Best parishes to live in 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)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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.