St. James Parish: Demographics & People
St. James Parish is home to 19,528 people. Median age 40.8 years. (2.9y older than Louisiana). Population is 47% Black and 2% Hispanic or Latino. County is losing 682 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 20% smoke.
Population & Trend
Current population 19,528; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 19,528 people |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 18,797 people |
Age Distribution
Median age 40.8y is 1.9 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 19,528 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 4,322 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 3,650.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 7,689.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 3,867 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 22.1% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 18.7% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 39.4% |
| Median age | 40.8 years (vs Louisiana 37.9y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-28
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 19,528 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 19,528 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 9,750 |
| Black residents | 9,263 |
| Asian residents | 8 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 69 |
| Census Demographics · Nhpi | 12 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 16 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 410 |
| Diversity Index | 52.5% |
| Asian population | 0.0% |
| Black population | 47.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 2.0% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-28
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Census Citizenship · Total | 19,528 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 19,181 |
| Residents born in this state | 18,032 |
| Residents born in another state | 1,115 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 593 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 56 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 34 |
| Foreign-born residents | 3.0% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-28
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is losing 682 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 17,611 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 18,293 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -682 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2022-2023
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 19,374 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 2,306 |
| Pct With Disability | 11.9% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-28
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 157 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-28
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 19,296 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 18,592 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 308 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 342 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 43 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 11 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 704 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 3.6% |
| Pct White | 49.9% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-28