512
112Port Allen4,8705,202-6.38%663
113Springhill4,6725,265-11.26%290
114Swartz4,6614,5362.76%221
115Bayou Vista4,5674,652-1.83%979
116New Roads4,5514,825-5.68%383
117Amite City4,5474,1529.51%453
118Mansfield4,5364,981-8.93%480
119Winnsboro4,5054,915-8.34%435
120Jonesboro4,5014,710-4.44%359
121Arabi4,5013,63523.82%990
122Monticello4,4795,172-13.40%723
123Kaplan4,3784,606-4.95%726
124Church Point4,3574,597-5.22%581
125Berwick4,2054,938-14.84%275
126Winnfield4,2024,833-13.06%446
127Ball3,9823,994-0.30%193
128Bunkie3,8834,176-7.02%496
129Brownsville3,8574,317-10.66%428
130Vidalia3,8264,297-10.96%570
131Franklinton3,7863,845-1.53%334
132Jackson3,6953,831-3.55%320
133Farmerville3,6893,930-6.13%246
134South Vacherie3,5653,642-2.11%269
135Vivian3,4653,685-5.97%243
136Rayville3,4503,698-6.71%577
137Hahnville3,4303,3442.57%238
138Haughton3,4263,466-1.15%231
139Lake Providence3,4173,979-14.12%367
140Richwood3,3243,3210.09%509
141Jena3,3153,401-2.53%233
142Gramercy3,2803,577-8.30%629
143Welsh3,2793,2311.49%200
144Vinton3,2773,404-3.73%248
145Iowa3,1952,9976.61%387
146Lutcher3,1653,545-10.72%363
147Ferriday3,1553,516-10.27%748
148Mamou3,1393,261-3.74%860
149Greenwood3,1113,230-3.68%133
150Blanchard3,0972,9096.46%299
151DeQuincy3,0223,228-6.38%365
152Grand Point2,9962,47321.15%269
153Boutte2,9523,075-4.00%83
154Norco2,9173,074-5.11%327
155Sunset2,9102,8950.52%361
156Westminster2,8193,008-6.28%970
157Lake Arthur2,8082,7432.37%585
158Delhi2,7902,940-5.10%375
159Sterlington2,7841,61472.49%381
160Homer2,7543,227-14.66%229
161Pearl River2,6882,41811.17%282
162Poydras2,6682,35113.48%264
163Many2,6662,848-6.39%296
164Brusly2,6522,6051.80%463
165Mathews2,6492,20919.92%257
166Abita Springs2,6462,36811.74%223
167Arcadia2,6422,981-11.37%280
168Bawcomville2,5923,588-27.76%316
169Bourg2,5912,5790.47%177
170Chauvin2,5792,912-11.44%209
171Stonewall2,4861,84934.45%113
172Kentwood2,4812,20612.47%135
173Fort Polk North2,4252,864-15.33%112
174Natalbany2,3882,984-19.97%208
175Lockport2,3722,579-8.03%1,437
176Kinder2,3572,470-4.57%165
177Milton2,3303,030-23.10%194
178Pierre Part2,3193,169-26.82%291
179Lafourche Crossing2,2702,00213.39%208
180Montz2,2191,91815.69%397
181Port Sulphur2,1751,76023.58%153
182Erwinville2,1682,192-1.09%105
183New Llano2,1432,621-18.24%309
184Baldwin2,1382,430-12.02%257
185Benton2,1311,9638.56%381
186Port Barre2,1202,0981.05%760
187Labadieville2,0921,85412.84%207
188Montegut2,0841,54035.32%192
189Jean Lafitte2,0821,9069.23%137
190Simmesport2,0722,162-4.16%366
191North Vacherie2,0712,346-11.72%142
192Edgard2,0532,441-15.90%70
193Bayou Gauche2,0312,071-1.93%61
194Erath2,0272,114-4.12%445
195Haynesville2,0122,320-13.28%161
196Garyville1,9972,811-28.96%54
197Jonesville1,9932,256-11.66%401
198Cecilia1,9871,9800.35%362
199Cade1,9671,72314.16%113
200Independence1,9421,75910.40%311
201Livingston1,9311,7808.48%231
202Lakeshore1,9181,930-0.62%869
203Golden Meadow1,9102,110-9.48%302
204Zwolle1,8961,981-4.29%160
205Cottonport1,8942,010-5.77%365
206Ossun1,8702,144-12.78%213
207Delcambre1,8461,862-0.86%609
208Belle Rose1,8461,902-2.94%133
209Henderson1,8041,6976.31%262
210Basile1,7991,820-1.15%599
211Paradis1,7591,29835.52%106
212Duson1,7541,7490.29%226
213Maurice1,7511,10458.61%243
214Coushatta1,7281,963-11.97%200
215Sorrento1,7131,42919.87%181
216Oberlin1,7051,765-3.40%150
217Minorca1,7032,317-26.50%147
218White Castle1,6931,880-9.95%892
219Charenton1,6881,903-11.30%131
220Lockport Heights1,6831,28630.87%497
221Amelia1,6472,459-33.02%252
222Des Allemands1,5972,505-36.25%62
223Presquille1,5951,807-11.73%787
224St. Francisville1,5921,759-9.49%338
225Bernice1,5921,693-5.97%191
226Bayou L'Ourse1,5641,978-20.93%222
227Logansport1,5541,5500.26%177
228Oak Grove1,5351,721-10.81%345
229Rosepine1,5211,704-10.74%242
230Dulac1,5041,4632.80%36
231Grand Isle1,4931,30314.58%90
232Clinton1,4771,641-9.99%208
233Colfax1,4761,557-5.20%382
234Lakeview1,46794854.75%673
235Pine Prairie1,4491,476-1.83%347
236Lawtell1,4411,19820.28%134
237Livonia1,4341,445-0.76%292
238Iota1,4211,500-5.27%432
239Hackberry1,4211,26112.69%20
240New Sarpy1,3931,464-4.85%474
241Banks Springs1,3781,19215.60%170
242Mansura1,3681,460-6.30%185
243Ama1,3661,3163.80%151
244Gueydan1,3381,400-4.43%566
245Ringgold1,3361,489-10.28%223
246Glenmora1,3231,345-1.64%295
247Olla1,3191,389-5.04%129
248Roseland1,3171,12716.86%245
249Bayou Country Club1,2981,396-7.02%604
250Urania1,2751,313-2.89%359
251Killian1,2551,2073.98%45
252Midway1,2451,291-3.56%159
253Vienna Bend1,2281,251-1.84%220
254Krotz Springs1,2071,2000.58%270
255Watson1,1931,04713.94%480
256Catahoula1,1931,0949.05%150
257Deville1,1591,764-34.30%34
258Elton1,1431,1281.33%268
259Lecom1,1401,226-7.01%414
260French Settlement1,1381,1112.43%161
261Sibley1,1241,218-7.72%112
262Woodworth1,1231,1150.72%49
263Hayes1,10678041.79%154
264Albany1,1061,0881.65%331
265Leonville1,1041,0891.38%156
266Merryville1,0881,109-1.89%43
267Paulina1,0851,178-7.89%91
268Lemannville1,07886025.35%411
269Empire1,0609936.75%78
270Estherwood1,05489218.16%218
271Cam1,0521,055-0.28%390
272Cullen1,0491,163-9.80%351
273Arnaudville1,0481,057-0.85%583
274Reddell1,04173342.02%106
275Melville1,0411,0410.00%320
276Start1,03590514.36%114
277Maringouin9921,097-9.57%520
278Lafitte9909721.85%79
279Supreme9841,052-6.46%112
280Clarks9841,020-3.53%396
281Choudrant98485814.69%90
282Boyce9811,004-2.29%824
283Barataria9791,109-11.72%88
284Oil City9711,010-3.86%210
285Newellton9701,182-17.94%493
286St. Joseph9691,171-17.25%420
287Plain Dealing9401,017-7.57%230
288Welcome93280016.50%79
289Dubach922957-3.66%196
290Washington915960-4.69%427
291Slaughter914991-7.77%64
292Cotton Valley9141,009-9.42%134
293Grand Coteau911928-1.83%145
294Fordoche911929-1.94%145
295Paincourtville909911-0.22%202
296Buras907945-4.02%152
297Folsom90172124.97%208
298Wisner899965-6.84%436
299Tangipahoa87775915.55%337
300Moreauville871928-6.14%111
301Gibsland871977-10.85%128
302Wallace Ridge86771022.11%48
303Loreauville845885-4.52%732
304Madisonville84375112.25%129
305Simsboro830844-1.66%92
306Kraemer826934-11.56%61
307Epps813852-4.58%325
308Sare812892-8.97%192
309Pitkin80357639.41%50
310Tickfaw80069515.11%191
311Forest Hill792819-3.30%94
312St. James788828-4.83%36
313Ventress784890-11.91%149
314Morse782814-3.93%216
315Anacoco763873-12.60%96
316Hessmer759796-4.65%354
317Mooringsport755795-5.03%251
318Doyline755819-7.81%88
319Rosedale741790-6.20%37
320Fifth Ward738800-7.75%55
321Marion732766-4.44%88
322Choctaw731879-16.84%45
323Montgomery7307221.11%136
324Port Vincent723733-1.36%164
325Killona714793-9.96%346
326Wallace7076715.37%42
327Pleasant Hill688724-4.97%164
328Parks6846692.24%313
329Greensburg652719-9.32%100
330Clayton645706-8.64%157
331Bordelonville64052521.90%57
332Longville6396350.63%43
333Grosse Tete636648-1.85%167
334Mangham626672-6.85%225
335Boothville626854-26.70%112
336Provencal6256122.12%98
337Mermentau619661-6.35%112
338Ridgecrest612694-11.82%550
339Union611892-31.50%25
340Natchez6055951.68%226
341Siracusaville59742241.47%289
342Florien596626-4.79%103
343Morganza579610-5.08%185
344Cheneyville577627-7.97%219
345Napoleonville574656-12.50%1,315
346Egan573631-9.19%46
347Simpson560642-12.77%35
348Sorrel559766-27.02%102
349Martin558596-6.38%19
350Gilbert554576-3.82%204
351Richmond549577-4.85%128
352Waterproof545679-19.73%302
353Junction City545585-6.84%171
354Mer Rouge544620-12.26%179
355Lydia544952-42.86%123
356Chatham541558-3.05%211
357Wilson539591-8.80%77
358Elizabeth527532-0.94%124
359Calhoun520679-23.42%85
360Sun5134679.85%47
361Cankton5034873.29%95
362Grayson500529-5.48%152
363Point Place49840024.50%197
364Springfield4964803.33%136
365Triumph493216128.24%68
366Clarence478498-4.02%117
367Pollock474485-2.27%23
368Turkey Creek4684406.36%73
369Monterey4624395.24%63
370Crescent460959-52.03%107
371Center Point458492-6.91%37
372Sicily Island456521-12.48%307
373Convent455711-36.01%45
374Prospect445476-6.51%116
375Bayou Goula442612-27.78%70
376Hodge435471-7.64%174
377Dry Prong435439-0.91%121
378Goldonna427431-0.93%15
379Converse426439-2.96%75
380Hornbeck422483-12.63%142
381Gillis403657-38.66%93
382St. Maurice39232321.36%23
383Tullos380385-1.30%93
384Kilbourne379415-8.67%106
385North Hodge378389-2.83%215
386Vienna377384-1.82%42
387Lacassine366480-23.75%81
388Starks364664-45.18%41
389Singer36328726.48%20
390Fenton363383-5.22%339
391Chataignier3633630.00%223
392Columbia362390-7.18%183
393Hester361498-27.51%40
394Oretta352418-15.79%62
395South Mansfield3513490.57%200
396Roanoke349546-36.08%315
397Varnado335336-0.30%152
398Forest328354-7.34%76
399Georgetown326327-0.31%97
400Belmont325361-9.97%13
401Harrisonburg315346-8.96%126
402Dodson301336-10.42%52
403Hosston300317-5.36%43
404Keachi2992893.46%23
405Norwood290319-9.09%27
406Evergreen289310-6.77%109
407Hall Summit278300-7.33%64
408Fort Jesup278509-45.38%25
409East Hodge277289-4.15%457
410Athens272304-10.53%30
411Rodessa2712700.37%86
412Spokane266442-39.82%44
413Ashland264268-1.49%4
414Dixie Inn258273-5.49%206
415Saline254276-7.97%82
416Noble2542511.20%95
417Dubberly254272-6.62%25
418Lucky253271-6.64%12
419Baskin253254-0.39%73
420Delta251284-11.62%22
421Collinston249284-12.32%85
422Belcher249264-5.68%62
423Angie249251-0.80%63
424Montpelier248265-6.42%51
425Venice24520221.29%94
426Grand Cane2452421.24%84
427Bonita243281-13.52%70
428Creola24021312.68%226
429Plaucheville236248-4.84%60
430Castor236257-8.17%77
431Reeves2342311.30%37
432Pleasure Bend234250-6.40%22
433Glencoe2302119.00%134
434Frierson22514357.34%157
435Moonshine22419415.46%238
436Heflin224240-6.67%45
437Pointe a la Hache21718716.04%48
438Fisher216230-6.09%135
439McNary2132091.91%45
440Calvin212238-10.92%36
441Cameron209406-48.52%7
442Branch207388-46.65%11
443Ida201221-9.05%55
444Bienville199217-8.29%7
445Romeville19513050.00%23
446Edgefield191218-12.39%297
447Robeline1771741.72%57
448Quitman173181-4.42%72
449Shongaloo166182-8.79%8
450Palmetto162164-1.22%71
451Gloster161--49
452Longstreet1591571.27%30
453Lisbon159185-14.05%5
454Eros1591552.58%62
455Gilliam154164-6.10%30
456Joyce148384-61.46%20
457Atlanta141163-13.50%50
458Pioneer137155-11.61%49
459Rock Hill135274-50.73%14
460Spearsville134137-2.19%25
461Powhatan133135-1.48%95
462Downsville133141-5.67%69
463Jamestown122138-11.59%27
464Oak Ridge121143-15.38%47
465Lillie116118-1.69%23
466Stanley106107-0.93%19
467Sikes106120-11.67%26
468Bryceland98106-7.55%16
469Jordan Hill87211-58.77%5
470Mount Lebanon7180-11.25%7
471Sugartown69--14
472Taft63--5
473Bayou Corne18--19
474Mound1619-15.79%12
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