ALEXANDRIA, La. - Central Louisiana鈥檚 economy continued to strengthen in the second quarter of 2025, with steady job growth, rising consumer activity, and stable business formation across Rapides Parish, Alexandria, Pineville, and Natchitoches.
Employment in the Alexandria metropolitan statistical area rose to 61,721 in June, a gain of 707 jobs from May and 795 more than a year earlier. The quarterly average reached 61,348 employed persons, up 705 from the first quarter. Rapides Parish, which accounts for the largest share of the region鈥檚 labor force, recorded an unemployment rate of 4.6% in June, nearly matching the statewide average of 4.5%.
鈥淐entral Louisiana continues to show encouraging resilience,鈥� said Randall Dupont, the dashboard鈥檚 author and business professor at LSUA. 鈥淭he region has added jobs, and that growth is especially meaningful when paired with signs of healthy consumer spending and business investment.鈥�
In Natchitoches Parish, employment averaged 14,205 in the second quarter, up 3% from the first quarter, an increase of 442 jobs. Although the June unemployment rate stood at 7.1%, above the regional average, the increase in employment suggests more residents are entering the labor force.
鈥淭he rising employment base in Natchitoches reflects an expanding labor force and growing opportunity鈥攂oth signs of underlying momentum,鈥� Dupont said.
Consumer spending also showed strength. Sales tax revenue in Rapides Parish increased 11% from the previous quarter and 6% year-over-year. Alexandria and Pineville each recorded quarterly growth of 4% to 5%, while Natchitoches posted an 8% quarterly gain and an 11% increase compared to the same period last year.
鈥淪pending patterns in places like Pineville and Natchitoches point to a broader recovery that is reaching into all markets,鈥� Dupont added. 鈥淭hese are not isolated upticks鈥攖hey represent a consistent theme of community-level economic strength.鈥�
New business formation remained stable. Rapides Parish recorded 96 new business formations in the second quarter, up from 93 in the first quarter. The year-to-date total of 189 businesses is nearly unchanged from the first half of 2024.
Statewide, Louisiana recorded 17,091 business applications in the second quarter, up 10% from the first quarter and 3% higher than a year ago. However, the year-to-date total remains 6% lower than the first half of 2024.
鈥淲hether we鈥檙e looking at jobs, spending, or startups, the second-quarter data confirms that central Louisiana is holding its ground and, in many areas, quietly gaining strength,鈥� Dupont said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a testament to the region鈥檚 adaptability and long-term potential.鈥�
The Central Louisiana Economic Dashboard, a service of the LSUA 吃瓜直播 of Business, helps leaders monitor regional economic trends. View the full July 2025 issue at .
Media inquiries, please contact Randall Dupont at rdupont@lsua.edu.
Written by Randall Dupont, D.B.A. | LSUA 吃瓜直播 of Business
Photo credit - LSUA Strategic Communications