Which parish in Louisiana has the highest poverty rate?
Madison Parish has the highest poverty rate in Louisiana at 36.7%.
Highest Poverty Parishes in Louisiana
- Madison Parish: 36.7%
- East Carroll Parish: 35.7%
- Claiborne Parish: 35.0%
- Concordia Parish: 34.8%
- Tensas Parish: 32.8%
What is the poorest parish in Louisiana?
East Carroll Parish is frequently ranked as the poorest parish in Louisiana, holding the lowest median household income and highest family poverty rates in the state.
Depending on the specific economic metric used (such as median income, federal poverty percentage, or the broader United For ALICE financial hardship threshold), a few rural parishes consistently rank at the bottom:
- East Carroll Parish: Ranks #1 for lowest median household income (around $22,346) and features the highest family poverty rate in the state at roughly 28.1% to over 37% depending on the specific census demographic tracker.
- Claiborne Parish: Frequently cited with the highest percentage of households struggling to survive financially under basic cost-of-living metrics (reaching up to 74% according to regional ALICE reports) alongside very low median incomes.
- Tensas Parish & Madison Parish: Routinely contend with East Carroll and Claiborne for the lowest per capita incomes, highest unemployment, and deep rural economic distress.
Most users on Reddit agree that extreme rural isolation, limited job availability, and lack of wage growth drive these persistent economic challenges across northeast and northwest Louisiana.
What are the top 10 poorest towns in Louisiana?
The poorest cities and towns in Louisiana, based on recent analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data tracking poverty rates and median household incomes, include places like Donaldsonville, Crowley, and Bastrop.
According to community economic rankings from sources like HomeSnacks, the top ten economically disadvantaged cities and towns in the state are:
- Donaldsonville
- Crowley
- Bastrop
- Bogalusa
- Ruston
- Tallulah
- Opelousas
- Ville Platte
- Abbeville
- Eunice
These municipalities often report high poverty percentages exceeding 40% of their populations and median household incomes well below national averages.
What are the top 5 richest parishes in Louisiana?
The top 5 richest parishes in Louisiana, ranked by median household income, are Ascension, West Baton Rouge, Plaquemines, St. Charles, and St. Tammany.
Top 5 Wealthiest Parishes
- Ascension Parish: Median household income is about $92,266. It ranks as the richest parish in the state, driven by robust industrial growth and strong local schools.
- West Baton Rouge Parish: Median household income is about $87,320. It sits just outside Baton Rouge and benefits from a strong commuter economy.
- Plaquemines Parish: Median household income is about $82,874. Located near the mouth of the Mississippi River, its wealth comes heavily from oil, gas, and maritime industries.
- St. Charles Parish: Median household income is about $82,172. This area near New Orleans features major petrochemical facilities and strong industrial job bases.
- St. Tammany Parish: Median household income is about $79,277. Located on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, it features large suburban communities and high per capita earnings.
You can see the full methodology and broader rankings on Louisiana's 10 Wealthiest Parishes Revealed for 2026.
What is the whitest county in Louisiana?
Livingston Parish is the county (parish) with the highest percentage of White residents in Louisiana, at approximately 83% to 88% of the population depending on the specific U.S. Census data metrics used.
(Note: In Louisiana, counties are officially called parishes.)
Top Whitest Parishes in Louisiana
According to U.S. Census Bureau and American Community Survey estimates, the top parishes with the highest proportion of White residents include:
- Livingston Parish: ~83.7% – 88.5%
- Beauregard Parish: ~83.4%
- St. Tammany Parish: ~75.8%
- La Salle Parish: Frequently ranks high among rural parishes in overall percentage.
Louisiana poverty rate hits 1 in 5 residents as Census data reveals income gap
What is the best parish in Louisiana to live in?
Lafayette Parish is frequently ranked as the best overall parish to live in Louisiana, combining strong local culture, high quality of life, and solid economic metrics.
Depending on what you value most, several top-tier parishes stand out across the state based on data from sources like Niche and regional studies:
Top-Ranked Parishes
- Lafayette Parish: Ranked #1 overall by several lifestyle and data metrics. It offers an A+ grade, a vibrant Cajun culture, excellent food, a growing economy, and a median household income of roughly $66,000.
- Ascension Parish: Frequently cited as one of the best for raising families and public education. It boasts high median household incomes (over $90,000) and a high concentration of top-rated public schools.
- St. Tammany Parish: Located on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans, it is praised for low crime rates, high life expectancy, great public schools, and a suburban feel, though property insurance costs have risen significantly.
- Bossier Parish: Named a top spot in northern Louisiana for its rapid growth, strong community development, and family appeal.
What parish has the highest taxes in Louisiana?
Orleans Parish has the highest property taxes in Louisiana, with the highest median property tax paid ($2,428) and the highest average effective property tax rate (about 0.85%) and millage rate in the state. Meanwhile, Ouachita Parish holds the highest combined sales tax rate in the state, reaching up to 12.99%–13.5% in areas like Monroe and Sterlington.
Property Taxes vs. Sales Taxes
- Property Taxes (Highest): Orleans Parish ranks #1 statewide for overall property tax burden, boasting a parishwide millage rate of roughly 154.1 mills and the highest median tax bills. St. Tammany Parish and East Baton Rouge Parish follow closely behind.
- Sales Taxes (Highest): Ouachita Parish experiences some of the absolute highest combined local and state sales tax rates in Louisiana, peaking at 13.5% in cities like Monroe. Other high sales-tax areas include parts of Calcasieu Parish (12.75%) and East Baton Rouge Parish (12.5%).
What is the whitest city in Louisiana?
According to demographic data analysis by HomeSnacks, Youngsville is the whitest city in Louisiana, with White residents making up roughly 84.7% of the population.
Other Top Cities by White Percentage
- Sulphur: Ranks near the top following Youngsville.
- Mandeville: Also lists among the highest percentages of White residents in the state.
What is the cheapest town to live in in Louisiana?
Bastrop and Eunice frequently rank as the cheapest towns to live in Louisiana, with median home prices and overall living costs sitting well below both the state and national averages.
Top Affordable Towns in Louisiana
- Bastrop: Located in northeast Louisiana, Bastrop regularly tops affordability lists with median home sale prices hovering around $75,000.
- Eunice: Known as the Prairie Cajun Capital, Eunice features a cost of living roughly 9.8% below the state average, with some home prices dipping as low as $50,000.
- Bogalusa: Known as the "Magic City," Bogalusa offers low median household income requirements and highly affordable housing ratios.
- Abbeville: Situated in the heart of Cajun Country, Abbeville offers a low home-price-to-income ratio and affordable everyday expenses.
Factors to Consider
- Economy and Jobs: Extremely low-cost towns often have limited local employment opportunities.
- Taxes and Utilities: While housing is inexpensive, property taxes and insurance rates across Louisiana can vary significantly by parish.
Which town in Louisiana is the richest?
Lewisburg is ranked as the richest place in Louisiana, boasting a median household income of $162,958 and the highest median home value in the state at $556,800.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed by Forbes, this small affluent community sits on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain near the Mandeville-New Orleans bridge corridor. While smaller unincorporated enclaves or tiny census-designated spots like Gillis sometimes record high average samples due to extremely low populations, Lewisburg stands out as a top-tier wealthy town with 100% of households earning over $100,000 annually. For larger incorporated cities, places like Mandeville and Youngsville lead the metrics.