Best parishes to live in Louisiana

Written by:
April 8, 2024
Laura Beach // Shutterstock

Best parishes to live in Louisiana

More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.

Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.

Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.

Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.

Stacker compiled a list of the best parishes to live in Louisiana using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks parishes by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Keep reading to see if your parish made the list.

1 / 30
Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock

#30. St. Martin Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 1,178
- Population: 51,856
- Median household income: $50,806
- Median home value: $139,900 (78% own)
- Median rent: $773 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Breaux Bridge Primary School (grade A minus), Parks Primary School (grade B+), Stephensville Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: St. Bernard School (grade unavailable), Louisiana Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Cecilia (grade B), Henderson (grade B), Cade (grade B)

2 / 30
Engi Caribe // Shutterstock

#29. Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 1,177
- Population: 23,305
- Median household income: $77,996
- Median home value: $253,300 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,559 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Belle Chasse Academy (grade A+), Belle Chasse Primary School (grade A), Boothville-Venice Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Belle Chasse (grade B+), Empire (grade B minus), Port Sulphur (grade B minus)

3 / 30
Canva

#28. Sabine Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 1,132
- Population: 22,209
- Median household income: $40,777
- Median home value: $112,300 (73% own)
- Median rent: $659 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Many High School (grade A), Negreet High School (grade B+), Converse High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Belmont Union Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Many (grade B minus), Fort Jesup (grade B+), Zwolle (grade B)

4 / 30
Canva

#27. Iberia Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 1,061
- Population: 69,958
- Median household income: $55,190
- Median home value: $152,400 (69% own)
- Median rent: $846 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Coteau Elementary School (grade B+), Belle Place Middle School (grade B+), North Lewis Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Acadiana Christian School (grade A minus), Highland Baptist Christian School (grade B+), Catholic High School (grade B)
- Top places: New Iberia (grade B), Jeanerette (grade B), Loreauville (grade C+)

5 / 30
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#26. De Soto Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 960
- Population: 26,821
- Median household income: $49,807
- Median home value: $144,100 (75% own)
- Median rent: $660 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: North DeSoto Middle School (grade A minus), North DeSoto High School (grade B+), North DeSoto Elementary School (3-5) (grade B)
- Top private schools: Central School Corporation (grade B minus)
- Top places: Mansfield (grade C+), Stanley (grade B+), Stonewall (grade B)

6 / 30
Canva

#25. Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 944
- Population: 32,277
- Median household income: $52,470
- Median home value: $149,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $787 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Welsh Elementary School (grade B+), Elton Elementary School (grade B+), Lake Arthur High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Our Lady Immaculate School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Lake Arthur (grade B), Welsh (grade B), Jennings (grade B minus)

7 / 30
Canva

#24. Vernon Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 917
- Population: 48,452
- Median household income: $56,547
- Median home value: $141,900 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,020 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: Anacoco Elementary School (grade A minus), Parkway Elementary School (grade A minus), Rosepine High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Faith Training Christian Academy (grade B), First Assembly Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: New Llano (grade B+), Rosepine (grade B), Leesville (grade B)

8 / 30
Canva

#23. Livingston Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 885
- Population: 143,425
- Median household income: $77,978
- Median home value: $210,100 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,130 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Juban Parc Elementary School (grade A minus), Freshwater Elementary School (grade A minus), Live Oak High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Open Door Christian Academy (grade C+), Amite Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Denham Springs (grade A minus), Watson (grade B+), Albany (grade B+)

9 / 30
JWCohen // Shutterstock

#22. Lafourche Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 843
- Population: 97,220
- Median household income: $61,381
- Median home value: $177,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $873 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Bayou Blue Elementary School (grade A), Bayou Community Academy Charter School (grade A minus), Thibodaux Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: E.D. White Catholic High School (grade B+), St. Joseph Elementary School (grade unavailable), St. Genevieve School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Bayou Country Club (grade B+), Thibodaux (grade B+), Golden Meadow (grade B)

10 / 30
Canva

#21. Ouachita Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 828
- Population: 159,585
- Median household income: $49,261
- Median home value: $172,800 (60% own)
- Median rent: $886 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Lexington Elementary School (grade A minus), Claiborne School (grade A minus), Sterlington Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: St. Frederick High School (grade A), River Oaks School (grade A minus), Ouachita Christian School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Claiborne (grade B+), Swartz (grade B+), West Monroe (grade B+)

11 / 30
Canva

#20. Iberville Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 804
- Population: 30,210
- Median household income: $59,410
- Median home value: $161,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $803 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Crescent Elementary/Junior High School (grade B+), Plaquemine Senior High School (grade B), Iberville Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: St. John High School (grade C), St. John Elementary School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Rosedale (grade B+), Plaquemine (grade B+), St. Gabriel (grade B minus)

12 / 30
Canva

#19. Allen Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 793
- Population: 22,798
- Median household income: $52,755
- Median home value: $113,400 (76% own)
- Median rent: $734 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Kinder High School (grade B+), Kinder Middle School (grade B+), Fairview High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Indian Bible Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Oakdale (grade B), Oberlin (grade B), Kinder (grade B)

13 / 30
Canva

#18. St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 777
- Population: 44,038
- Median household income: $55,857
- Median home value: $184,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,037 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Joseph J. Davies Elementary School (grade A minus), Lacoste Elementary School (grade A minus), N.P. Trist Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Our Lady of Prompt Succor School (grade unavailable), Lynn Oaks School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Arabi (grade B+), Meraux (grade B+), Chalmette (grade B+)

14 / 30
William A. Morgan // Shutterstock

#17. Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 753
- Population: 436,171
- Median household income: $63,257
- Median home value: $231,700 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,121 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (grade A+), Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (grade A+), Marrero Academy for Advanced Studies (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Metairie Park Country Day School (grade A+), St. Martin's Episcopal School (grade A), Knights Academy & High School (grade A)
- Top places: River Ridge (grade A), Metairie (grade A), Harahan (grade A)

15 / 30
Canva

#16. Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 688
- Population: 108,862
- Median household income: $63,088
- Median home value: $174,400 (74% own)
- Median rent: $956 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Dularge Elementary School (grade A), Bourg Elementary School (grade A minus), Mulberry Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Messiah Montessori School (grade A minus), Vandebilt Catholic High School (grade B), Houma Christian School (grade B minus)
- Top places: Bayou Cane (grade B+), Schriever (grade B+), Houma (grade B)

16 / 30
Canva

#15. Rapides Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 608
- Population: 129,536
- Median household income: $55,407
- Median home value: $171,400 (66% own)
- Median rent: $925 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Alexandria Senior High School (grade A), Phoenix Magnet Elementary School (grade A), Peabody Montessori Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Alexandria Country Day School - Upper School (grade A minus), Grace Christian School (grade A minus), Holy Savior Menard Central High School (grade B+)
- Top places: Woodworth (grade A minus), Ball (grade B+), Pineville (grade B+)

17 / 30
Canva

#14. St. James Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 581
- Population: 20,090
- Median household income: $62,946
- Median home value: $185,200 (84% own)
- Median rent: $801 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Lutcher High School (grade B+), Paulina Elementary School (grade B), St. James High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: St. Peter Chanel Interparochial School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: South Vacherie (grade B+), Paulina (grade B+), Grand Point (grade B+)

18 / 30
Nina Alizada // Shutterstock

#13. West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 579
- Population: 15,358
- Median household income: $71,985
- Median home value: $239,700 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,034 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: West Feliciana Middle School (grade A), Bains Elementary School (grade A minus), West Feliciana High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: St. Francisville (grade B minus)

19 / 30
Canva

#12. Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 521
- Population: 36,553
- Median household income: $68,525
- Median home value: $150,200 (82% own)
- Median rent: $867 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: South Beauregard Upper Elementary School (grade B), Pine Wood Elementary School (grade B), South Beauregard Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: DeRidder (grade B+), Merryville (grade B minus), Singer (grade C+)

20 / 30
Canva

#11. Vermilion Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 438
- Population: 57,202
- Median household income: $56,194
- Median home value: $154,000 (76% own)
- Median rent: $745 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Cecil Picard Elementary School at Maurice (grade A minus), Seventh Ward Elementary School (grade A minus), Erath Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Vermilion Catholic, a legacy of Mount Carmel (grade B+), Maltrait Memorial Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Erath (grade A minus), Maurice (grade B+), Abbeville (grade B)

21 / 30
Canva

#10. LaSalle Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 421
- Population: 14,764
- Median household income: $59,926
- Median home value: $120,500 (83% own)
- Median rent: $646 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Goodpine Middle School (grade B+), Jena High School (grade B+), Jena Junior High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Temple Baptist Church (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Jena (grade A minus), Urania (grade B+), Olla (grade B)

22 / 30
Canva

#9. West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 402
- Population: 27,377
- Median household income: $80,510
- Median home value: $223,900 (75% own)
- Median rent: $976 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Brusly High School (grade B+), Brusly Upper Elementary School (grade B+), Lukeville Upper Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Holy Family School (grade unavailable), Faith Academy of Christian Education (grade unavailable), Sharon Baptist Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Brusly (grade A minus), Addis (grade A minus), Port Allen (grade B)

23 / 30
Canva

#8. Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 330
- Population: 210,770
- Median household income: $64,370
- Median home value: $196,900 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,025 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Westwood Elementary School (grade A), Prien Lake Elementary School (grade A), T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Louis Catholic High School (grade A), Hamilton Christian School (grade B minus), Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Westlake (grade A), Prien (grade A minus), Moss Bluff (grade B+)

24 / 30
Canva

#7. Bossier Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 273
- Population: 128,877
- Median household income: $64,598
- Median home value: $206,600 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,101 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Stockwell Place Elementary School (grade A), Legacy Elementary School (grade A), Kingston Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Classical Academy (grade A), St. Jude Greenfield Child Development Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Benton (grade A minus), Bossier City (grade B+), Red Chute (grade B+)

25 / 30
Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock

#6. St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 261
- Population: 266,168
- Median household income: $76,914
- Median home value: $262,400 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,247 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Mandeville Junior High School (grade A), L.P. Monteleone Junior High School (grade A), Magnolia Trace Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Paul's School (grade A), Christ Episcopal School (grade A minus), Northlake Christian School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Abita Springs (grade A), Mandeville (grade A), Madisonville (grade A)

26 / 30
Canva

#5. Lincoln Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 259
- Population: 48,323
- Median household income: $37,001
- Median home value: $184,300 (52% own)
- Median rent: $817 (48% rent)
- Top public schools: A.E. Phillips Laboratory School (grade A+), Hillcrest Elementary School (grade A), Glen View Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Cedar Creek School (grade A), Bethel Christian School (grade B), New Living Word School (grade B minus)
- Top places: Ruston (grade B+), Grambling (grade B), Vienna (grade A minus)

27 / 30
ccpixx photography // Shutterstock

#4. St. Charles Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 249
- Population: 52,191
- Median household income: $79,191
- Median home value: $248,600 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,122 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: New Sarpy Elementary School (grade A), Mimosa Park Elementary School (grade A), J.B. Martin Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Charles Borromeo School (grade unavailable), Life Church Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Destrehan (grade A), St. Rose (grade A minus), Luling (grade A minus)

28 / 30
Canva

#3. East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 205
- Population: 454,369
- Median household income: $62,083
- Median home value: $232,800 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,081 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (grade A+), Northwestern Middle School (grade A), Tanglewood Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (grade A+), The Dunham School (grade A), St. Joseph's Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Inniswold (grade A), Downtown (grade A), Shenandoah (grade A)

29 / 30
Canva

#2. Ascension Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 172
- Population: 126,973
- Median household income: $93,800
- Median home value: $255,600 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,230 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Bluff Middle School (grade A), Bullion Primary School (grade A), Bluff Ridge Primary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Ascension Catholic Diocesan Regional School (grade A minus), Ascension Christian Schools (grade A minus), St. John Primary School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Prairieville (grade A), Sorrento (grade A minus), Gonzales (grade B+)

30 / 30
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#1. Lafayette Parish, Louisiana

- Overall Rank: 92
- Population: 243,175
- Median household income: $66,617
- Median home value: $222,400 (66% own)
- Median rent: $986 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Early College Academy (grade A), Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy (grade A minus), Broadmoor Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Episcopal School of Acadiana (grade A+), Ascension Episcopal School (grade A), St. Thomas More Catholic High School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Youngsville (grade A), Broussard (grade A), Lafayette (grade A minus)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

Explore by Metro

Acadia Parish

Explore

Alexandria

Explore

Allen Parish

Explore

Ascension Parish

Explore

Assumption Parish

Explore

Avoyelles Parish

Explore

Baton Rouge

Explore

Beauregard Parish

Explore

Bienville Parish

Explore

Bossier Parish

Explore

Caddo Parish

Explore

Calcasieu Parish

Explore

Caldwell Parish

Explore

Cameron Parish

Explore

Catahoula Parish

Explore

Claiborne Parish

Explore

Concordia Parish

Explore

De Soto Parish

Explore

East Baton Rouge Parish

Explore

East Carroll Parish

Explore

East Feliciana Parish

Explore

Evangeline Parish

Explore

Franklin Parish

Explore

Grant Parish

Explore

Hammond

Explore

Houma

Explore

Iberia Parish

Explore

Iberville Parish

Explore

Jackson Parish

Explore

Jefferson Davis Parish

Explore

Jefferson Parish

Explore

LaSalle Parish

Explore

Lafayette

Explore

Lafayette Parish

Explore

Lafourche Parish

Explore

Lake Charles

Explore

Lincoln Parish

Explore

Livingston Parish

Explore

Madison Parish

Explore

Monroe

Explore

Morehouse Parish

Explore

Natchitoches Parish

Explore

New Orleans

Explore

Ouachita Parish

Explore

Plaquemines Parish

Explore

Pointe Coupee Parish

Explore

Rapides Parish

Explore

Red River Parish

Explore

Richland Parish

Explore

Sabine Parish

Explore

Shreveport

Explore

St. Bernard Parish

Explore

St. Charles Parish

Explore

St. Helena Parish

Explore

St. James Parish

Explore

St. John the Baptist Parish

Explore

St. Landry Parish

Explore

St. Martin Parish

Explore

St. Mary Parish

Explore

St. Tammany Parish

Explore

Tangipahoa Parish

Explore

Tensas Parish

Explore

Terrebonne Parish

Explore

Union Parish

Explore

Vermilion Parish

Explore

Vernon Parish

Explore

Washington Parish

Explore

Webster Parish

Explore

West Baton Rouge Parish

Explore

West Carroll Parish

Explore

West Feliciana Parish

Explore

Winn Parish

Explore

Trending Now