ZIP Code 71261 — Mer Rouge village, LA Demographics & Data

ZIP code 71261 covers Mer Rouge, LA in Morehouse Parish with a population of about 1,429.

At a glance, the area shows median age of 60.2 versus a U.S. median of about 38.9.

It sits in telephone area code 318; U.S. House district LA-5; the MONROE - EL DORADO media market.

Mer Rouge, LA fits a retirement-oriented profile (high share of residents 65+ (37.7%)). Residents and relocators commonly research healthcare access, everyday amenities (dining, personal services), and housing costs rather than tech or campus life.

Median household income in ZIP 71261 is about $30,568 — about 59% below the U.S. median ($75,149).

On socioeconomic markers, US5 shows a poverty rate of 39.9%; unemployment rate near 13.6%; 9.7% of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (about 24.0 points below the national share (33.7%)).

Labor and commute patterns include leading industry context around Agriculture, Healthcare, and Administrative support; about 2.6% of workers reporting work-from-home (about 12.6 points below the U.S. share (15.2%)); a mean commute of about 180.0 minutes (U.S. average near 26.8).

Median home value is about $104,500 — about 70% below the U.S. median home value ($348,079).

Housing tenure and rents show median gross rent around $317 (about 73% below the U.S. median rent ($1,163)), and owner-occupancy near 67.0% (about 1.6 points above the national owner-occupancy rate (65.4%)).

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 71261 in Mer Rouge, LA, a household would need roughly $29,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $671. That is roughly in line with the local median household income ($30,568). Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

Climate normals for Mer Rouge village, LA show little to no average snow and around 58.4 inches of annual precipitation.

IRS migration statistics show a net inflow of about 57 for ZIP 71261 (Mer Rouge village, LA) on US5’s published series — a signal of people/tax filers moving in relative to those leaving. Inflows often track job growth, housing demand, or lifestyle migration; treat the figure as a directional indicator rather than a precise headcount.