Mer Rouge ZIP Codes — Morehouse County, LA

There is one unique ZIP code in Mer Rouge, Louisiana and it is 71261. Area code: 318.

ZIP codes

138.46

sq mi land

1.10

sq mi water

318

area code

Mer Rouge, LA ZIP code map

About Mer Rouge, LA

Mer Rouge is a small town situated in Morehouse County, Louisiana. Known for its serene atmosphere and tight-knit community, it offers a glimpse into rural life in the southern United States. The town's unique charm and local culture make it an interesting place to visit or call home.

Location & geography

Mer Rouge is located in the northeastern part of Louisiana, approximately 15 miles southeast of Bastrop and 8 miles southwest of Oak Grove. The town spans a land area of 138.46 square miles, with a small water area of 1.10 square miles. The terrain consists primarily of flatlands, making it conducive for agriculture and outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community in Mer Rouge is characterized by friendly residents who value their heritage and local traditions. Agriculture plays a significant role in the town's economy, with local farms contributing to the region's agricultural output. Daily life in Mer Rouge offers a peaceful environment, where residents enjoy community events and gatherings that strengthen neighborhood bonds.

Transportation

Major transportation routes include US Highways 165 and 425, providing easy access to larger nearby cities. The nearest major airport is Monroe Regional Airport, located about 30 miles southwest of Mer Rouge. Public transit options are limited, with most residents relying on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Mer Rouge was founded in the late 19th century and has played a role in the agricultural development of Morehouse County. Key industries have historically revolved around farming, particularly cotton and soybeans, which thrive in the fertile soil of the area. Notable events in the town's history include celebrations of agricultural achievements and community fairs.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Mer Rouge is that it has a rich heritage linked to the cotton industry, which was pivotal to its early development. Additionally, the town is named after the 'Red Sea' in French, referencing the reddish soil that characterizes the area.

ZIP codes for Mer Rouge, LA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
71261	Mer Rouge	Morehouse	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,302

Population

52.6

Median age

$23,021

Median household income

$24,882

Per capita income

$77,100

Median home value

$380

Median monthly rent

63.2%

Home ownership

43.6%

Poverty rate

13.3%

Unemployment

712

Housing units

11.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

120

65–74

159

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	305	23.4%
18 and over	997	76.6%
65 and over	408	31.3%
Median age	52.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 50.7%

Black or African American 46.6%

Hispanic or Latino 1.3%

Two or more races 1.3%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	669	50.7%
Black or African American	615	46.6%
Hispanic or Latino	17	1.3%
Two or more races	17	1.3%
Asian	1	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 15.1%

$10k–$15k 5.6%

$15k–$25k 34.0%

$25k–$35k 6.3%

$35k–$50k 4.0%

$50k–$75k 18.1%

$75k–$100k 2.5%

$100k–$150k 10.6%

$200k+ 3.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	15.1%
$10k–$15k	5.6%
$15k–$25k	34.0%
$25k–$35k	6.3%
$35k–$50k	4.0%
$50k–$75k	18.1%
$75k–$100k	2.5%
$100k–$150k	10.6%
$200k+	3.8%
Median income	$23,021

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 29.7%

$50k–$100k 27.8%

$100k–$150k 20.7%

$150k–$200k 10.5%

$200k–$300k 7.1%

$300k–$500k 3.4%

$500k–$1M 0.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$77,100
Median rent / month	$380
Owner occupied	63.2%
Renter occupied	36.8%
Vacant	35.4%
Single-family detached	72.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	15.1%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	1.81

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	10.5%
2000–2009	16.2%
1990–1999	11.5%
1980–1989	10.9%
1970–1979	17.8%
1960–1969	6.7%
1950–1959	10.0%
1940–1949	9.0%
1939 or earlier	7.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	2.7%
2 bedrooms	46.6%
3 bedrooms	35.8%
4 bedrooms	7.9%
5+ bedrooms	7.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.8%
1 vehicle	35.7%
2 vehicles	46.4%
3 or more	13.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	17.7%
Electricity	63.2%
Propane / LP gas	10.3%
Fuel oil	1.2%
Wood	6.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	235	39.0%
Cohabiting couple	2	0.3%
Male householder, no spouse	97	16.1%
Female householder, no spouse	269	44.6%
Households with children under 18	98	16.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	256	42.5%
Average household size	2.02

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.8%	30.6%
Married	58.6%	40.1%
Separated	0.9%	2.2%
Widowed	4.7%	14.3%
Divorced	11.0%	12.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.0%

Some HS, no diploma 13.1%

HS graduate 52.7%

Some college, no degree 8.8%

Associate's degree 9.0%

Bachelor's degree 8.8%

Graduate / professional 2.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	81.9%
Bachelor's or higher	11.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	16	6.4%
Elementary school	164	65.9%
High school	22	8.8%
College / grad school	47	18.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 34.2%

Agriculture & mining 21.2%

Professional & management 10.4%

Public administration 8.8%

Construction 4.9%

Transportation & utilities 4.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.4%

Wholesale trade 3.6%

Retail trade 2.1%

Finance & real estate 2.1%

Other services 1.8%

Information 1.3%

Manufacturing 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	40.2%
Service	26.2%
Sales & office	7.0%
Natural resources & construction	13.7%
Production & transportation	13.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.3%
Government	15.5%
Self-employed	4.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	92.2%
Carpool	2.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	2.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.7

Poverty

All people 43.6%

Under 18 years 74.8%

18 and over 33.3%

Married-couple families 34.5%

Female-led households 73.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.8%
Retirement income	18.4%
Supplemental Security	7.5%
Cash public assistance	4.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	29.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	50.2%
High cholesterol	41.7%
Heart disease	11.2%
Stroke	6.3%
Asthma	10.5%
Arthritis	35.3%
Kidney disease	5.0%
Pulmonary disease	12.4%
Cancer	8.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.3%
No physical activity	39.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	38.9%
Fair or poor health	28.1%
Poor mental health	17.5%
Poor physical health	17.3%
No health insurance	16.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	82.1%
Visited dentist	49.7%
Cholesterol screening	91.2%
Teeth loss	24.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	85	8.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.4%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	6.0%
65 and over	23.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	34.1%
Public insurance	65.2%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,199	92.1%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,302	100.0%
Born in same state	1,302	100.0%
Born in different state	1,127	86.6%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	113	8.7%
Arab	58	4.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	32	2.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	46.3%
Internet access	77.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Mer Rouge, LA have?

Mer Rouge, LA has one ZIP code: 71261. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.