CountyScore

De Soto Parish

Louisiana · LA

#10 in Louisiana
74.4
County Score

County Report Card

About De Soto Parish, Louisiana

De Soto ranks well above the national average

De Soto Parish's composite score of 74.4 places it in the 80th percentile nationally, significantly exceeding the median of 50.0. This strong ranking reflects particularly effective tax and housing affordability policies.

Above Louisiana's state average livability

De Soto Parish scores 74.4, outperforming Louisiana's state average of 70.4 and ranking among the upper tier of the state's 64 parishes. The parish delivers consistent livability advantages to residents.

Lowest tax rate and very affordable housing

De Soto Parish features the lowest effective tax rate at 0.310% and a tax score of 93.6, paired with solid housing affordability (cost score 86.2, median rent $719, median home value $150,700). Health care access is also relatively strong at 65.2.

Low incomes and moderate environmental risks

The parish faces limited income opportunity with a median household income of $46,077 and income score of 13.5. A risk score of 58.0 indicates moderate environmental or disaster exposure that residents should evaluate.

Ideal for retirees seeking small-town living

De Soto Parish suits retirees and rural families who value low taxes, affordable housing, and reasonable health care access without requiring robust local employment. It's a strong choice for those seeking quiet, affordable community living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax93.6Cost86.2SafetyComing SoonHealth65.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.5Risk58WaterComing Soon
🏛93.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡58
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 De Soto Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Searcy County
Arkansas
74.4
Median income: $41,978
Carroll County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $64,003
Fountain County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $62,526
Jasper County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $79,634
Perry County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $61,099

Deep Dives

De Soto Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in De Soto Parish

via TaxByCounty

De Soto taxes far below the U.S. average

De Soto Parish's effective tax rate of 0.310% ranks among America's lowest, less than one-third the national median of 0.948%. At $467 in median annual property taxes, De Soto homeowners pay roughly 17% of the national median of $2,690.

De Soto ranks in Louisiana's bottom tier

De Soto Parish's 0.310% effective tax rate sits well below Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, with a median property tax of $467 versus the state median of $732. Only Catahoula Parish taxes lower among all Louisiana parishes.

De Soto ties Caldwell for lowest regional rate

De Soto Parish's 0.310% rate ties with Caldwell Parish as the second-lowest in the eight-parish region, trailing only Catahoula Parish's 0.292%. De Soto reflects the tax-friendly character of rural northwestern Louisiana.

A $150,700 home costs $467 yearly

The median De Soto home valued at $150,700 generates an estimated annual property tax bill of $467 without mortgage payments, or $1,047 including additional assessments and homestead exemptions. De Soto offers a notably tax-friendly environment for homeowners.

Contest your De Soto property assessment

De Soto Parish residents should verify their assessed values align with recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods. The assessor accepts appeals at no charge, and many homeowners discover overvaluations that inflated their tax obligations.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in De Soto Parish

via CostByCounty

De Soto balances affordability well

De Soto Parish residents spend 18.7% of their income on rent, beating the national average despite a median income of $46,077 that trails the nation's $74,755. De Soto delivers affordable housing relative to regional incomes.

De Soto ranks among Louisiana's best

At 18.7%, De Soto's rent-to-income ratio outperforms Louisiana's state average of 19.5%, placing it in the state's more affordable upper tier. This rural parish punches above its weight on housing affordability.

De Soto offers competitive value

De Soto's median rent of $719 sits between Caldwell Parish ($756) and Catahoula Parish ($724), while its median income of $46,077 matches rural regional peers. Home values of $150,700 offer solid middle ground between urban and ultra-rural properties.

De Soto's balanced housing economics

Renters pay $719 monthly and homeowners pay $619 against a median income of $46,077—housing takes under 19% of earnings. De Soto achieves the rare balance of rural affordability without excessive income strain.

De Soto suits balanced relocations

For families seeking affordable Louisiana living with manageable housing burdens, De Soto Parish offers strong value. The parish's below-average affordability ratio makes it ideal for those relocating on moderate incomes.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in De Soto Parish

via IncomeByCounty

De Soto Falls Below National Median

De Soto Parish households earn $46,077 annually, about 38% below the U.S. median of $74,755. The income shortfall reflects challenges common to rural Louisiana parishes with limited industrial or service-sector employment.

Lower-Tier Earner in State

De Soto's $46,077 median trails Louisiana's state average of $55,250, ranking the parish in the lower third statewide. The parish's economy depends heavily on agriculture, forestry, and small businesses.

Middle of Rural Louisiana Group

De Soto's $46,077 sits between Caldwell ($44,957) and Catahoula ($47,753), but trails Caddo ($50,067) and significantly lags Calcasieu ($67,849) and Cameron ($72,500). The parish occupies the middle tier of northwest Louisiana's economic spectrum.

Favorable Housing Affordability

De Soto's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% is quite favorable, giving renters comfortable housing cost margins relative to earnings. The median home value of $150,700 remains accessible for households earning $46,077, supporting modest homeownership rates.

Leverage Low Housing Costs

De Soto residents earning $46,077 benefit from low housing costs, freeing up resources for savings and retirement contributions. Prioritize building employer-matching 401(k) contributions and explore low-cost index funds to build wealth steadily over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in De Soto Parish

via HealthByCounty

De Soto approaches national health averages

De Soto Parish residents live to 73.8 years—still about 4 years less than the U.S. average of 77.9 years. Nearly one in four residents (22.7%) report poor or fair health, above the national average of 18.5%. De Soto's health profile shows moderate but improvable outcomes.

De Soto matches Louisiana's health average

At 73.8 years, De Soto Parish exceeds Louisiana's state average of 72.5 years by 1.3 years. Its 22.7% poor/fair health rate sits slightly above the state norm, placing De Soto in the middle tier of Louisiana parishes. Continued health investments can strengthen these outcomes further.

Competing well with regional peers

De Soto's 73.8-year life expectancy matches Claiborne and exceeds Caddo (71.4 years), Catahoula (70.9 years), and Concordia (70.5 years). Its 22.7% poor/fair health rate is better than most neighbors except Calcasieu (20.6%), positioning De Soto in the region's middle band. Strengthening primary care could improve these gains.

Healthcare access in De Soto Parish

De Soto's 8.1% uninsured rate matches Louisiana's state average, with just 19 primary care providers per 100K—a significant constraint. Mental health providers at 243 per 100K offer reasonable behavioral health access. For a parish facing moderate health challenges, primary care expansion is urgently needed.

Keep your health insurance active

With about 92% of De Soto residents covered, maintaining that rate protects community health gains. Check your coverage at open enrollment and explore any available cost-saving options at louisiana.gov. Staying insured ensures consistent access to the preventive care that keeps you healthy.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in De Soto Parish

via RiskByCounty

De Soto faces very low national disaster risk

De Soto Parish's composite risk score of 42.02 places it well below the national average with a Very Low rating. This score reflects moderate tornado exposure (50.00) and wildfire risk (55.47) offset by low earthquake (42.27) and flood (46.25) risks. Nationally, De Soto ranks as a relatively safe parish with limited extreme hazard exposure.

De Soto's risk is substantially below state average

At 42.02, De Soto's composite risk score is 33% lower than Louisiana's state average of 62.37. De Soto ranks among Louisiana's lower-risk parishes, providing residents with notably reduced disaster exposure compared to most statewide peers. This favorable profile reflects De Soto's inland location and limited hazard concentration.

De Soto safer than Caddo, comparable to Claiborne

De Soto's 42.02 score substantially lowers than Caddo Parish (92.62) but similar to nearby Claiborne Parish (41.73). Among northern parishes, De Soto presents moderate-to-favorable risk, with wildfire exposure (55.47) being its distinguishing characteristic. This profile makes De Soto a reasonably safe location within its region.

Wildfire and tornado risks shape De Soto's exposure

De Soto's wildfire risk reaches 55.47—its most significant threat—while tornado risk (50.00) presents equally important seasonal exposure during spring months. Hurricane risk (67.38) adds secondary seasonal threat, though De Soto's inland location limits coastal storm surge. Together, these three hazards drive most of De Soto's disaster exposure.

Wildfire and wind coverage essential for De Soto

De Soto's wildfire risk (55.47) means property owners should verify coverage for fire damage and maintain defensible space around structures. Ensure your homeowners policy covers wind damage from tornadoes and severe storms, given tornado risk (50.00) during spring. Review coverage annually and consider additional protection if your property is near forested areas or fire-prone zones.

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.