Bienville Parish's composite score of 74.2 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. This solid performance reflects a parish delivering above-average livability across multiple quality-of-life dimensions compared to most American communities.
2 / 5
Top performer among Louisiana parishes
With a composite score of 74.2, Bienville Parish ranks above Louisiana's state average of 70.4 and among the state's strongest performers. It stands among Louisiana's more livable parishes on the composite index.
3 / 5
Exceptional affordability and low tax burden
Bienville Parish offers Louisiana's most affordable housing with median home values of $93,600 and median rent of just $600 per month (cost score: 91.7). Combined with a strong tax score of 93.3 (effective rate 0.319%), Bienville delivers unmatched affordability for budget-conscious residents.
4 / 5
Very low incomes and modest health outcomes
An income score of just 6.2 and median household income of only $34,992 represent the lowest earning potential among these eight parishes. Health outcomes score just 55.3, and a risk score of 71.4 suggests the parish faces notable environmental or economic resilience challenges.
5 / 5
Best for retirees on fixed, modest incomes
Bienville Parish suits retirees and individuals with fixed pensions seeking the absolute lowest cost of living and minimal tax burdens in Louisiana. The very low incomes and resilience concerns make it less suitable for working-age families dependent on local employment or those prioritizing economic growth potential.
Bienville Parish's composite score of 74.2 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. This solid performance reflects a parish delivering above-average livability across multiple quality-of-life dimensions compared to most American communities.
Top performer among Louisiana parishes
With a composite score of 74.2, Bienville Parish ranks above Louisiana's state average of 70.4 and among the state's strongest performers. It stands among Louisiana's more livable parishes on the composite index.
Exceptional affordability and low tax burden
Bienville Parish offers Louisiana's most affordable housing with median home values of $93,600 and median rent of just $600 per month (cost score: 91.7). Combined with a strong tax score of 93.3 (effective rate 0.319%), Bienville delivers unmatched affordability for budget-conscious residents.
Very low incomes and modest health outcomes
An income score of just 6.2 and median household income of only $34,992 represent the lowest earning potential among these eight parishes. Health outcomes score just 55.3, and a risk score of 71.4 suggests the parish faces notable environmental or economic resilience challenges.
Best for retirees on fixed, modest incomes
Bienville Parish suits retirees and individuals with fixed pensions seeking the absolute lowest cost of living and minimal tax burdens in Louisiana. The very low incomes and resilience concerns make it less suitable for working-age families dependent on local employment or those prioritizing economic growth potential.
Score breakdown
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🏛93.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.319%, Bienville Parish's effective tax rate sits below the national median of 0.72%. The median property tax of $299 represents just 11% of the national median of $2,690.
Below-average taxes for Louisiana
Bienville's effective rate of 0.319% underperforms the state average of 0.421%. Its median property tax of $299 falls far short of the state median of $732, keeping Bienville among Louisiana's most tax-friendly parishes.
Affordable rates in North Louisiana
Bienville's 0.319% rate outperforms nearby Bossier Parish (0.642%), though it edges above Allen Parish (0.180%). For northern Louisiana, Bienville offers reasonable property tax costs.
Low tax burden on modest homes
On Bienville's median home value of $93,600, homeowners pay just $299 per year in property taxes—about $25 monthly. Including mortgage-related taxes, the total reaches approximately $584 annually.
Don't assume your assessment is fair
Even in low-tax parishes like Bienville, some homeowners overpay due to outdated assessments or administrative errors. A free appeal to the parish assessor can verify whether your assessed value matches your home's true market value.
Bienville Parish: Affordable but income-challenged
Bienville Parish achieves a 20.6% rent-to-income ratio despite being Louisiana's lowest-income parish at $34,992 annually—53% below the national median. The $600 median rent represents genuine value, yet consumes a significant share of already-meager earnings. Bienville's affordability paradox reflects regional wage depression alongside low rental costs.
Bienville ranks among Louisiana's least affordable
At 20.6%, Bienville Parish's rent-to-income ratio sits above Louisiana's 19.5% state average, placing it among the more challenging parishes despite rock-bottom rents. The core issue isn't housing costs—it's the parish's severe income constraints. Economic opportunity, not housing availability, represents Bienville's central challenge.
Lowest rents mask income crisis in North Louisiana
Bienville's $600 median rent is Louisiana's lowest, undercutting every peer parish including Acadia ($725) and Allen ($739). Yet residents earn just $34,992—the state's lowest income—making the rent-to-income ratio 20.6% despite cheap housing. This region faces a employment and wage problem, not a housing shortage.
Ownership offers modest cost reduction
Bienville renters earning $34,992 spend $600 monthly (20.6%), while homeowners pay just $405 (13.9%)—a meaningful advantage for those able to buy. The $93,600 median home value suggests accessible entry points for first-time buyers with savings. Ownership meaningfully improves housing affordability here.
Bienville: Only if you bring outside income
Bienville Parish's $600 rents seem attractive until you learn local median income sits at just $34,992—the state's lowest—making rents consume 20.6% of earnings. Only relocate here if you're bringing remote employment, retirement income, or job opportunities significantly above local wages. Housing is cheap; opportunity is scarce.
Bienville Parish's median household income of $34,992 falls 53% below the national median of $74,755. This $39,763 annual shortfall places Bienville among the nation's economically most challenged parishes.
Louisiana's lowest-income parish
Bienville Parish ranks among Louisiana's lowest-income parishes, with a median household income of $34,992 versus the state average of $55,250. The $20,258 annual gap reflects severe economic distress relative to state peers.
Significantly underearns all surrounding parishes
Bienville's $34,992 median income falls well below nearby parishes—$29,997 less than Beauregard Parish at $64,995. This stark disparity indicates limited economic opportunities and employment challenges in the parish.
Housing costs strain tight budgets
Bienville's rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% shows housing consumes more than one-fifth of median household earnings, creating affordability stress. At $93,600 median home values, many households struggle to afford even modest homeownership while meeting other needs.
Prioritize income stability and growth first
At $34,992, wealth-building starts with income stability and job security—investing in yourself through skills training and credential programs offers the highest return. Focus on emergency savings before other investments, and explore community resources for financial assistance and economic opportunity programs.
Bienville Parish residents live to just 68.7 years, a stark 7.7 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Over 30% report poor or fair health—nearly 12 points above the national 18%. Bienville ranks last in life expectancy among these eight parishes.
Louisiana's most troubled health parish
At 68.7 years, Bienville's life expectancy ranks among Louisiana's absolute lowest, trailing the state average of 72.5 years by nearly 4 years. The 30.1% poor/fair health rate is among the state's worst. Despite 7.2% uninsured (better than state average), health outcomes remain catastrophic.
Severe provider shortage despite mental health
Bienville has just 16 primary care physicians per 100K—among the region's lowest and a critical bottleneck. Paradoxically, it has 307 mental health providers per 100K, the highest in the group and nearly double peer averages. This mismatch suggests mental health crisis and inadequate primary care.
Primary care desert drives health crisis
With only 16 primary care providers per 100K, Bienville residents struggle to access basic preventive and chronic disease care. The high mental health provider ratio (307 per 100K) may reflect untreated underlying health conditions manifesting as mental distress. This imbalance traps residents in poor health.
Coverage is essential first step
Bienville's 7.2% uninsured rate is better than state average, yet health outcomes remain dire—a sign that coverage alone is insufficient without provider access. Still, if you're uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to secure coverage and build a relationship with a available primary care provider. Stable coverage anchors recovery efforts.
Bienville Parish's composite risk score of 28.66 ranks it as very low—one of the safest parishes in Louisiana and well below the state average of 62.37. This makes Bienville an exceptionally low-risk location for natural disasters.
Louisiana's safest parish by far
Bienville ranks at the very bottom of Louisiana's disaster risk distribution, offering residents dramatically better odds than most state parishes. Even the parish's highest individual hazard—tornado risk at 54.17—remains moderate compared to state peers.
Significantly safer than nearby parishes
Bienville's 28.66 score is far below Bossier Parish (82.54) to the west and all other nearby parishes. The parish stands alone as Louisiana's lowest-risk region.
Tornado risk is highest concern
Bienville's primary hazard is tornado risk (54.17), which remains moderate rather than severe by state standards. Hurricane exposure (67.88) and flood risk (25.13) are both significantly lower than typical Louisiana parishes.
Standard insurance typically sufficient
Bienville residents can rely on standard homeowners policies for basic coverage, though windstorm riders remain prudent given Louisiana's geography. The parish's low risk profile means residents can focus resources on routine maintenance and basic preparedness rather than specialized coverage.