1st Advantage MortgageThe median Lincoln Parish household earns $39,172, and 31% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Who lives in Lincoln Parish
- How Lincoln Parish residents earn a living
- Lincoln Parish against other Louisiana counties
- Renting and owning in Lincoln Parish
- Income in Lincoln Parish compared with Louisiana
- How Lincoln Parish compares with nearby counties
- Ruston and the rest of Lincoln Parish
- Lincoln Parish demographics against Louisiana
- Debt-to-income at Lincoln Parish's medians
- Before borrowing in Lincoln Parish
- Louisiana lender licensing
- Checklist for Lincoln Parish applicants
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Lincoln Parish
With an estimated 48,174 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Lincoln Parish ranks 22nd of 64 in Louisiana for population. Packed into 472 square miles, that is close to 102 residents for every square mile of land. Metro status: none; Lincoln Parish sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (7 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Ruston, with about 22,284 residents, or 46% of the county.
How Lincoln Parish residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 35% of employed Lincoln Parish residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. Lincoln Parish over-indexes on education and health care: 35% versus 26% in Louisiana. Unemployment in Lincoln Parish, ACS five-year: 3.8%; Louisiana: 6.3%. About 76% drive to work alone and 10% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 9.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Lincoln Parish | Compared with Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 34.5% | +9.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.9% | -2.0 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | -0.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -2.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.8% | +0.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Lincoln Parish against other Louisiana counties
The 3 Lincoln Parish numbers that rank furthest from typical in Louisiana, and what each means for a borrower:
- Lincoln Parish ranks the lowest of 64 Louisiana counties for median age: 28.6, against 38.0 statewide. A young county means many first-time borrowers; read every fee line.
- On homeownership, Lincoln Parish sits near the bottom of Louisiana at 54%, 3rd lowest of 64. In a renter-heavy county, unsecured loans and cards are the main options.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Lincoln Parish sits near the bottom of Louisiana at 3.8%, 4th lowest of 64. A tight job market helps steady income, but lenders still verify it.
Renting and owning in Lincoln Parish
Half of Lincoln Parish renters pay more than $825 a month and half pay less; the Louisiana midpoint is $1,064. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 67% in Lincoln Parish, 55% statewide. With a median value of $210,100, a typical Lincoln Parish house costs 5.4 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 54%, renters 46%. Median construction year: 1984.
| Housing | Lincoln Parish | Louisiana statewide | Lincoln Parish vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 54% | 67% | -13.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 67% | 55% | +11.9 pts |
| Mobile homes | 16.3% | 12.6% | +3.8 pts |
| Median gross rent | $825/mo | $1,064/mo | 22% lower |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 28% | +2.2 pts |
| Median home value | $210,100 | $216,500 | 3% lower |
No equity to borrow against is the norm for Lincoln Parish's 46% renters; a credit union share-secured loan is one lower-cost route. With rent burdens at 67%, keep any Lincoln Parish loan to the smallest amount that solves the problem.
Income in Lincoln Parish compared with Louisiana
Lincoln Parish households have a median income of $39,172 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 59th of 64 in Louisiana.
| Household income | Lincoln Parish | vs Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 46.4% | +15.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 32.2% | -7.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.4% | -5.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -2.7 pts |
About 46% of households earn under $35,000, while 21% clear $100,000. Census counts 31.2% of Lincoln Parish residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Louisiana. Gini index for Lincoln Parish: 0.539. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Lincoln Parish median.
How Lincoln Parish compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Jackson Parish at 21 miles out to Union County at 39. Union County leads the group on income ($55,259), Claiborne Parish trails ($32,831), and Lincoln Parish out-earns 2 of the six. The list crosses into Arkansas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Parish | - | $39,172 | $825/mo | 54% |
| Jackson Parish, LA | 21 mi | $44,925 | $736/mo | 70% |
| Union Parish, LA | 23 mi | $42,885 | $778/mo | 78% |
| Claiborne Parish, LA | 25 mi | $32,831 | $674/mo | 69% |
| Bienville Parish, LA | 29 mi | $35,011 | $606/mo | 70% |
| Ouachita Parish, LA | 31 mi | $54,688 | $959/mo | 61% |
| Union County, AR | 39 mi | $55,259 | $847/mo | 73% |
Ruston and the rest of Lincoln Parish
31,260 of Lincoln Parish's 48,174 residents live in its 7 Census places (65%); the 7 largest are listed. Incomes vary by place: $95,000 at the median in Vienna, $31,120 in Ruston. Median rent ranges from $592 in Vienna to $943 in Choudrant. From Ruston to the smallest crossroads, Lincoln Parish residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruston | city | 22,284 | $31,120 | $816 | 5 mi |
| Grambling | city | 5,287 | n/a | $709 | 6 mi |
| Choudrant | village | 1,319 | $72,679 | $943 | 9 mi |
| Simsboro | village | 851 | $31,658 | $934 | 9 mi |
| Dubach | town | 709 | $36,583 | $867 | 7 mi |
| Vienna | town | 587 | $95,000 | $592 | 1 mi |
| Downsville | village | 223 | $69,028 | $900 | 15 mi |
Lincoln Parish demographics against Louisiana
Degree holders: 36% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 5.4%, against 7.8% for Louisiana.
| Residents | Lincoln Parish | Difference from Louisiana | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 31.2% | +12.3 pts | +18.0 pts |
| Median age | 28.6 | -9.4 yrs | -12.9 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 36.2% | +9.1 pts | +14.0 pts |
| Work from home | 11.5% | +3.4 pts | +2.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.8% | -3.0 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | -2.5 pts | -0.6 pts |
| No health insurance | 5.4% | -2.4 pts | -2.4 pts |
| No vehicle | 9.5% | +1.0 pts | +4.0 pts |
| Commute length | Lincoln Parish |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
Debt-to-income at Lincoln Parish's medians
Here is the Lincoln Parish median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $39,172 a year is $3,264 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $825, which is 25% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $1,175 total minus rent leaves $350
- At 43%, room after rent is $579 a month
Homeowners in Lincoln Parish should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Before borrowing in Lincoln Parish
Where the Lincoln Parish numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 16% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Before borrowing. At 31.2% poverty, Lincoln Parish has local aid programs worth checking (options).
- Rent squeeze. 67% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Louisiana lender licensing
Lincoln Parish borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. State-level detail for Lincoln Parish borrowers is in the Louisiana guide.
Checklist for Lincoln Parish applicants
Steps that save money for Lincoln Parish residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Lincoln Parish-area credit union.
- Verify the Louisiana license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Lincoln Parish credit union about member loans.
Keep exploring
For statewide rules and data, see the Louisiana guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Lincoln Parish household make?
About $39,172 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 36% below the Louisiana median.
What is the median rent in Lincoln Parish, LA?
$825 a month, utilities included, or $9,900 a year.
Which towns does the Lincoln Parish guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Ruston, Grambling, Choudrant, Simsboro, Dubach.
Is the fit check different in Lincoln Parish?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Lincoln Parish check a lender's license?
With the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.