If you’re looking into an Alexandria Louisiana zip code, you probably realized pretty quickly that this isn’t just one big, uniform slab of land. It’s messy. It’s spread out. It’s also the geographic center of the state, which gives it this weirdly vital role that most people outside of Rapides Parish don't really get.
Honestly, Alexandria is the kind of place where you can be standing in a historic district with oak trees that look like they’ve seen the Civil War, and ten minutes later, you’re in a suburban sprawl that looks like any other mid-sized American city. But the mail has to get delivered somewhere. Depending on which side of the Red River you’re on—or how close you are to the airport—that zip code changes everything about your daily commute and your property taxes.
The Big Three: 71301, 71302, and 71303
When people talk about Alexandria, they are usually talking about one of these three primary zones.
71301 is the heart. This is where the old money and the history live. You’ve got the Garden District here, which is basically the crown jewel of Alexandria’s architecture. If you like wrap-around porches and sidewalks that have been slightly uplifted by massive root systems, this is your spot. It’s dense. It’s walkable—well, as walkable as Louisiana gets in August without melting. You’ll also find the downtown area here, including the Alexandria Museum of Art and the Bentley Hotel. The Bentley is legendary. F. Scott Fitzgerald stayed there. It’s got that old-world grit and glamour that’s hard to find in the newer developments.
Then you have 71303. This is the growth engine. If you’re moving to town for a job at one of the hospitals or a retail gig, you’re likely looking here. It’s got the Alexandria Mall (which, let's be real, has seen better days but still serves as a hub) and most of the "new" Alexandria. It stretches out toward the West, pushing toward the edges of the city limits. It’s convenient. You have the grocery stores, the chains, and the newer apartment complexes. It lacks the "soul" of 71301, maybe, but it makes up for it in central air conditioning and parking spaces.
71302 is different. It’s south and east. It’s more industrial in parts, more rural in others. It’s got a very different vibe, more grounded in the working-class roots of the city. You’ll find some of the older neighborhoods here that have seen a lot of change over the last fifty years.
What about Pineville?
People get this mixed up all the time. Pineville is right across the river. It’s basically Alexandria’s sibling, but they are separate cities. Pineville uses 71360. If you’re looking for Louisiana Christian University (formerly Louisiana College), you’re looking for 71360. It’s quieter. A bit more "dry" in terms of historical local laws, though things have loosened up over the years.
Why the 71303 Zip Code is Dominating the Conversation
If you look at the real estate data from the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority or local listings, 71303 is usually where the volume is. Why? Because that’s where the land is.
While the Garden District (71301) is landlocked by its own history, 71303 has room to breathe. This zip code encompasses much of the professional class. You’ve got the medical corridor along Masonic Drive and Texas Avenue. Between Rapides Regional Medical Center and CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, the healthcare sector is the literal heartbeat of this region.
But it’s not just hospitals.
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- The Lakes area.
- Castle Village.
- The neighborhoods winding around Bayou Rapides.
It’s a mix. You can find a $150,000 starter home and a $700,000 lakeside property within a few miles of each other in the same zip code. That’s the Alexandria way. It’s not stratified the way bigger cities like New Orleans or Baton Rouge are. Everything is kinda tucked in together.
The "Military" Zip Code: 71303 and Beyond
You can't talk about an Alexandria Louisiana zip code without mentioning the military. England Air Force Base used to be the big dog in town. When it closed in the 90s, everyone thought the city would fold. It didn't.
Instead, it became England Airpark. This area, which falls under the 71303 umbrella, is now a massive economic engine. It houses Alexandria International Airport (AEX). If you’re flying in, you’re landing in 71303. It also hosts the intermediate staging base for troops headed to Fort Johnson (formerly Fort Polk).
When thousands of soldiers rotate through for training, they flood the local economy. They eat at the restaurants in 71303. They stay in the hotels. It creates this transient but consistent boost to the local commerce that keeps the 71303 area looking a lot glossier than the rest of the city.
Logistics and the 71309/71306 Confusion
Alexandria is a hub. I-49 runs right through it. Highway 165 and Highway 167 intersect here. Because of this, the city uses a few "hidden" zip codes that the average resident might never see on a piece of mail.
71309 is largely for P.O. Boxes and specific government administrative uses.
71306 is another one you’ll see pop up in business registries.
If you are a business owner looking to set up shop, do not just pick a zip code based on where the cheapest rent is. The "Cenla" (Central Louisiana) market is very neighborhood-specific. A business that thrives in the 71301 artsy/downtown scene might die a slow death in the suburban sprawl of 71303.
Living the 71301 Life: Is it Worth it?
Let's get personal for a second. If you’re moving to Alexandria, you have a choice. You can live in 71303 and have a predictable life. You’ll have a two-car garage. You’ll be near the Target.
Or you can live in 71301.
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Living in 71301 means you’re signing up for "character." Character is real estate speak for "the wiring might be from 1940 and the floors creak." But you get the trees. You get the proximity to the Zoo—and Alexandria has a surprisingly great zoo (the Alexandria Zoological Park). It’s actually nationally accredited and way better than a city this size has any right to have.
The 71301 area is also where the cultural festivals happen. QueerFest, the dragon boat races on the river, the Christmas parades—this is the soul of the city. If you’re a young professional or an artist, this is basically the only zip code you should be looking at.
Cost of Living: A Reality Check
Louisiana is generally cheap. Alexandria is even cheaper.
Whether you’re in 71301, 71302, or 71303, your dollar goes incredibly far. According to the Council for Community and Economic Research, the cost of living in the Alexandria metro area consistently stays well below the national average.
Housing is the big one. You can still find a decent, livable house for under $200,000. Try doing that in Austin or Nashville. You can't.
But there’s a trade-off.
The wages in Cenla aren't skyrocketing. It’s a stable economy, not a booming one. It’s built on "EDS and MEDS"—education and medicine—along with a healthy dose of state government jobs and the military. It’s recession-resistant, sort of. People always need a doctor, and the government always needs workers.
The Rural Fringe: 71302 and Beyond
As you move into 71302, the city starts to bleed into the country. You start seeing more trucks. More land. More space between neighbors.
This zip code covers the southeastern portion of the city and stretches out toward the airport's back side and the industrial zones. It’s home to the Port of Alexandria. People forget that Alexandria is a port city, but the Red River is a navigable waterway. The port connects the region to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
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If you work in logistics, manufacturing, or heavy industry, 71302 is likely your home base. It’s not "glitzy." It doesn't have the fancy cafes of 71301 or the shopping centers of 71303. But it’s the engine room. It’s where things get made and moved.
School Zones and Zip Codes
This is where things get tricky. In Rapides Parish, zip codes don't always align perfectly with school zones.
If you are moving specifically for a school—like Phoenix Magnet or Alexandria Senior High (ASH)—you have to check the specific district maps. Don't assume that because you are in 71303, you are automatically zoned for a specific school. The lines zig and zag.
- ASH (Alexandria Senior High): Mostly draws from the 71303 and western 71301 areas.
- Peabody Magnet: Deep roots in the 71302 and eastern 71301 areas.
- Bolton High: The historic choice in 71301.
Getting Around: The Logistics of Cenla
Alexandria is a "twenty-minute city." You can get from the far end of 71303 to the far end of 71302 in about twenty minutes, barring a wreck on the I-49 overpass.
The MacArthur Drive (US 71) loop is the main artery. It’s a weird road. It’s half-highway, half-city street, and it’s lined with every restaurant you’ve ever heard of. It acts as the divider between many of the residential sections of the various zip codes.
If you’re navigating the city, just remember: The river is North/East. The mall is West. Everything else just kinda fits in the middle.
Actionable Steps for Choosing Your Zip Code
If you’re planning a move or a business venture in Alexandria, don’t just look at a map. You have to feel the humidity and see the streets.
- Drive the MacArthur Loop at 5:00 PM. It’s the closest thing Alexandria has to a "rush hour." It’ll show you exactly how the 71303 traffic patterns actually work.
- Check the Flood Maps. This is Louisiana. Zip code 71301 and parts of 71302 are near the river and various bayous. Even if it's not in a "high-risk" zone, you want to see the elevation. FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center is your best friend here.
- Visit the Bentley. Go sit in the lobby. It’s in 71301. If you hate the vibe of that building, you probably won't like living in the historic district. If you love it, start looking for houses with pier-and-beam foundations.
- Look at the "Town Squares." Alexandria doesn't have one single square, but the area around the courthouse downtown (71301) and the shopping hubs near the Coliseum (71303) are the two poles of the city.
Alexandria isn't a place that reveals itself all at once. It’s a collection of small neighborhoods, each with its own specific zip code and its own specific history. Whether you want the old-growth oaks of the Garden District or the convenience of the West side, you’ll find a spot that fits. Just make sure you know which side of the bayou you're on before you sign the papers.