CountyScore

Claiborne Parish

Louisiana · LA

#23 in Louisiana
72.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Claiborne Parish, Louisiana

Claiborne scores solidly above the national median

Claiborne Parish's composite score of 72.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 77th percentile. This strong national ranking reflects particularly impressive housing affordability and low-tax policies.

Slightly above Louisiana's average livability

Claiborne Parish scores 72.5, edging above Louisiana's state average of 70.4 and ranking solidly among the state's 64 parishes. The parish offers consistent livability, though with notable limitations in income opportunity.

Exceptional housing affordability and low taxes

Claiborne Parish excels with a cost score of 91.8 and median rent of just $619, the lowest in this group, plus median home values around $82,400. A tax score of 91.9 (effective rate 0.369%) ensures minimal tax burden on residents.

Severe income challenges and health concerns

The parish faces critical challenges with a median household income of just $31,784 and income score of 4.1, the lowest in this cohort. A health score of 55.1 also lags peer parishes, suggesting limited health care access or outcomes.

For retirees with fixed income and savings

Claiborne Parish is best suited for retirees with savings, Social Security, or other fixed income sources who can live comfortably on minimal expenses. It offers extreme affordability but requires acceptance of very limited local employment and health care options.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax91.9Cost91.8SafetyComing SoonHealth55.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome4.1Risk58.3WaterComing Soon
🏛91.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼4.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡58.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Claiborne Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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72.5
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Benewah County
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72.5
Median income: $56,553
White County
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72.5
Median income: $66,143
Kossuth County
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72.5
Median income: $65,656

Deep Dives

Claiborne Parish across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Claiborne Parish

via TaxByCounty

Claiborne taxes far below the U.S. average

Claiborne Parish's effective tax rate of 0.369% is less than 40% of the national median of 0.948%. At $304 in median property taxes, Claiborne homeowners pay roughly 11% of the national median of $2,690, placing the parish in the nation's lowest-tax category.

Claiborne ranks in Louisiana's lower third

Claiborne Parish's 0.369% effective tax rate sits below Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, with a median property tax of $304 versus the state median of $732. Only Catahoula (0.292%) and Caldwell (0.322%) tax lower in the state.

Claiborne's rate falls below state average

Claiborne Parish's 0.369% rate ranks fifth among the eight parishes examined, below the state average and well below Caddo and Calcasieu. It aligns with similarly rural, lower-assessment parishes across north Louisiana.

An $82,400 home costs $304 yearly

The median Claiborne home valued at $82,400 generates an estimated annual property tax bill of $304 without mortgage payments, or $467 including additional assessments. Claiborne's combination of modest property values and moderate tax rates keeps costs exceptionally low.

Appeal if your assessed value seems wrong

Claiborne Parish homeowners should verify their assessments reflect current market values, not outdated historical data. Filing an appeal with the parish assessor is free and can correct overvaluations that inflate even low tax bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Claiborne Parish

via CostByCounty

Claiborne faces steepest burdens

Claiborne Parish residents spend 23.4% of their income on rent—the highest ratio in our analysis and well above the national norm. A median household income of $31,784, the state's lowest, amplifies housing's squeeze on household budgets.

Least affordable Louisiana parish

At 23.4%, Claiborne's rent-to-income ratio represents Louisiana's worst housing affordability crisis, significantly exceeding the state average of 19.5%. Combined with the state's lowest median income, Claiborne residents face the toughest housing conditions.

Claiborne rents strain lowest incomes

Claiborne's median rent of $619 is among the region's cheapest, yet its median income of $31,784 makes that rent proportionally devastating. Neighboring parishes with higher incomes experience far less housing pressure despite higher absolute rents.

Nearly a quarter goes to housing

Claiborne renters pay $619 monthly and homeowners pay $370 against a median income of $31,784—meaning housing consumes a quarter of earnings. This leaves limited resources for food, transportation, healthcare, and savings.

Claiborne requires income-centered planning

If relocating to Claiborne, prioritize job prospects that exceed the current median income of $31,784. Higher earnings, not lower housing costs, offer the only realistic path to affordable living in this parish.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Claiborne Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Claiborne Faces Acute Income Crisis

Claiborne Parish households earn just $31,784 annually, nearly 58% below the national median of $74,755. This severe income shortfall makes Claiborne one of the poorest parishes in Louisiana and reflects decades of economic disinvestment.

Lowest Income Parish in Louisiana

Claiborne Parish's $31,784 median ranks among the absolute lowest in the state, falling 42% below Louisiana's average of $55,250. The parish represents one of the state's most economically distressed communities.

Significantly Behind Regional Peers

Claiborne's $31,784 trails all nearby parishes: Caldwell ($44,957), Catahoula ($47,753), Concordia ($37,349), and De Soto ($46,077). The pronounced gap underscores Claiborne's unique economic vulnerability.

High Rent Burden Despite Low Costs

Claiborne's rent-to-income ratio of 23.4% is elevated relative to its low earnings, suggesting renters stretch budgets significantly for housing. The median home value of $82,400 is affordable in absolute terms, but represents a challenge for households earning under $32,000.

Seek Community Support Programs

Claiborne residents earning $31,784 should explore local workforce development programs, vocational training, and government assistance to stabilize finances. Building even modest savings requires accessing community resources, nonprofit credit counseling, and opportunities for skill development and wage growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Claiborne Parish

via HealthByCounty

Claiborne's health faces major barriers

Claiborne Parish residents live to 73.8 years—still about 4 years below the U.S. average of 77.9 years. A striking one in three residents (32.5%) report poor or fair health, far exceeding the national average of 18.5%. These health challenges demand comprehensive community response.

Louisiana's unhealthiest parish studied

At 73.8 years, Claiborne Parish slightly exceeds Louisiana's state average of 72.5 years in life expectancy. However, its 32.5% poor/fair health rate is the worst among all parishes reviewed, indicating severe chronic disease burden. This disconnect signals that many residents live with manageable but limiting health conditions.

Struggling with disproportionate health burden

Claiborne's 32.5% poor/fair health rate vastly exceeds all neighbors: Caddo (23.5%), Catahoula (23.4%), and De Soto (22.7%). Though its life expectancy of 73.8 years ties De Soto, the self-reported health crisis suggests unmet needs in chronic disease management. Community health interventions are urgently needed.

Healthcare access in Claiborne Parish

Claiborne's uninsured rate of 9.6% is the highest among all parishes reviewed—nearly 1.5 points above Louisiana's average. With just 50 primary care providers per 100K, access is severely limited for a population facing major health challenges. Mental health providers at 110 per 100K offer minimal support for behavioral health needs.

Health coverage changes everything

With nearly 1 in 10 residents uninsured, Claiborne Parish can transform health outcomes by increasing coverage. Visit louisiana.gov or call 211 to explore Medicaid expansion and marketplace plans tailored to your income. Getting covered gives you access to the preventive care that manages chronic disease.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Claiborne Parish

via RiskByCounty

Claiborne faces very low national disaster risk

Claiborne Parish's composite risk score of 41.73 places it well below the national average with a Very Low rating. This score reflects moderate tornado exposure (62.98) offset by low flood (35.21) and wildfire (28.63) risks. Nationally, Claiborne ranks as a relatively safe parish with limited multi-hazard exposure.

Claiborne's risk is substantially below state average

At 41.73, Claiborne's composite risk score is 33% lower than Louisiana's state average of 62.37. Claiborne ranks among Louisiana's lower-risk parishes, providing residents with notably reduced disaster exposure compared to most statewide peers. This favorable profile reflects the parish's inland location and limited hazard concentration.

Claiborne safer than Caddo, riskier than Catahoula

Claiborne's 41.73 score falls between its neighbors: substantially lower than Caddo Parish (92.62) but higher than Catahoula Parish (17.02). Among the northern parish cluster, Claiborne presents mid-range risk, with tornado exposure exceeding most nearby counties. This moderate profile makes Claiborne an average-to-favorable location within its region.

Tornado risk Claiborne's primary hazard

Claiborne's tornado risk reaches 62.98—well above the parish average and its most significant threat during spring storm season. Hurricane risk (69.55) presents secondary seasonal exposure, while earthquake risk (48.76) remains moderate. Together, these three hazards account for most of Claiborne's disaster exposure.

Tornado coverage should complement standard insurance

Claiborne's tornado risk (62.98) means residents should ensure their homeowners policy covers wind damage from severe storms. Flood insurance remains advisable for properties in flood-prone areas, though Claiborne's overall flood risk (35.21) is moderate. Review your coverage during tornado season (March–June) to confirm adequate windstorm protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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