Catahoula Parish's composite score of 76.2 places it in the 81st percentile nationally, well above the median of 50.0. This strong national performance reflects exceptional tax and housing affordability that rivals most U.S. counties.
2 / 5
Among Louisiana's best-ranked parishes
With a score of 76.2, Catahoula Parish ranks above the state average of 70.4, placing it among Louisiana's premier livability destinations. The parish consistently delivers on affordability and tax efficiency.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and highly affordable housing
Catahoula Parish features the lowest effective tax rate at 0.292% and a tax score of 94.1, paired with exceptional housing affordability (cost score 87.2, median rent $724, median home value $88,000). These advantages make it exceptionally attractive to budget-conscious residents.
4 / 5
Very low incomes and moderate risk exposure
The parish struggles with limited job opportunities, reflected in a median household income of just $47,753 and income score of 14.6. A risk score of 83.0 indicates notable environmental or natural hazard concerns that should be researched carefully.
5 / 5
Ideal for frugal families seeking rural stability
Catahoula Parish suits retirees, rural lifestyle seekers, and families prioritizing extremely low housing and tax costs. It's best for those with fixed or modest incomes who are less concerned with local employment and accept environmental risks.
Catahoula Parish's composite score of 76.2 places it in the 81st percentile nationally, well above the median of 50.0. This strong national performance reflects exceptional tax and housing affordability that rivals most U.S. counties.
Among Louisiana's best-ranked parishes
With a score of 76.2, Catahoula Parish ranks above the state average of 70.4, placing it among Louisiana's premier livability destinations. The parish consistently delivers on affordability and tax efficiency.
Lowest taxes and highly affordable housing
Catahoula Parish features the lowest effective tax rate at 0.292% and a tax score of 94.1, paired with exceptional housing affordability (cost score 87.2, median rent $724, median home value $88,000). These advantages make it exceptionally attractive to budget-conscious residents.
Very low incomes and moderate risk exposure
The parish struggles with limited job opportunities, reflected in a median household income of just $47,753 and income score of 14.6. A risk score of 83.0 indicates notable environmental or natural hazard concerns that should be researched carefully.
Ideal for frugal families seeking rural stability
Catahoula Parish suits retirees, rural lifestyle seekers, and families prioritizing extremely low housing and tax costs. It's best for those with fixed or modest incomes who are less concerned with local employment and accept environmental risks.
Score breakdown
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🏛94.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Catahoula Parish's effective tax rate of 0.292% ranks among the lowest in the United States, less than one-third the national median of 0.948%. With a median property tax of just $257, Catahoula residents pay less than 10% of the national median of $2,690.
Catahoula is Louisiana's lowest-tax parish
Catahoula Parish holds the distinction of the lowest effective tax rate in Louisiana at 0.292%, well below the state average of 0.421%. The median property tax of $257 is less than 35% of Louisiana's state median of $732.
Catahoula's taxes are the region's lowest
Catahoula Parish's 0.292% rate is the lowest in the eight-parish region, followed only by Caldwell Parish at 0.322%. Catahoula's rural character and lower property values combine to create the region's most affordable tax environment.
An $88,000 home costs $257 yearly
The median Catahoula home valued at $88,000 generates an estimated annual property tax bill of just $257. This exceptionally low combination of property value and tax rate makes Catahoula one of America's most tax-friendly rural parishes.
Even minimal taxes warrant assessment review
Catahoula Parish residents should still verify their assessed values are accurate, as errors can occur regardless of tax rate. A simple appeal to the assessor's office costs nothing and ensures you're paying only what you owe.
Catahoula Parish renters spend 18.2% of income on housing, beating the national average by roughly 2 percentage points. Despite a median household income of $47,753—36% below the national median—Catahoula delivers affordable rents.
Catahoula ranks among Louisiana's best
At 18.2%, Catahoula's rent-to-income ratio ranks better than Louisiana's state average of 19.5%, placing it in the state's most affordable tier. This rural parish punches above its weight on housing affordability.
Catahoula offers rural affordability
Catahoula's median rent of $724 undercuts Caddo Parish ($962) and matches Caldwell Parish ($756), while its median home value of $88,000 is the region's lowest. Few parishes offer comparable bang-for-your-buck pricing.
Catahoula's housing takes little income
Renters pay $724 monthly and homeowners pay $543 against a median income of $47,753—housing consumes under 20% of household earnings. This affordability margin is rare even among rural Louisiana parishes.
Catahoula delivers rural economics
For families prioritizing affordability, Catahoula Parish offers some of Louisiana's lowest rents and property values. The parish's below-average housing burden makes it ideal for those relocating on modest incomes.
Catahoula Parish households earn $47,753 annually, roughly 36% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This income deficit reflects limited employment diversity and the challenges facing rural Louisiana.
Lower-Tier Earner Statewide
Catahoula's $47,753 falls below Louisiana's state average of $55,250, placing it in the lower third of Louisiana parishes. The parish's economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture and small-scale industries.
Slightly Better Than Claiborne
Catahoula's $47,753 exceeds struggling Claiborne Parish ($31,784) and Concordia ($37,349), but trails De Soto ($46,077) and Caddo ($50,067). The parish ranks in the middle of Louisiana's rural income spectrum.
Favorable Rent-to-Income Ratio
Catahoula's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% is notably low, making housing costs very sustainable for renters in the parish. The median home value of $88,000 is also among Louisiana's most affordable, easing housing burdens on limited incomes.
Build Stability Through Discipline
Catahoula residents earning $47,753 should prioritize debt reduction and establish automatic savings transfers to build financial resilience. Low housing costs create an opportunity to direct savings toward emergency funds and retirement accounts, laying groundwork for future prosperity.
Catahoula Parish residents live to 70.9 years—more than seven years less than the U.S. average of 77.9 years. Nearly one in four residents (23.4%) report poor or fair health, significantly above the national average of 18.5%. These gaps reflect persistent health disparities in this rural community.
Well below Louisiana's health average
At 70.9 years, Catahoula Parish trails Louisiana's state average of 72.5 years by 1.6 years. Its 23.4% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state norm, placing Catahoula in the lower half of Louisiana's parishes. Chronic disease prevention and provider expansion are urgent needs.
Among the region's least healthy
Catahoula's 70.9-year life expectancy ranks below Calcasieu (73.5 years), Claiborne (73.8 years), and De Soto (73.8 years). Its 23.4% poor/fair health rate is higher than Calcasieu (20.6%) and De Soto (22.7%), signaling greater health burden. Rural isolation and limited resources compound these challenges.
Healthcare access in Catahoula Parish
With 8.3% uninsured—slightly above Louisiana's 8.1% average—coverage gaps compound access issues. Catahoula has critically limited primary care at just 11 providers per 100K, forcing residents to travel far for routine care. Mental health providers at 48 per 100K offer minimal behavioral health support.
Find affordable health coverage
If you're uninsured in Catahoula, Louisiana's marketplace offers plans from $0 to affordable monthly rates depending on your income. Call 211 Louisiana or visit louisiana.gov to explore options and get enrollment help. Health insurance opens doors to the preventive care that adds years to your life.
Catahoula ranks among America's lowest-risk counties
Catahoula Parish's composite risk score of 17.02 places it among the nation's safest counties with a Very Low rating. This score reflects minimal exposure across most hazard categories, with only hurricane risk (74.01) reaching moderate levels. Nationally, Catahoula represents one of the most disaster-resilient parishes in the United States.
Catahoula is nearly three times safer than Louisiana average
At 17.02, Catahoula's composite risk score is 72% lower than Louisiana's state average of 62.37. Catahoula ranks among the state's lowest-risk parishes, substantially outpacing most Louisiana peers. This exceptional safety profile reflects the parish's inland location and limited exposure to major hazard types.
Catahoula safest in its immediate region
Catahoula's 17.02 score is substantially lower than nearby Concordia Parish (31.55), Claiborne Parish (41.73), and dramatically lower than Caddo Parish (92.62). Among its immediate region, Catahoula presents the most favorable risk profile by a wide margin. This makes Catahoula one of Louisiana's most disaster-resilient areas.
Catahoula's hurricane risk reaches 74.01—its dominant hazard, though moderate in absolute terms given the parish's inland location. Earthquake risk (39.85) and tornado risk (30.38) present minor threats, while flood risk (14.47) remains well-controlled. Seasonal hurricane preparedness addresses Catahoula's primary disaster exposure.
Basic coverage appropriate for Catahoula properties
Catahoula's very low composite risk means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most properties. Flood insurance remains advisable given Louisiana's location, though Catahoula's flood risk (14.47) is among the state's lowest. Seasonal hurricane preparedness and basic emergency supplies round out reasonable protection for this exceptionally safe parish.