Alexandria metropolitan area, Louisiana

Metropolitan statistical area in Louisiana, United StatesGreater AlexandriaMetropolitan statistical areaAlexandria, LA metropolitan statistical areaDowntown AlexandriaInteractive Map of Alexandria, LA MSA City of Alexandria Alexandria, LA MSA CountryUnited StatesStateLouisianaParishesGrantRapidesPrincipal citiesAlexandriaPinevillePopulation (2020) • Total152,192 • Estimate (2022)149,189 • RankUS: 289thTime zoneUTC-6 (CST) • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)Websitehttp://cityofalexandriala.com/ The Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in central Louisiana that covers two parishes – Rapides and Grant. As of the 2020 census, the MSA had a population of 152,192 (though a July 1, 2023 estimate placed the population at 148,171). History The Alexandria metropolitan area was first defined in 1973. Then known as the Alexandria Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (Alexandria SMSA), it consisted of two parishes - Rapides and Grant - and had a population of 131,749. By the census of 1980, the population had grown to 151,985, a 15% increase over the previous census. In 1983, the official name was shortened to the Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area (Alexandria