St. Joseph: Demographics & People
St. Joseph is home to 603 people, in 260 households. Population shrank 14.9% from 709 (2022) to 603 (2024). Median age 50.7 years. (3.2y older than Tensas Parish; 12.8y older than Louisiana). Children under 18 are 22% of the population. Population is 73% Black and 25% White (non-Hispanic). The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.40). 46% of households are family-led. County health: 47% adult obesity, 29% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household.
- 54% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 14.9% from 709 (2022) to 603 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~516 (extrapolated at -7.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 413.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 4,147 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -14.9% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 709 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 603 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 603 people |
| Population Estimate | 413 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 50.7y is 11.8 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 22% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 50.7 years (vs Louisiana 37.9y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 21.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Population under 18 | 132 |
| Median age | 50.7 years (vs Louisiana 37.9y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 603 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.40 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 193 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 500 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 40.2% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 72.2% |
| Black population | 72.6% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 25.2% |
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 (5)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 476 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 127 |
| Share born in this state | 78.9% |
| Share born in another state | 21.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 21.1% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 57 |
Households & Family Composition
260 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 46% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 140 families, 9% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 153 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 140 |
| Married couples with children | 13 |
| Single-parent households | 4 |
| Average household size | 2.26 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 8.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 21 |
| Family households | 120 households |
| Households that are families | 46.2% |
| Total households | 260 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. 11.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%.
| Moved within the county (past year) | 11.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 3,006 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 2,974 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 32 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| 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 | 86 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 11.2% |
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. 4 residents live in group quarters (0.7% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 4 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 22,107 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 22 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 107 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Tensas |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 40.1% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 27.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 56.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 22,107 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Tensas Parish |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 90 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 22,107 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Tensas Parish |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 75.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 64.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 40.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 4,334 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.30 |
| Family Score · Schools | 2 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 21.9% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 603, shrinking, retirement community, working-class, service economy |
| Town Summary · Population | 603 people |
| Town Summary · County | Tensas Parish |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade