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Best places to raise a family in Louisiana
Choosing a place to raise children can be a daunting task for any family. If it takes a village to raise a child, that may just extend all the way to your next-door neighbor, fifth-grade teacher, or volunteer soccer coach. While all parents are looking for a great place to raise their kids, oftentimes this decision means balancing—and prioritizing—certain community resources and costs.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to raise a family in Louisiana using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Keep reading to see if where you grew up or currently live made the list.
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#25. Broussard
- Population: 11,913
- Median home value: $214,400 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,210 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $82,677
- Top public schools: Early College Academy (A), Green T. Lindon Elementary School (B+), Ernest Gallet Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Cecilia School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 103 Rue De Nimes, Broussard ($950,511, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $214,400 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,210 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $82,677
- Top public schools: Early College Academy (A), Green T. Lindon Elementary School (B+), Ernest Gallet Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Cecilia School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 103 Rue De Nimes, Broussard ($950,511, 5 bedrooms)
#24. Meraux
- Population: 7,007
- Median home value: $169,700 (84% own)
- Median rent: $914 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $63,305
- Top public schools: Joseph J. Davies Elementary School (A-), Chalmette High School (A-), N.P. Trist Middle School (B+)
- Pictured: 2313 S Etienne Dr, Meraux ($385,500, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $169,700 (84% own)
- Median rent: $914 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $63,305
- Top public schools: Joseph J. Davies Elementary School (A-), Chalmette High School (A-), N.P. Trist Middle School (B+)
- Pictured: 2313 S Etienne Dr, Meraux ($385,500, 3 bedrooms)
#23. Golden Meadow
- Population: 1,964
- Median home value: $88,000 (66% own)
- Median rent: $602 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $50,086
- Top public schools: Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School (B+), Golden Meadow Middle School (B+), South Lafourche High School (B)
- Pictured: 133 Constantin Rd, Golden Meadow ($375,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $88,000 (66% own)
- Median rent: $602 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $50,086
- Top public schools: Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School (B+), Golden Meadow Middle School (B+), South Lafourche High School (B)
- Pictured: 133 Constantin Rd, Golden Meadow ($375,000, 3 bedrooms)
#22. Paulina
- Population: 1,280
- Median home value: $311,600 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,125 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $104,911
- Top public schools: Paulina Elementary School (B+), St. James High School (B), Lutcher High School (B)
- Top private schools: St. Peter Chanel Interparochial School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 2864 Sugar Lakes Ln, Paulina ($485,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $311,600 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,125 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $104,911
- Top public schools: Paulina Elementary School (B+), St. James High School (B), Lutcher High School (B)
- Top private schools: St. Peter Chanel Interparochial School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 2864 Sugar Lakes Ln, Paulina ($485,000, 5 bedrooms)
#21. Westlake
- Population: 4,727
- Median home value: $114,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $630 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $42,156
- Top public schools: T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School (A-), Vincent Settlement Elementary School (A-), S.P. Arnett Middle School (A-)
- Pictured: 1745 Pelican Dr, Westlake ($299,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $114,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $630 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $42,156
- Top public schools: T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School (A-), Vincent Settlement Elementary School (A-), S.P. Arnett Middle School (A-)
- Pictured: 1745 Pelican Dr, Westlake ($299,900, 3 bedrooms)
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#20. Brusly
- Population: 2,741
- Median home value: $218,400 (83% own)
- Median rent: $760 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $77,563
- Top public schools: Brusly High School (B+), Lukeville Upper Elementary School (B), Brusly Middle School (B)
- Pictured: 309 Julianne St, Brusly ($298,500, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $218,400 (83% own)
- Median rent: $760 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $77,563
- Top public schools: Brusly High School (B+), Lukeville Upper Elementary School (B), Brusly Middle School (B)
- Pictured: 309 Julianne St, Brusly ($298,500, 3 bedrooms)
#19. Erath
- Population: 2,326
- Median home value: $79,900 (67% own)
- Median rent: $600 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $38,295
- Top public schools: Erath Middle School (A), Dozier Elementary School (A-), Erath High School (B+)
- Pictured: 709 W Pine St, Erath ($249,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $79,900 (67% own)
- Median rent: $600 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $38,295
- Top public schools: Erath Middle School (A), Dozier Elementary School (A-), Erath High School (B+)
- Pictured: 709 W Pine St, Erath ($249,000, 3 bedrooms)
#18. Covington
- Population: 10,372
- Median home value: $232,900 (69% own)
- Median rent: $959 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $71,548
- Top public schools: E.E. Lyon Elementary School (A), Joseph B. Lancaster Elementary School (A-), Madisonville Junior High School (A-)
- Top private schools: St. Paul's School (A+), St. Scholastica Academy (A), St. Peter Elementary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 78275 Highway 1082, Covington ($2.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $232,900 (69% own)
- Median rent: $959 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $71,548
- Top public schools: E.E. Lyon Elementary School (A), Joseph B. Lancaster Elementary School (A-), Madisonville Junior High School (A-)
- Top private schools: St. Paul's School (A+), St. Scholastica Academy (A), St. Peter Elementary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 78275 Highway 1082, Covington ($2.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
#17. Belle Chasse
- Population: 14,024
- Median home value: $263,400 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,379 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $66,653
- Top public schools: Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies (A), Belle Chasse Primary School (A), Belle Chasse High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 21215 LA Highway 23, Belle Chasse ($1.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $263,400 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,379 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $66,653
- Top public schools: Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies (A), Belle Chasse Primary School (A), Belle Chasse High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 21215 LA Highway 23, Belle Chasse ($1.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
#16. Claiborne
- Population: 11,602
- Median home value: $153,400 (67% own)
- Median rent: $963 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $56,318
- Top public schools: Claiborne School (A), West Ridge Middle School (A-), Highland Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Claiborne Christian School (B)
- Pictured: 212 Petunia Pkwy, West Monroe ($850,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $153,400 (67% own)
- Median rent: $963 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $56,318
- Top public schools: Claiborne School (A), West Ridge Middle School (A-), Highland Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Claiborne Christian School (B)
- Pictured: 212 Petunia Pkwy, West Monroe ($850,000, 4 bedrooms)
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#15. Norco
- Population: 2,850
- Median home value: $162,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $939 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $68,271
- Top public schools: Harry M. Hurst Middle School (A), Norco Elementary School (A), Destrehan High School (A)
- Pictured: 520 Spruce St, Norco ($249,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $162,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $939 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $68,271
- Top public schools: Harry M. Hurst Middle School (A), Norco Elementary School (A), Destrehan High School (A)
- Pictured: 520 Spruce St, Norco ($249,000, 4 bedrooms)
#14. Shenandoah
- Population: 20,252
- Median home value: $261,900 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,104 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $92,432
- Top public schools: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (A+), Mayfair Laboratory School (A-), Sherwood Middle Academic Academy (A-)
- Top private schools: St. Michael the Archangel High School (B+)
- Pictured: 17047 Mill Square Ave, Baton Rouge ($584,080, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $261,900 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,104 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $92,432
- Top public schools: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (A+), Mayfair Laboratory School (A-), Sherwood Middle Academic Academy (A-)
- Top private schools: St. Michael the Archangel High School (B+)
- Pictured: 17047 Mill Square Ave, Baton Rouge ($584,080, 4 bedrooms)
#13. Abita Springs
- Population: 2,532
- Median home value: $198,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,121 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $62,143
- Top public schools: Abita Springs Elementary School (A-), Fontainebleau High School (A-), Abita Springs Middle School (A-)
- Pictured: 740 Plantation Dr, Abita Springs ($730,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $198,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,121 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $62,143
- Top public schools: Abita Springs Elementary School (A-), Fontainebleau High School (A-), Abita Springs Middle School (A-)
- Pictured: 740 Plantation Dr, Abita Springs ($730,000, 4 bedrooms)
#12. Addis
- Population: 5,274
- Median home value: $205,100 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,034 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $77,819
- Top public schools: Brusly High School (B+), Lukeville Upper Elementary School (B), Brusly Middle School (B)
- Pictured: 6475 Sugar Harvest Ct, Addis ($378,159, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $205,100 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,034 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $77,819
- Top public schools: Brusly High School (B+), Lukeville Upper Elementary School (B), Brusly Middle School (B)
- Pictured: 6475 Sugar Harvest Ct, Addis ($378,159, 4 bedrooms)
#11. Sorrento
- Population: 1,681
- Median home value: $165,700 (78% own)
- Median rent: $847 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $61,207
- Top public schools: St. Amant High School (A), St. Amant Middle School (A-), St. Amant Primary School (A-)
- Pictured: 41131 Merrimac Dr, Sorrento ($287,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $165,700 (78% own)
- Median rent: $847 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $61,207
- Top public schools: St. Amant High School (A), St. Amant Middle School (A-), St. Amant Primary School (A-)
- Pictured: 41131 Merrimac Dr, Sorrento ($287,000, 4 bedrooms)
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#10. Montz
- Population: 2,111
- Median home value: $258,000 (86% own)
- Median rent: $603 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $96,771
- Top public schools: Harry M. Hurst Middle School (A), Norco Elementary School (A), Destrehan High School (A)
- Pictured: 134 Thoroughbred Ave, Montz ($245,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $258,000 (86% own)
- Median rent: $603 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $96,771
- Top public schools: Harry M. Hurst Middle School (A), Norco Elementary School (A), Destrehan High School (A)
- Pictured: 134 Thoroughbred Ave, Montz ($245,000, 3 bedrooms)
#9. Prien
- Population: 8,437
- Median home value: $241,300 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,456 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $82,140
- Top public schools: Prien Lake Elementary School (A-), T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School (A-), Vincent Settlement Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 5626 Lake St, Lake Charles ($492,050, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $241,300 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,456 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $82,140
- Top public schools: Prien Lake Elementary School (A-), T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School (A-), Vincent Settlement Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 5626 Lake St, Lake Charles ($492,050, 3 bedrooms)
#8. St. Rose
- Population: 7,352
- Median home value: $152,700 (71% own)
- Median rent: $730 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $49,816
- Top public schools: Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (A+), Albert Cammon Middle School (A), St. Rose Elementary School (A)
- Pictured: 109 Peter Ln, Saint Rose ($190,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $152,700 (71% own)
- Median rent: $730 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $49,816
- Top public schools: Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (A+), Albert Cammon Middle School (A), St. Rose Elementary School (A)
- Pictured: 109 Peter Ln, Saint Rose ($190,000, 3 bedrooms)
#7. Youngsville
- Population: 13,407
- Median home value: $222,800 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,150 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $89,038
- Top public schools: Early College Academy (A), Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy (A), Green T. Lindon Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Youngsville Christian School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1200 Chemin Agreable Rd, Youngsville ($2.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $222,800 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,150 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $89,038
- Top public schools: Early College Academy (A), Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy (A), Green T. Lindon Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Youngsville Christian School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1200 Chemin Agreable Rd, Youngsville ($2.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
#6. Luling
- Population: 14,049
- Median home value: $219,000 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,149 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $89,034
- Top public schools: J.B. Martin Middle School (A), Lakewood Elementary School (A), Mimosa Park Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 311 Lac Iberville Dr, Luling ($475,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $219,000 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,149 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $89,034
- Top public schools: J.B. Martin Middle School (A), Lakewood Elementary School (A), Mimosa Park Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 311 Lac Iberville Dr, Luling ($475,000, 4 bedrooms)
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#5. Elmwood
- Population: 5,698
- Median home value: $209,800 (16% own)
- Median rent: $1,226 (84% rent)
- Median household income: $57,396
- Top public schools: Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (A+), Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (A+), Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies (A)
- Pictured: 101 Bourgeois Ct, Harahan ($564,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $209,800 (16% own)
- Median rent: $1,226 (84% rent)
- Median household income: $57,396
- Top public schools: Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (A+), Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (A+), Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies (A)
- Pictured: 101 Bourgeois Ct, Harahan ($564,900, 4 bedrooms)
#4. Zachary
- Population: 17,283
- Median home value: $224,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,097 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $84,795
- Top public schools: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (A+), Northwestern Middle School (A), Zachary High School (A)
- Top private schools: Zachary Christian Academy (B+)
- Pictured: 1952 E Flonacher Rd, Zachary ($1.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $224,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,097 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $84,795
- Top public schools: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (A+), Northwestern Middle School (A), Zachary High School (A)
- Top private schools: Zachary Christian Academy (B+)
- Pictured: 1952 E Flonacher Rd, Zachary ($1.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
#3. Mandeville
- Population: 12,448
- Median home value: $288,900 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,133 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $72,989
- Top public schools: Mandeville High School (A), Woodlake Elementary School (A), Magnolia Trace Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic School (unavailable), Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School (unavailable), New Covenant Presbyterian Weekday School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 100 Mulberry Ave, Mandeville ($3.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $288,900 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,133 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $72,989
- Top public schools: Mandeville High School (A), Woodlake Elementary School (A), Magnolia Trace Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic School (unavailable), Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School (unavailable), New Covenant Presbyterian Weekday School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 100 Mulberry Ave, Mandeville ($3.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
#2. Destrehan
- Population: 11,398
- Median home value: $239,500 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,103 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $93,831
- Top public schools: Albert Cammon Middle School (A), Harry M. Hurst Middle School (A), St. Rose Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Charles Borromeo School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 104 Gabrielle Ln, Destrehan ($469,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $239,500 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,103 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $93,831
- Top public schools: Albert Cammon Middle School (A), Harry M. Hurst Middle School (A), St. Rose Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Charles Borromeo School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 104 Gabrielle Ln, Destrehan ($469,000, 4 bedrooms)
#1. Prairieville
- Population: 31,974
- Median home value: $236,500 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,188 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $99,953
- Top public schools: Dutchtown Middle School (A), Dutchtown High School (A), Prairieville Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: St. John Primary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 36312 Toulouse St, Prairieville ($1.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $236,500 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,188 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $99,953
- Top public schools: Dutchtown Middle School (A), Dutchtown High School (A), Prairieville Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: St. John Primary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 36312 Toulouse St, Prairieville ($1.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
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