Most rural parishes in Louisiana

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural parishes in Louisiana

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. Stacker compiled a list of the most rural parishes in Louisiana using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Parishes are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. St. James Parish

- Rural area: 92.3% (223 square miles)
- Urban area: 7.7% (19 square miles)
- Total land area: 242 square miles
--- #61 largest parish in state, #2,926 nationwide

- Population density: 87.5 people / square mile (21,142 residents)
--- #40 lowest density parish in state, #2,152 nationwide

#49. Bossier Parish

- Rural area: 92.6% (778 square miles)
- Urban area: 7.4% (62 square miles)
- Total land area: 840 square miles
--- #17 largest parish in state, #995 nationwide

- Population density: 151.1 people / square mile (126,952 residents)
--- #51 lowest density parish in state, #2,480 nationwide

#48. St. Mary Parish

- Rural area: 93.9% (521 square miles)
- Urban area: 6.2% (34 square miles)
- Total land area: 555 square miles
--- #45 largest parish in state, #1,871 nationwide

- Population density: 90.1 people / square mile (50,020 residents)
--- #42 lowest density parish in state, #2,178 nationwide

#47. Iberia Parish

- Rural area: 94.1% (540 square miles)
- Urban area: 5.9% (34 square miles)
- Total land area: 574 square miles
--- #41 largest parish in state, #1,737 nationwide

- Population density: 123.3 people / square mile (70,763 residents)
--- #48 lowest density parish in state, #2,378 nationwide

#46. Lincoln Parish

- Rural area: 95.0% (448 square miles)
- Urban area: 5.0% (24 square miles)
- Total land area: 472 square miles
--- #47 largest parish in state, #2,186 nationwide

- Population density: 99.9 people / square mile (47,118 residents)
--- #47 lowest density parish in state, #2,250 nationwide

#45. St. Bernard Parish

- Rural area: 95.4% (360 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.6% (17 square miles)
- Total land area: 378 square miles
--- #54 largest parish in state, #2,611 nationwide

- Population density: 123.7 people / square mile (46,694 residents)
--- #49 lowest density parish in state, #2,381 nationwide

#44. Lafourche Parish

- Rural area: 95.5% (1,020 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.5% (48 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,068 square miles
--- #8 largest parish in state, #604 nationwide

- Population density: 91.7 people / square mile (97,980 residents)
--- #44 lowest density parish in state, #2,188 nationwide

#43. Terrebonne Parish

- Rural area: 95.5% (1,176 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.5% (56 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,232 square miles
--- #5 largest parish in state, #495 nationwide

- Population density: 90.4 people / square mile (111,297 residents)
--- #43 lowest density parish in state, #2,181 nationwide

#42. Rapides Parish

- Rural area: 95.5% (1,259 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.5% (59 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,318 square miles
--- #2 largest parish in state, #452 nationwide

- Population density: 98.9 people / square mile (130,376 residents)
--- #46 lowest density parish in state, #2,246 nationwide

#41. St. Martin Parish

- Rural area: 96.0% (708 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.0% (29 square miles)
- Total land area: 738 square miles
--- #25 largest parish in state, #1,199 nationwide

- Population density: 72.7 people / square mile (53,607 residents)
--- #39 lowest density parish in state, #2,009 nationwide

#40. Assumption Parish

- Rural area: 96.2% (326 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.8% (13 square miles)
- Total land area: 339 square miles
--- #56 largest parish in state, #2,715 nationwide

- Population density: 65.7 people / square mile (22,236 residents)
--- #37 lowest density parish in state, #1,922 nationwide

#39. St. Landry Parish

- Rural area: 96.7% (893 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.3% (31 square miles)
- Total land area: 924 square miles
--- #11 largest parish in state, #788 nationwide

- Population density: 89.6 people / square mile (82,786 residents)
--- #41 lowest density parish in state, #2,174 nationwide

#38. Plaquemines Parish

- Rural area: 97.0% (756 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.0% (24 square miles)
- Total land area: 780 square miles
--- #22 largest parish in state, #1,107 nationwide

- Population density: 29.9 people / square mile (23,305 residents)
--- #17 lowest density parish in state, #1,209 nationwide

#37. Webster Parish

- Rural area: 97.4% (578 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.6% (15 square miles)
- Total land area: 593 square miles
--- #40 largest parish in state, #1,648 nationwide

- Population density: 65.4 people / square mile (38,813 residents)
--- #36 lowest density parish in state, #1,917 nationwide

#36. Acadia Parish

- Rural area: 97.5% (639 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.5% (16 square miles)
- Total land area: 655 square miles
--- #30 largest parish in state, #1,439 nationwide

- Population density: 95.2 people / square mile (62,371 residents)
--- #45 lowest density parish in state, #2,219 nationwide

#35. Pointe Coupee Parish

- Rural area: 98.2% (547 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 557 square miles
--- #44 largest parish in state, #1,863 nationwide

- Population density: 39.3 people / square mile (21,883 residents)
--- #29 lowest density parish in state, #1,462 nationwide

#34. Jefferson Davis Parish

- Rural area: 98.2% (640 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 651 square miles
--- #31 largest parish in state, #1,448 nationwide

- Population density: 48.2 people / square mile (31,425 residents)
--- #31 lowest density parish in state, #1,660 nationwide

#33. Vernon Parish

- Rural area: 98.3% (1,306 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.7% (22 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,328 square miles
--- #1 largest parish in state, #448 nationwide

- Population density: 37.1 people / square mile (49,315 residents)
--- #27 lowest density parish in state, #1,403 nationwide

#32. Washington Parish

- Rural area: 98.3% (658 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.7% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 670 square miles
--- #28 largest parish in state, #1,406 nationwide

- Population density: 69.2 people / square mile (46,325 residents)
--- #38 lowest density parish in state, #1,969 nationwide

#31. Vermilion Parish

- Rural area: 98.5% (1,155 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.5% (18 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,173 square miles
--- #6 largest parish in state, #524 nationwide

- Population density: 51.0 people / square mile (59,787 residents)
--- #34 lowest density parish in state, #1,708 nationwide

#30. Iberville Parish

- Rural area: 98.6% (610 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.4% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 619 square miles
--- #37 largest parish in state, #1,558 nationwide

- Population density: 52.7 people / square mile (32,626 residents)
--- #35 lowest density parish in state, #1,734 nationwide

#29. Concordia Parish

- Rural area: 98.6% (687 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.4% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 697 square miles
--- #27 largest parish in state, #1,333 nationwide

- Population density: 28.0 people / square mile (19,533 residents)
--- #16 lowest density parish in state, #1,156 nationwide

#28. Evangeline Parish

- Rural area: 98.7% (654 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 662 square miles
--- #29 largest parish in state, #1,419 nationwide

- Population density: 50.6 people / square mile (33,491 residents)
--- #33 lowest density parish in state, #1,705 nationwide

#27. Morehouse Parish

- Rural area: 98.7% (785 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 795 square miles
--- #20 largest parish in state, #1,078 nationwide

- Population density: 31.7 people / square mile (25,189 residents)
--- #21 lowest density parish in state, #1,263 nationwide

#26. Avoyelles Parish

- Rural area: 98.8% (822 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 832 square miles
--- #18 largest parish in state, #1,009 nationwide

- Population density: 48.6 people / square mile (40,465 residents)
--- #32 lowest density parish in state, #1,666 nationwide

#25. Beauregard Parish

- Rural area: 98.8% (1,144 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (14 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,157 square miles
--- #7 largest parish in state, #534 nationwide

- Population density: 32.3 people / square mile (37,387 residents)
--- #23 lowest density parish in state, #1,282 nationwide

#24. Grant Parish

- Rural area: 99.0% (637 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 643 square miles
--- #33 largest parish in state, #1,480 nationwide

- Population density: 34.7 people / square mile (22,339 residents)
--- #25 lowest density parish in state, #1,337 nationwide

#23. Natchitoches Parish

- Rural area: 99.1% (1,240 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (12 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,252 square miles
--- #4 largest parish in state, #486 nationwide

- Population density: 30.7 people / square mile (38,505 residents)
--- #19 lowest density parish in state, #1,230 nationwide

#22. Jackson Parish

- Rural area: 99.2% (565 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 569 square miles
--- #42 largest parish in state, #1,792 nationwide

- Population density: 27.8 people / square mile (15,822 residents)
--- #15 lowest density parish in state, #1,150 nationwide

#21. Richland Parish

- Rural area: 99.3% (555 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 559 square miles
--- #43 largest parish in state, #1,859 nationwide

- Population density: 36.2 people / square mile (20,251 residents)
--- #26 lowest density parish in state, #1,375 nationwide

#20. Madison Parish

- Rural area: 99.3% (620 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 624 square miles
--- #36 largest parish in state, #1,546 nationwide

- Population density: 17.8 people / square mile (11,137 residents)
--- #7 lowest density parish in state, #822 nationwide

#19. LaSalle Parish

- Rural area: 99.3% (620 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 625 square miles
--- #34 largest parish in state, #1,544 nationwide

- Population density: 23.9 people / square mile (14,950 residents)
--- #11 lowest density parish in state, #1,039 nationwide

#18. Allen Parish

- Rural area: 99.3% (757 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 762 square miles
--- #23 largest parish in state, #1,147 nationwide

- Population density: 33.6 people / square mile (25,572 residents)
--- #24 lowest density parish in state, #1,307 nationwide

#17. East Carroll Parish

- Rural area: 99.4% (418 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 421 square miles
--- #50 largest parish in state, #2,408 nationwide

- Population density: 16.5 people / square mile (6,947 residents)
--- #6 lowest density parish in state, #786 nationwide

#16. Franklin Parish

- Rural area: 99.4% (621 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 625 square miles
--- #35 largest parish in state, #1,545 nationwide

- Population density: 32.2 people / square mile (20,109 residents)
--- #22 lowest density parish in state, #1,276 nationwide

#15. Union Parish

- Rural area: 99.4% (872 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 877 square miles
--- #13 largest parish in state, #918 nationwide

- Population density: 25.4 people / square mile (22,270 residents)
--- #13 lowest density parish in state, #1,085 nationwide

#14. De Soto Parish

- Rural area: 99.5% (872 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 876 square miles
--- #14 largest parish in state, #925 nationwide

- Population density: 31.3 people / square mile (27,395 residents)
--- #20 lowest density parish in state, #1,248 nationwide

#13. Winn Parish

- Rural area: 99.6% (946 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 950 square miles
--- #10 largest parish in state, #742 nationwide

- Population density: 14.9 people / square mile (14,165 residents)
--- #4 lowest density parish in state, #736 nationwide

#12. Claiborne Parish

- Rural area: 99.6% (752 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 755 square miles
--- #24 largest parish in state, #1,166 nationwide

- Population density: 21.0 people / square mile (15,854 residents)
--- #9 lowest density parish in state, #928 nationwide

#11. Bienville Parish

- Rural area: 99.7% (809 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 811 square miles
--- #19 largest parish in state, #1,043 nationwide

- Population density: 16.5 people / square mile (13,391 residents)
--- #5 lowest density parish in state, #785 nationwide

#10. Sabine Parish

- Rural area: 99.7% (864 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 867 square miles
--- #15 largest parish in state, #949 nationwide

- Population density: 27.6 people / square mile (23,915 residents)
--- #14 lowest density parish in state, #1,138 nationwide

#9. East Feliciana Parish

- Rural area: 100.0% (453 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 453 square miles
--- #49 largest parish in state, #2,258 nationwide

- Population density: 42.4 people / square mile (19,228 residents)
--- #30 lowest density parish in state, #1,523 nationwide

#8. West Feliciana Parish

- Rural area: 100.0% (403 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 403 square miles
--- #52 largest parish in state, #2,508 nationwide

- Population density: 38.3 people / square mile (15,441 residents)
--- #28 lowest density parish in state, #1,431 nationwide

#7. West Carroll Parish

- Rural area: 100.0% (360 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 360 square miles
--- #55 largest parish in state, #2,656 nationwide

- Population density: 30.4 people / square mile (10,934 residents)
--- #18 lowest density parish in state, #1,223 nationwide

#6. St. Helena Parish

- Rural area: 100.0% (408 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 408 square miles
--- #51 largest parish in state, #2,474 nationwide

- Population density: 25.0 people / square mile (10,227 residents)
--- #12 lowest density parish in state, #1,070 nationwide

#5. Red River Parish

- Rural area: 100.0% (389 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 389 square miles
--- #53 largest parish in state, #2,574 nationwide

- Population density: 21.7 people / square mile (8,462 residents)
--- #10 lowest density parish in state, #951 nationwide

#4. Caldwell Parish

- Rural area: 100.0% (529 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 529 square miles
--- #46 largest parish in state, #1,978 nationwide

- Population density: 18.8 people / square mile (9,959 residents)
--- #8 lowest density parish in state, #853 nationwide

#3. Catahoula Parish

- Rural area: 100.0% (708 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 708 square miles
--- #26 largest parish in state, #1,303 nationwide

- Population density: 13.5 people / square mile (9,586 residents)
--- #3 lowest density parish in state, #694 nationwide

#2. Tensas Parish

- Rural area: 100.0% (603 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 603 square miles
--- #39 largest parish in state, #1,619 nationwide

- Population density: 7.4 people / square mile (4,435 residents)
--- #2 lowest density parish in state, #465 nationwide

#1. Cameron Parish

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,285 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,285 square miles
--- #3 largest parish in state, #468 nationwide

- Population density: 5.4 people / square mile (6,963 residents)
--- #1 lowest density parish in state, #388 nationwide

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