countyscore
59.3
County Score
Property Tax 96.1Safety 94.8Soil Quality 71.8

County Report Card

About Iberia Parish, Louisiana

High National Livability Rank

Iberia Parish impresses with a composite score of 59.3, well above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a parish that manages to balance several key quality-of-life factors effectively.

A Standout in Louisiana

Scoring nearly six points above the state average of 53.0, Iberia Parish is one of Louisiana's top-tier locations. It outperforms many larger parishes in safety and fiscal metrics.

Premier Safety and Low Taxes

Safety is the parish's crown jewel with an elite score of 94.8. Taxes are also extremely low, scoring 96.1 thanks to an effective property tax rate of just 0.351%.

Environmental Risk and Health Needs

Environmental risk is the parish's weakest point with a score of 9.4, likely due to coastal proximity. Health outcomes also lag the state with a score of 28.4.

Ideal for Safety-Conscious Retirees

This parish is a top choice for those who prioritize personal safety and low taxes above all else. It is perfect for residents who want an affordable, safe community and are prepared for coastal risks.

Score breakdown

Tax96.1Cost57.2Safety94.8Health28.4Schools43.1Income32.4Risk9.4Water33.5Weather26.9
🏛96.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠57.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡94.8
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤28.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓43.1
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡9.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧33.5
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤26.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨71.8
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱27.9
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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Nearby counties

St. Mary Parish
Louisiana
48.9
St. Martin Parish
Louisiana
47.6
Lafayette Parish
Louisiana
34.3
Vermilion Parish
Louisiana
57.6
Iberville Parish
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Assumption Parish
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Acadia Parish
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St. Landry Parish
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Deep Dives

Iberia Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Iberia Parish

via TaxByCounty

Iberia Parish taxes remain below national

At 0.351%, Iberia Parish's effective property tax rate sits comfortably below the national median of 0.420%, placing it in the nation's bottom 35%. The median tax bill of $547 is just 20% of the national median of $2,690, aided by median home values below the national average at $156,000.

Below-average rate statewide

Iberia Parish's 0.351% effective rate trails Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, offering homeowners lighter-than-typical tax burdens. The median annual bill of $547 is below the state median of $732.

Mid-range among regional parishes

Iberia Parish's 0.351% rate falls between affordable parishes like Evangeline (0.273%) and higher-taxed Grant Parish (0.636%). On a $150,000 home, Iberia residents pay roughly $525 annually—less than Grant but more than most neighboring options.

Reasonable tax for the region

On the median home value of $156,000, Iberia residents pay approximately $547 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the figure rises to $706 when other assessments are included.

Assessment appeal could help

Iberia Parish homeowners should review their property assessments for accuracy. If your home's assessed value is too high, an appeal to the parish assessor can lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Iberia Parish

via CostByCounty

Solid affordability with regional strength

Iberia Parish renters spend 18.5% of income on rent, just above the national affordability threshold of 18%, supported by median household income of $57,811 that, while below the U.S. average of $74,755, exceeds most rural Louisiana parishes. This positions Iberia as one of the region's more balanced housing markets.

Better than state average affordability

Iberia's 18.5% rent-to-income ratio beats Louisiana's state average of 19.5% by a full point, while median rent of $891 sits just 2% above the state average. The parish delivers solid affordability for a regional commercial center.

Mid-range rents, above-average income

Iberia's median rent of $891 trails East Baton Rouge ($1,121) significantly but exceeds most rural parishes, aligned with its stronger median income of $57,811. Adjacent Iberville Parish rents at $817 with similar income, giving Iberia a 9% rent premium.

Balanced housing burden

Renters paying $891 monthly dedicate 18.5% of $57,811 income to housing, while owners paying $688 (14.3%) fare modestly better. Both housing types remain well within affordability guidelines, supported by above-average regional incomes.

Iberia blends affordability with amenities

Iberia Parish offers better-than-average Louisiana affordability (18.5% rent-to-income) plus a more developed economy than purely rural parishes, home median value of $156,000, making it attractive for those seeking regional job access without major metropolitan costs. Consider this parish if you want rural character with urban-adjacent economic opportunity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Iberia Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Iberia earns below national average

Iberia Parish households earn $57,811 annually, falling 23% short of the national median of $74,755. The parish lags most metro areas but maintains solid middle-class wages by rural standards.

Moderate earner in state

Iberia's $57,811 exceeds Louisiana's state average of $55,250 by 5%, placing it slightly above the middle of parishes. The parish benefits from oil and gas refining, petrochemicals, and a diversified economy centered on the Teche region.

Competitive with nearby parishes

Iberia's $57,811 edges Iberville Parish ($57,459) and trails East Baton Rouge Parish ($63,075) to the north. The parishes form a cohesive economic zone anchored by petroleum and chemical industries.

Housing remains accessible

At 18.5%, Iberia's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below 30%, indicating stable housing affordability for renters. The median home value of $156,000 aligns well with household earning capacity.

Steady path to financial security

Iberia residents earning nearly $58,000 should automate savings and explore employer benefits like 401(k) matching. Consider consulting a financial advisor about debt reduction strategies and long-term wealth building in your stable economy.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Iberia Parish

via CrimeByCounty

Iberia Reports Near-Zero Crime

Iberia Parish reports an exceptionally low total crime rate of 2.9 per 100K, nearly zero compared to the national average. This results in a perfect safety score of 100.0.

A Statewide Safety Leader

This score far exceeds the Louisiana state average of 97.1. Three local agencies provide these figures, reflecting a very high level of reported safety.

Vastly Safer Than Nearby Regions

Iberia's reported rate of 2.9 per 100K is a stark contrast to Iberville’s 1,641.8. It is a statistical standout for safety in the southern Louisiana region.

Minimal Reported Violent Incidents

Violent crime is reported at 0.0 per 100K, with property crime at a negligible 2.9. These numbers suggest an environment where criminal activity is extremely rare.

Keep Up Good Habits

Even with perfect safety scores, basic precautions like locking vehicles remain vital. Maintaining this high standard of community safety requires continued vigilance from all residents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Iberia Parish

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy trails national average by seven years

Iberia residents live to 71.7 years, falling significantly short of the national average of 78.9 years and slightly below Louisiana's state average. About 25.2% report poor or fair health, indicating substantial chronic disease burden across the parish.

Parish ranks in middle tier of state health metrics

Iberia's life expectancy and health perception place it near Louisiana's state median, performing slightly better than rural northern parishes but worse than urban centers. The 8.6% uninsured rate is slightly above state average, pointing to modest insurance access gaps.

Moderate provider access limited by mental health gaps

Iberia has 46 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a reasonable density for a parish of its size and rural character. Mental health providers are scarce at 160 per 100,000, creating a significant gap for residents managing depression, anxiety, and trauma alongside chronic physical conditions.

Insurance gaps and mental health shortage combine

With 91.4% of residents insured, most Iberia residents can access primary care, but the low density of mental health providers means psychiatric support requires travel or long waits. The 8.6% uninsured population faces double barriers: cost and scarcity of available care.

Secure coverage to access available primary care

If you're uninsured in Iberia Parish, enroll through Louisiana Medicaid or healthcare.gov to access the primary care providers in your community. Insurance removes the cost barrier to preventive care and chronic disease management.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Iberia Parish

via SchoolsByCounty

The Extensive Iberia Parish School System

Iberia Parish supports 21 public schools that provide education to 10,746 students. The system is elementary-heavy with 14 primary campuses, complemented by three middle schools and four high schools. This infrastructure serves as a major employer and social pillar for the surrounding community.

Surpassing State Graduation Standards

The parish achieves a 90% graduation rate, which is higher than both the Louisiana state average and the 87% national benchmark. Education spending is $6,884 per pupil, trailing the state average of $7,881. The county maintains a school score of 53.3, which aligns directly with the state average and beats the national median.

One District, Many Campuses

The Iberia Parish district manages 10,746 students with a traditional school model and no charter schools. New Iberia Senior High School is the district's largest campus, housing 1,449 students. The district oversees a large geographic area, ensuring that education is accessible from the city centers to the coastal rural regions.

Suburban Focus with Large High Schools

The majority of schools—12 in total—are located in suburban settings, with another 8 serving rural areas. Average school size is 512 students, but secondary schools like New Iberia and Westgate High are significantly larger, serving 993 to 1,449 students. This mix offers a range of school sizes to fit different student needs.

Settle Near Iberia's Reliable Schools

Iberia Parish offers a stable and high-performing school system that consistently beats state graduation targets. Families looking for suburban convenience and large-school extracurriculars should focus their home search in the New Iberia area. The district’s strong performance makes local real estate a smart choice for parents.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Iberia Parish

via RiskByCounty

Iberia Parish faces severe national-level risk

Iberia Parish's composite risk score of 90.62 places it in the relatively-moderate category but ranks among the most hazard-exposed counties nationally. Extreme hurricane exposure (97.29) and elevated tornado risk (91.57) combine with substantial flooding (81.42) to create a severe multi-hazard environment. The parish sits in America's upper tier of disaster-prone locations.

Iberia ranks among Louisiana's highest-risk

At 90.62, Iberia Parish scores 28.2 points above Louisiana's state average of 62.37, making it one of the state's most hazardous regions. Only East Baton Rouge Parish (97.96) scores higher, with Iberia occupying a clear second-place position in statewide disaster risk. Residents face substantially greater threats than most Louisiana communities.

Second only to East Baton Rouge in risk

Iberia (90.62) trails only East Baton Rouge (97.96) but far outpaces every other nearby parish, including Iberville (73.73), East Feliciana (56.42), and Evangeline (75.92). Its hurricane exposure is among the state's highest and its tornado risk nearly rivals the highest-risk parishes. Iberia ranks unmistakably in Louisiana's most dangerous tier.

Hurricanes and tornadoes threaten relentlessly

Hurricanes dominate Iberia Parish's threat landscape at 97.29, nearly the highest possible score, while tornadoes add severe secondary risk at 91.57. Flooding (81.42) compounds these threats during tropical systems and heavy rainfall events. This trinity of hazards creates an exceptionally challenging disaster environment requiring year-round preparedness.

Comprehensive insurance is absolutely essential

Homeowners must carry full windstorm/hurricane insurance, flood insurance through NFIP (especially given coastal location), and maximum homeowners coverage to address tornado and wind damage. Hurricane shutters, roof reinforcement, and proper elevation for flood risk are critical physical investments. With Iberia's extreme exposure, maintaining 100% replacement-cost coverage is not optional—it's a survival necessity.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Iberia Parish

via WeatherByCounty

One of the Warmest Spots in the U.S.

Iberia Parish averages a warm 68.9°F annually, far exceeding the national median. This coastal-adjacent climate receives 62.6 inches of annual precipitation, well above the Louisiana state average of 60.8 inches.

Exceeding the Louisiana State Average

The parish is significantly warmer than the state average, with its 68.9°F mean topping the 67.0°F Louisiana baseline. It ranks as one of the toastier regions in the state due to its southern location.

Warmer and Wetter Than Inland Parishes

Iberia is over four degrees warmer than East Carroll and receives about four inches more rain than Franklin. It records 0.0 inches of snowfall, consistent with its deep south position.

Long Summers and Very Mild Winters

The parish faces 83 extreme heat days a year with a July average of 82.6°F. Winters are among the mildest in the state, with a January average of 52.5°F and a winter seasonal mean of 54.5°F.

Maximize Cooling and Hurricane Readiness

With 83 days of extreme heat and 62.6 inches of rain, efficient air conditioning and flood insurance are critical. The mild 54.5°F winter average means heavy coats are rarely needed, but humidity control is a year-round task.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Iberia Parish

via SoilByCounty

The richest soil score in the region

Iberia Parish earns an impressive soil score of 71.8, far exceeding the state average of 54.6. Though its pH of 5.43 is acidic, the overall nutrient and structural quality of this soil is exceptional.

Dense silts and clays with low sand

With only 9.5% sand, this soil is dominated by 45.8% silt and 27.3% clay. This creates a heavy, rich earth that is excellent at holding onto the parish's high volume of organic nutrients.

Massive organic matter and water capacity

Iberia Parish leads with a staggering 9.68% organic matter, nearly five times the national average. This is paired with a high water capacity of 0.213 in/in, making it some of the most fertile ground in the South.

Naturally saturated coastal plains

Official drainage classes are missing, but the high organic matter and low sand suggest a landscape that stays damp. The soil is designed to hold moisture, which is ideal for wetland-adapted agriculture.

Sugarcane and tropicals in Zone 9b

Zone 9b's warmth combined with elite soil fertility makes this the heart of sugarcane country. Whether you're growing citrus or peppers, the incredible organic content of Iberia will fuel a massive harvest.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Iberia Parish

via LawnByCounty

Significant Hurdles for Iberia Lawns

Iberia Parish has a lawn difficulty score of 27.9, making it much tougher to manage than the state average of 33.8. Located in Zone 9b, the region's climate is nearly tropical, presenting year-round maintenance needs.

Long Growing Season and High Heat

With over 7,100 growing degree days, grass grows incredibly fast here and requires frequent mowing. The 83 days of extreme heat and 62.6 inches of rain create a humid environment where weeds and pests thrive.

High Clay and Acidity Challenges

A soil pH of 5.43 is quite acidic, necessitating regular applications of lime to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. The 27.3% clay content can hold onto moisture, which may be a problem given the very high annual rainfall.

Persistent Dry Spells Impact Turf

The parish saw 13 weeks of drought over the past year, and 96.6% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. While not in the most severe category, these dry conditions require supplemental watering to prevent grass from going dormant.

Early Starts in Zone 9b

The final frost usually passes by February 14, allowing for an exceptionally early start to the growing season. Warm-season grasses like St. Augustine are best suited for the humid, hot conditions that dominate this southern parish.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Iberia Parish's county score?
Iberia Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 59.3 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 Iberia Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
Iberia Parish ranks #20 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 Iberia Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in Iberia Parish is $547, with an effective tax rate of 0.35%. This earns Iberia Parish a tax score of 96.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Iberia Parish?
The median household income in Iberia Parish, Louisiana is $57,811 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Iberia Parish earns an income score of 32.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Iberia Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
Iberia Parish scores 59.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #20 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate Iberia 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 Iberia Parish with other counties side by side.

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🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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