01
Location
Neighboring states: Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas.
Local timeBaton Rouge ·
U.S. States / South · Card 018
Louisiana
Louisiana is a U.S. state in the South. Its capital is Baton Rouge.
Find Louisiana
● State capital · Gold highlights Louisiana.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
At a glance
- Capital
- Baton Rouge
- Postal abbreviation
- LA
- Population
- 4,618,189July 1, 2025 · Census estimate
- Total area
- 135,659 km²52,378 square miles · land and water
- Statehood
- April 30, 1812State number 18
- Currency
- U.S. dollar (USD)
Sources: Census · population · Census · area
Louisiana in context
Gold shows Louisiana. The dot marks Baton Rouge.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown in separate insets at different scales.Geography & flag
02
Landscape & places
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve includes Louisiana wetlands and places connected with the region's cultural history.
03
Land and water
The total area includes 111,898 km² of land and 23,761 km² of water, according to Census area measurements.
State flag
A pelican feeding its young on a blue field, above a white ribbon bearing the state motto.
Sources: Census · geographic reference · Census · area measurements · National Park Service · Jean Lafitte
History & statehood
Most of present-day Louisiana became part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Orleans Territory was organized in 1804. It became the state of Louisiana in 1812; the earlier Louisiana Territory was a different, much larger area farther north.
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Louisiana Purchase
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Orleans Territory organized
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Statehood · State number 18
Sources: Congressional Research Service · statehood · U.S. Census Bureau · historical geography · National Park Service
Economy
Main activities
In 2025, manufacturing was the largest of the broad industry groups compared here by current-dollar output. Other major groups included real estate and rental and leasing, government and government enterprises, and educational services, health care, and social assistance.
Total economic output was $340.1 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Largest industry groups · 2025
- Manufacturing: 17.3%
- Real estate and rental and leasing: 11.6%
- Government and government enterprises: 10.6%
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance: 9.3%
Share of total current-dollar GDP. These figures measure output, not employment.
Sources: BEA · annual GDP by state, SAGDP2
Population & economic trends
Population, 2020–2025
Millions of people4.622025 · millions of people
July 1 resident population estimates, using the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 series.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
View data table
| Year | People |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4,652,145 |
| 2021 | 4,628,595 |
| 2022 | 4,600,892 |
| 2023 | 4,598,777 |
| 2024 | 4,614,878 |
| 2025 | 4,618,189 |
Real GDP, 2010–2025
Billions of chained 2017 dollars259.932025 · billions of chained 2017 dollars
Real GDP measures economic output adjusted for inflation. The chart uses BEA’s chained 2017 dollars.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
View data table
| Year | Millions of chained 2017 dollars |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 253,466.9 |
| 2011 | 241,235.9 |
| 2012 | 242,416.8 |
| 2013 | 236,482.3 |
| 2014 | 243,042.9 |
| 2015 | 239,584.1 |
| 2016 | 235,554.2 |
| 2017 | 239,830.7 |
| 2018 | 245,220.3 |
| 2019 | 246,674.4 |
| 2020 | 225,636.0 |
| 2021 | 242,582.1 |
| 2022 | 240,043.0 |
| 2023 | 248,949.4 |
| 2024 | 257,055.9 |
| 2025 | 259,927.1 |
Government
Louisiana has three branches of state government. The governor leads the executive branch. A Senate and House of Representatives form the legislature, which passes state laws and budgets. State courts interpret and apply the law.
Sources: USAGov · Louisiana
Knowledge check
Three questions about Louisiana.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
What is the capital of Louisiana?
Sources & notes
Prepared 27 September 2026. Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025, July 1 estimates for 2020–2025. Real GDP: BEA annual state accounts, SAGDP9, millions of chained 2017 dollars; industry shares: SAGDP2, current dollars. Data downloaded 27 September 2026. Area measurements include land and water.
Sources: Census · population estimates · BEA · state GDP · Census · area measurements · Natural Earth · map data
The capital clock shows current local time. Statistical figures are dated estimates and may be revised.