Jena ZIP Codes — La Salle County, LA

There is one unique ZIP code in Jena, Louisiana and it is 71342. Area code: 318.

ZIP codes

159.12

sq mi land

17.00

sq mi water

318

area code

Jena, LA ZIP code map

About Jena, LA

Jena, Louisiana is a charming city located in La Salle County, known for its welcoming community and southern hospitality. With a rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of local pride, Jena serves as a hub for the surrounding rural areas. The city boasts a unique blend of history, outdoor activities, and local events, making it an attractive spot for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Jena is nestled in the heart of Louisiana, surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes that include forests and rivers. It is approximately 36 miles southeast of Alexandria, 40 miles northeast of Natchitoches, and around 85 miles northwest of Baton Rouge, making it a peaceful retreat near larger urban centers. The city covers a total land area of 159.12 square miles, with an additional 17.00 square miles of water, providing ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Community & economy

The community of Jena is characterized by its friendly residents and a strong sense of belonging. Local industries primarily revolve around agriculture, with many residents engaged in farming and forestry-related activities. Daily life in Jena is enriched by community events, local festivals, and a commitment to preserving the town's cultural heritage.

Transportation

Jena is conveniently located near Highway 84, which provides easy access to surrounding areas and connects residents to larger highways. The nearest named airport is the Alexandria International Airport, situated about 30 miles to the southwest, offering commercial flights. Public transportation options are limited, but the community is well-connected by roadways, facilitating local travel.

History

Founded in the early 20th century, Jena originally grew as a center for agriculture and timber. The city's growth was fueled by the lumber industry, which played a significant role in shaping its economy and community identity. Over the years, Jena has celebrated several notable events, including the annual Jena Christmas Festival that draws visitors from all around.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Jena is its unique connection to the historic River Road, which was a vital trading route in the region. Additionally, Jena was once home to a vibrant economy centered on timber and agriculture, which laid the foundation for its development.

ZIP codes for Jena, LA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
71342	Jena	La Salle	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,417

Population

39.7

Median age

$58,772

Median household income

$31,737

Per capita income

$128,000

Median home value

$522

Median monthly rent

82.0%

Home ownership

13.6%

Poverty rate

4.7%

Unemployment

3,143

Housing units

23.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

248

Under 5

224

203

5–9

183

210

10–14

190

213

15–19

193

212

20–24

192

536

25–34

485

530

35–44

480

527

45–54

476

161

55–59

146

288

60–64

260

446

65–74

404

289

75–84

261

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,556	21.0%
18 and over	5,861	79.0%
65 and over	1,460	19.7%
Median age	39.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 80.6%

Black or African American 13%

Asian 3.6%

Hispanic or Latino 1.2%

Other race 0.9%

Two or more races 0.7%

Group	Count	%
White	6,051	80.6%
Black or African American	976	13%
Asian	268	3.6%
Hispanic or Latino	93	1.2%
Other race	69	0.9%
Two or more races	53	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 2.7%

$10k–$15k 8.5%

$15k–$25k 13.3%

$25k–$35k 3.6%

$35k–$50k 15.2%

$50k–$75k 16.2%

$75k–$100k 17.8%

$100k–$150k 8.8%

$150k–$200k 10.6%

$200k+ 3.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.7%
$10k–$15k	8.5%
$15k–$25k	13.3%
$25k–$35k	3.6%
$35k–$50k	15.2%
$50k–$75k	16.2%
$75k–$100k	17.8%
$100k–$150k	8.8%
$150k–$200k	10.6%
$200k+	3.2%
Median income	$58,772

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 22.6%

$50k–$100k 14.7%

$100k–$150k 21.1%

$150k–$200k 13.4%

$200k–$300k 10.0%

$300k–$500k 16.4%

$500k–$1M 1.4%

$1M+ 0.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$128,000
Median rent / month	$522
Owner occupied	82.0%
Renter occupied	18.0%
Vacant	22.8%
Single-family detached	71.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	24.4%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.55

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	7.6%
2000–2009	16.1%
1990–1999	14.0%
1980–1989	9.6%
1970–1979	21.4%
1960–1969	10.6%
1950–1959	3.9%
1940–1949	7.4%
1939 or earlier	9.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.8%
1 bedroom	7.3%
2 bedrooms	20.4%
3 bedrooms	47.6%
4 bedrooms	21.9%
5+ bedrooms	0.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.0%
1 vehicle	24.8%
2 vehicles	47.8%
3 or more	22.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	31.9%
Electricity	59.1%
Propane / LP gas	7.3%
Wood	0.5%
No fuel used	1.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,397	49.6%
Cohabiting couple	83	2.9%
Male householder, no spouse	387	13.7%
Female householder, no spouse	952	33.8%
Households with children under 18	1,124	39.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,107	39.3%
Average household size	2.47

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.8%	24.3%
Married	57.7%	42.3%
Separated	0.7%	0.8%
Widowed	2.5%	12.7%
Divorced	9.2%	19.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.4%

Some HS, no diploma 6.2%

HS graduate 39.2%

Some college, no degree 17.4%

Associate's degree 8.8%

Bachelor's degree 15.2%

Graduate / professional 7.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.4%
Bachelor's or higher	23.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	60	4.1%
Kindergarten	44	3.0%
Elementary school	565	38.4%
High school	408	27.7%
College / grad school	395	26.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 31.3%

Agriculture & mining 14.0%

Retail trade 13.9%

Construction 10.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.9%

Transportation & utilities 5.5%

Other services 4.4%

Professional & management 3.7%

Wholesale trade 3.3%

Finance & real estate 3.1%

Public administration 2.4%

Manufacturing 1.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.9%
Service	16.5%
Sales & office	21.1%
Natural resources & construction	24.1%
Production & transportation	7.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.9%
Government	14.6%
Self-employed	8.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	71.8%
Carpool	16.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	8.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	37.2

Poverty

All people 13.6%

Under 18 years 19.8%

18 and over 11.8%

Married-couple families 1.3%

Female-led households 42.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	43.3%
Retirement income	22.1%
Supplemental Security	7.4%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	15.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	40.0%
High cholesterol	37.9%
Heart disease	8.2%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	28.0%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	9.7%
Cancer	6.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.0%
No physical activity	33.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.6%
Fair or poor health	21.5%
Poor mental health	18.3%
Poor physical health	13.9%
No health insurance	16.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.6%
Visited dentist	52.1%
Cholesterol screening	88.0%
Teeth loss	21.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	321	5.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.8%
Under 18	3.9%
18–64 years	14.3%
65 and over	34.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	66.1%
Public insurance	44.7%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,945	93.6%
Spanish	252	3.6%
Other Indo-European	139	2.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	8	0.1%
Other languages	92	1.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,239	97.6%
Born in same state	7,149	96.4%
Born in different state	6,034	81.4%
Foreign born	90	1.2%
Naturalized citizen	178	2.4%
Not a US citizen	81	45.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	2,511	33.9%
French	603	8.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	268	3.6%
Polish	9	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.0%
Internet access	91.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Jena, LA have?

Jena, LA has one ZIP code: 71342. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.