Louisiana: government, population and official figures

Louisiana is a state of the United States, number 25 of 51 by population. Louisiana had an estimated 4,618,189 residents on 1 July 2025, 1.4% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 25th largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.07%, 7th slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs Louisiana?

The governor is Jeff Landry. Governor's office. Phone: 1-225-342-0991. Address: PO Box 94004 Baton Rouge , LA 70804.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Louisiana: The economy of Louisiana (gross domestic product) was worth $342.3 billion in 2025 at current prices, 1.1% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 26th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 3.6% on 2024.
• Health in Louisiana: Life expectancy at birth in Louisiana was 73.8 years in 2022, 4th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Louisiana: 83.1% of public high school students in Louisiana graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 12th lowest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Louisiana: The Census Bureau estimates that 18.6% of people in Louisiana lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 829,482 people; the highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Louisiana: Louisiana's state government took in $44.6 billion in fiscal year 2024, $9,667 per resident, 21st highest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Louisiana

• Louisiana
• Department of Agriculture & Forestry
• Department of Children and Family Services
• Consumer Protection
• Department of Public Safety and Corrections
• Local governments
• District Attorneys Association
• Department of Education
• Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
• Department of Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Louisiana

1. New Orleans 362,154 (2025)
2. Baton Rouge 222,795 (2025)
3. Shreveport 175,902 (2025)
4. Lafayette 123,311 (2025)
5. Lake Charles 82,676 (2025)
6. St. George 78,536 (2025)
7. Kenner 65,136 (2025)
8. Bossier City 63,259 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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