countyscore
64.2
County Score
Cost of Living 97.8Property Tax 97.6Schools 94

County Report Card

About Bienville Parish, Louisiana

Bienville Parish Beats Median

Bienville Parish earns a 64.2 composite score, well ahead of the national median of 50.0. Its extreme affordability drives this high ranking.

A Value Leader in Louisiana

Bienville’s score of 64.2 significantly exceeds the state average of 53.0. It is one of the most cost-effective parishes in the entire state.

Peak Affordability and Education

The parish earns a cost score of 97.8 and a tax score of 97.6, with median rents at just $600. Surprisingly, school quality is a major highlight with a score of 94.0.

Economic and Utility Gaps

Local wages are very low, with an income score of 0.9 and a median household income of $34,992. Infrastructure is also a concern, as shown by a water score of just 2.3.

Ideal for Remote Workers

Bienville is a hidden gem for remote workers who want high-quality schools and extremely low living costs. It provides massive financial savings if your income is not tied to the local economy.

Score breakdown

Tax97.6Cost97.8Safety39.5Health26Schools94Income0.9Risk71.4Water2.3Weather37.3
🏛97.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠97.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼0.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡39.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤26
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓94
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡71.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧2.3
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤37.3
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨26.1
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱28.8
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Deep Dives

Bienville Parish across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bienville Parish

via TaxByCounty

Bienville taxes remain well below national norms

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bienville Parish

via CostByCounty

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.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bienville Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Bienville faces critical income gap

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Bienville Parish

via CrimeByCounty

High Safety Standards in Bienville Parish

Bienville Parish earns a high safety score of 97.8, making it a very safe place relative to the national landscape. Its total crime rate of 1,373.6 per 100,000 is far lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Comparing Bienville to Louisiana Averages

The parish safety score of 97.8 is higher than the Louisiana average of 97.1. However, since only one agency reported data, residents should consider these figures a partial snapshot of parish safety.

A Quiet Presence Among Neighbors

On paper, Bienville appears safer than many of its more active neighbors in North Louisiana. This single-agency data suggests a calm environment, though it may not capture all local incidents.

Understanding Local Crime Categories

Property crimes are reported at 1,049.5 per 100,000, while violent crimes stand at 324.1. Both of these metrics fall below the national property crime rate of 2,015.7 and violent crime rate of 369.8.

Keeping Your Household Secure

Residents can help maintain the 97.8 safety score by implementing basic home security measures. Lighting and visible locks are effective tools against the 1,049.5 property crimes reported per 100,000 residents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Bienville Parish

via HealthByCounty

Bienville faces the nation's health crisis

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.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Bienville Parish

via SchoolsByCounty

Small-Scale, High-Impact Education in Bienville

Bienville Parish educates 1,971 students within 8 public schools. The structure is unique, featuring 4 schools that cover combined grade levels along with 2 elementary and 2 high schools.

Top-Tier School Scores and High Investment

Bienville Parish stands out with a school score of 65.5 and a graduation rate of 97.0%. The parish invests $10,825 per pupil, which is much closer to the national average of $13,000 than many neighboring counties.

A Single District with Intimate School Sizes

The Bienville Parish district manages the entire local system without any charter school involvement. Castor High School is the largest campus in the parish, yet it only enrolls 457 students, ensuring small class sizes.

Quiet Learning in a Primarily Rural Setting

Six of the parish's 8 schools are located in rural areas, while 2 serve the local towns. With an average school size of only 246 students, attending school here offers a very personal, small-town feel.

Experience Personalized Learning in Bienville

If you value small class sizes and high per-pupil investment, Bienville Parish is an excellent place to buy a home. Explore local listings to find a quiet residence near top-rated schools like Castor High or Saline High.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bienville Parish

via RiskByCounty

Bienville Parish has very low risk

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.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Bienville Parish

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Trends in Northern Louisiana

Bienville Parish averages 65.2°F annually, which is warmer than the national median but cooler than most of the state. It features a humid subtropical climate with slightly more seasonal variety.

Below the Louisiana State Average

The parish is cooler than the Louisiana state average of 67.0°F. It is also drier than most parishes, receiving 57.1 inches of rain compared to the 60.8-inch state average.

The Cooler Side of the Region

Bienville is notably cooler than Bossier Parish, which averages 65.9°F. It also receives about 5 inches more rainfall annually than Bossier, despite being nearby.

88 Days of Heat and Trace Snow

Even with cooler annual averages, the parish sees 88 days of extreme heat over 90°F. Winters are the coldest in this group, averaging 48.4°F with 0.5 inches of annual snowfall.

Winter Prep and Summer Cooling

Residents should prepare for occasional freezes and the rare half-inch of snow. While summers are shorter than in the south, the 88 days of extreme heat still demand powerful air conditioning.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Bienville Parish

via SoilByCounty

Sandy and Acidic Northern Soils

Bienville Parish soil has a pH of 5.38, falling well below the national median of 6.5. This acidic profile is common in the northern hill country and reflects the parish's low Soil Score of 26.1. Though taxonomic data is unavailable, the soil's chemistry is a primary factor for local land use.

Light and Sandy Textures

The soil is largely sand at 57.0%, supported by 30.3% silt and 12.7% clay. This composition makes for very light soil that does not easily compact and is effortless to till. However, it lacks the 'thirst-quenching' clay that helps keep plants hydrated during dry spells.

Challenging Nutrient and Water Storage

With 1.72% organic matter and an available water capacity of only 0.138 in/in, this soil is among the least retentive in the state. Both figures sit below the Louisiana averages of 6.38% and 0.182 in/in, respectively. Gardeners must focus on building up soil health with mulches and organic amendments.

Slow Infiltration Despite Sand

Classified as Hydrologic Group D, these soils actually exhibit high runoff potential despite their sandy texture. This usually suggests a shallow depth to a nearly impervious layer, like a hardpan, which blocks water from sinking deep. Managing water flow is critical to prevent erosion on sloped terrain.

Summer Success in Zone 8b

Located in Zone 8b, Bienville Parish is great for heat-loving peppers and Southern peas. The sandy soil is excellent for watermelons, which prefer the loose texture for root development. Start small, add organic matter, and watch your garden flourish in the North Louisiana sun.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Bienville Parish

via LawnByCounty

Northern Louisiana Lawn Care Realities

Bienville Parish carries a lawn difficulty score of 28.8, making it more challenging than the state average. As part of hardiness zone 8b, the winters are slightly cooler here than in the southern parishes, affecting grass selection.

Hot Summers and Moderate Rainfall

Bienville sees 88 extreme heat days per year and receives 57.1 inches of rain, which is closer to the ideal 50-inch mark than many other Louisiana parishes. However, July temperatures still average 82.4°F, putting significant heat stress on traditional turf.

Fertilizing Sandy and Acidic Ground

The soil is highly sandy at 57.0%, which is great for drainage but challenging for nutrient retention. With a pH of 5.38, you will likely need to amend the soil with lime to help your lawn absorb the fertilizer it needs.

Mitigating Severe Drought Impact

With 17 weeks in drought over the last year and 27.9% of the parish currently in severe drought, water management is key. The sandy soil doesn't hold moisture long, so mulching your grass clippings can help return nutrients and moisture to the root zone.

Planning Around the Frost Dates

Wait until after the last frost on March 19 to plant your warm-season grass. You have a shorter window here than in South Louisiana, as the first fall frost arrives earlier, typically around November 9.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bienville Parish's county score?
Bienville Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 64.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Bienville Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
Bienville Parish ranks #12 among all counties in Louisiana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Bienville Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in Bienville Parish is $299, with an effective tax rate of 0.32%. This earns Bienville Parish a tax score of 97.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Bienville Parish?
The median household income in Bienville Parish, Louisiana is $34,992 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bienville Parish earns an income score of 0.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Bienville Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
Bienville Parish scores 64.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #12 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate Bienville Parish is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Bienville Parish with other counties side by side.

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.