St. James: Demographics & People
St. James is home to 431 people, in 152 households. Population grew 9.1% from 395 (2022) to 431 (2024). Median age 55.3 years. (14.5y older than St. James Parish; 17.4y older than Louisiana). Children under 18 are 12% of the population. Population is 72% Black and 28% White (non-Hispanic). The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.34). 80% of households are family-led. County is losing 682 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 44% adult obesity, 19% smoke.
- 2.8 people per household.
- 20% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population grew 9.1% from 395 (2022) to 431 (2024) — about 15.2× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~471 (extrapolated at 4.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 528.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 20,192 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 9.1% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 395 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 431 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 431 people |
| Population Estimate | 528 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 55.3y is 16.4 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 12% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 55.3 years (vs Louisiana 37.9y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 12.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Population under 18 | 53 |
| Median age | 55.3 years (vs Louisiana 37.9y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 431 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.34 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 87 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 308 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 34.4% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 78.0% |
| Black population | 72.2% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 27.8% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (4)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 378 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 53 |
| Share born in this state | 87.7% |
| Share born in another state | 12.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 12.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 351 |
Households & Family Composition
152 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 80% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 119 families, 9% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 46 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 119 |
| Married couples with children | 11 |
| Average household size | 2.35 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 3.6% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 25 |
| Family households | 121 households |
| Households that are families | 79.6% |
| Total households | 152 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 3.5% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 682 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 3.5% |
|---|---|
| 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 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
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.
| Residents with a disability | 138 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 22.2% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | LA-02 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 22,093 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 22 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 93 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | St James |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 18.7% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 14.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 23.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 22,093 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | St. James Parish |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 550 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 22,093 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | St. James Parish |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 63.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 53.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 45.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 21,096 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 12.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 431, booming, retirement community, working-class, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 431 people |
| Town Summary · County | St. James Parish |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade