| City: | Natchitoches, Louisiana |
| Names to Avoid: | Natch, Nsu |
| Parish: | Natchitoches Parish |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:29:42 PM |
| Population: | 1,509 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 318 |
| Classification: | Unique [Company/Government] |
| Coordinates: | 31.7609, -93.0861 |
| Land Area: | 0.5 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Northwestern State University operates under dedicated ZIP code 71497 in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. Founded in 1884 as the Louisiana State Normal School, it became Louisiana's first teacher-training institution. The university gained its current name in 1970 and today is part of the University of Louisiana System. NSU holds the distinction of being Louisiana's oldest continually occupied site of higher learning, with its beloved Three Columns rising from Chaplin's Lake as all that remains of the original 1880s Bullard mansion. This postal designation has served the campus for over two decades.
The 2020 Census counted 1,509 residents with a median age of 20.8 years. Approximately 83% live in non-institutional group quarters, reflecting dormitory housing. Census ACS data shows 49% in Educational/Healthcare industries. Postal records identify Northwestern State University on Sam Sibley Drive among the three delivery codes. Natchitoches is the valid mailing city.
| Population: | 1,509 |
| Median Age: | 20.8 |
| Housing Units: | 392 |
| Establishments: | 6 |
| Employment: | 130 |
| Residential: | 0 |
| Business: | 1 |
Buildings registered in the USPS ZIP+4 database with designated codes for direct mail delivery.
ZIP Code 71497 has 1,509 residents and 190 households (average 1.37 persons per household). The median age is 20.8 years, significantly younger than the state (38.1) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 44.4% male and 55.6% female, which is lower than the national male share (49.1%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (62.2%, higher than the state average of 57.1%) and Black or African American (22.5%, much lower than the state average of 31.4% and well above the national average of 12.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 21.1%, which is much higher than the state average (6.9%), and Black or African American share is much higher than the national average (12.4%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 1,509Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 1,729Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3,018.0 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $2,499Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 190Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.37Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 5.77Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,213 | 1,392 | 1,729 |
| Decennial Census | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,509 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 20.8
Male Median Age: 20.6
Female Median Age: 21.2
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 8 | 4 | 5 | 224 | 375 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Female | 4 | 6 | 5 | 302 | 395 | 40 | 21 | 24 | 10 | 12 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 12 | 10 | 10 | 526 | 770 | 57 | 25 | 27 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| White: | 938 | 54.44% |
| Black: | 340 | 19.73% |
| Hispanic:* | 319 | 18.51% |
| Asian: | 43 | 2.50% |
| American Indian: | 3 | 0.17% |
| Hawaiian: | 3 | 0.17% |
| Other: | 77 | 4.47% |
| Total: | 1,723 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 670 | 44.40% | 20.6 years |
| Females: | 839 | 55.60% | 21.2 years |
| Total: | 1,509 | 100% | 20.8 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,702 | 98.44% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 6 | 0.35% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 11 | 0.64% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 10 | 1.21% |
| Total Population: | 1,729 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,708 | 98.79% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 21 | 1.21% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $2,499, which is much lower than the national median ($78,538), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $2,499. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $2,499 for nonfamily households (a difference of $2,499). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is well under the state female median ($44,630), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 36.0%, which is much lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 6.4%, which is higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (41.0%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,499 | $2,499 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,499 | $2,499 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 583 | 33.72% |
| Unemployed: | 40 | 2.31% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 1,106 | 63.97% |
| Total: | 1,729 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 124 | 21.27% |
| Service: | 239 | 40.99% |
| Sales and Office: | 194 | 33.28% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 26 | 4.46% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 583 | 100% |
Insufficient data for median home value. Insufficient data for median gross rent. Of occupied housing, owners make up 3.63% (0.00% with a mortgage, 100.00% free-and-clear) and renters 96.37% - making this ZIP Code less home ownership than the state and higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 48.40%, which is considerably higher than the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 96 | 51.61% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 17 | 9.14% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 41 | 22.04% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 32 | 17.20% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 186 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $478 | $524 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 7 | 3.63% |
| Renter Occupied: | 186 | 96.37% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 193 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 193 | 51.60% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 181 | 48.40% |
| Total Housing Units: | 374 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 374 | 100.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 374 | 100% |
In 2024, 26.30% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is on par with the state rate (86.90%). The uninsured rate is 5.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 77.00%, which is notably higher than the state rate (57.90%). Public coverage is 24.70%, which is generally lower than the state rate (45.80%). Insufficient data for poverty. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (100.00%). College enrollment is 100.00%, which is markedly above the state rate (24.00%), indicating the community is likely a college hub with student-driven housing and services.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Some college, no degree: | 28 | 73.68% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 10 | 26.32% |
| Total: | 38 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 38 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 10 | 26.32% |
| Private Insurance: | 1,332 | 71.61% |
| Public Insurance: | 427 | 22.96% |
| No Insurance: | 101 | 5.43% |
| Total: | 1,860 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,759 | 94.57% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 1,729 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 1,729 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0.00% |
ZIP Code 71497 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 6 business establishments, employing about 99 people with an annual payroll of $1,796,000. USPS data shows 0 residential mailboxes and 1 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 1Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 1Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 6Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $445,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,796,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 99Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 71497 is located in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and Louisiana's 4th Congressional District. This area has a population of 39,566 people, about 3.81% of whom live in ZIP Code 71497. It covers 0.5 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Number: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 39,566Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 0.5 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 04Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 12435.1 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 2253545Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Natchitoches city; LouisianaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 71497 is in the Natchitoches Parish School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.