CountyScore

Jackson Parish

Louisiana · LA

#8 in Louisiana
75.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Jackson Parish, Louisiana

Jackson Parish leads national peers

With a composite score of 75.4, Jackson Parish significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it well into the upper tier of U.S. counties. This 51% advantage over the national baseline reflects strong affordability and tax conditions that make it an above-average place to live overall.

Above average for Louisiana

Jackson Parish ranks above Louisiana's state average of 70.4, making it one of the stronger-performing parishes in the state. Its composite score of 75.4 positions it solidly in the upper half of Louisiana counties.

Tax breaks and affordability stand out

Jackson Parish excels in tax efficiency (93.0) with an effective rate of just 0.33%, and housing affordability (88.2) with median home values of $107,400 and rent averaging $719 monthly. The parish also shows respectable resilience (73.8) and health conditions (62.7).

Income levels lag significantly

The income score of 11.7 reflects a median household income of $43,345, well below state and national norms, limiting economic opportunity for residents. While tax and housing costs are favorable, wage growth potential remains constrained.

Ideal for budget-conscious retirees

Jackson Parish suits retirees and fixed-income households seeking low taxes, affordable housing, and stable living costs. It's less appealing for working-age families or professionals prioritizing higher earning potential, though the low cost of living offers genuine value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax93Cost88.2SafetyComing SoonHealth62.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.7Risk73.8WaterComing Soon
🏛93
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73.8
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 Jackson Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Dallas County
Arkansas
75.4
Median income: $44,694
Perry County
Arkansas
75.4
Median income: $60,078
Nemaha County
Kansas
75.4
Median income: $77,375
Grant County
Minnesota
75.4
Median income: $72,957
Chariton County
Missouri
75.4
Median income: $63,307

Deep Dives

Jackson Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jackson Parish

via TaxByCounty

Jackson Parish taxes far below national average

At 0.330%, Jackson Parish's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.565%, placing the parish in the bottom 15% nationally for property tax burden. Homeowners here pay $354 annually on a median home worth $107,400—less than one-seventh the national median tax of $2,690.

Among Louisiana's most affordable parishes

Jackson Parish ranks among the lowest-taxed parishes in Louisiana, with an effective rate 21% below the state average of 0.421%. This keeps median property taxes at just $354, compared to the state median of $732.

Slightly lower than rural counterparts

Jackson Parish's 0.330% rate edges out Jefferson Davis Parish (0.282%) but undercuts Lincoln Parish (0.499%) and Lafourche Parish (0.498%). Among rural northeast Louisiana parishes, Jackson stands in the middle tier for affordability.

What homeowners actually pay yearly

On Jackson Parish's median home value of $107,400, the annual property tax is approximately $354 without a mortgage and $528 with one (including assessments). This amounts to about $30 per month for most homeowners—among the lowest in the state.

Appeal your assessment if overvalued

Even in low-tax parishes, property assessments can be inflated, particularly on rural or agricultural land. If your home's assessed value seems high compared to recent sales nearby, filing an appeal through the parish assessor's office could lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jackson Parish

via CostByCounty

Jackson Parish lags behind national affordability

With a rent-to-income ratio of 19.9%, Jackson Parish renters spend a slightly higher share of their earnings on housing than the national average—but the real pressure comes from income: the median household earns just $43,345, compared to $74,755 nationally. That 42% income gap means housing costs hit harder here, even at lower absolute dollar amounts.

Just above average for Louisiana housing burden

Jackson Parish ranks slightly above the state average for housing affordability, with its 19.9% rent-to-income ratio barely edging the Louisiana average of 19.5%. The median rent of $719/month is well below the state median of $873, suggesting lower absolute costs offset by lower incomes.

Among Louisiana's most affordable rentals

At $719/month, Jackson Parish rents are the lowest among these eight Louisiana counties—$154 cheaper than the state median. Compared to neighboring Jefferson Parish's $1,162/month, Jackson Parish offers dramatic savings, though the difference in incomes narrows the affordability advantage.

Rent takes 19.9% of income; homeownership even cheaper

The median renter in Jackson Parish dedicates $719 monthly to rent against a $43,345 household income, consuming 19.9% of earnings. Homeowners fare better, with a median monthly cost of just $482 on a median home value of $107,400—the lowest among these eight counties.

Consider Jackson Parish for budget-conscious living

If housing affordability tops your priority list, Jackson Parish delivers low rents and modest home prices that beat most Louisiana neighbors. Just remember: lower housing costs reflect lower incomes overall, so factor in local job market and salary expectations before relocating.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jackson Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Jackson Parish trails national income

Jackson Parish households earn $43,345 annually, 42% below the national median of $74,755. This significant gap reflects broader income challenges across rural Louisiana and ranks the parish in the lower income tier nationally.

Below average within Louisiana

At $43,345, Jackson Parish median household income falls $11,905 short of Louisiana's state average of $55,250. The parish ranks in the lower third of all Louisiana counties for household earnings.

Among the region's lowest earners

Jackson Parish households earn substantially less than nearby Lincoln Parish ($38,035) and far below LaSalle Parish ($67,077). The $23,732 gap between Jackson and LaSalle reflects stark regional income disparities across north-central Louisiana.

Rent remains affordable here

At 19.9% of household income, Jackson Parish rents stay within the 30% affordability threshold, meaning most residents can access housing without financial strain. However, the lower base income limits households' capacity to save or invest in other needs.

Build financial security today

Jackson Parish residents earning $43,345 should prioritize emergency savings and retirement planning through employer 401(k)s or IRAs to build long-term wealth. Even modest monthly investments compound significantly—saving just $50/month grows to over $6,000 in five years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jackson Parish

via HealthByCounty

Jackson Parish outlives the nation

At 73.3 years, Jackson Parish residents live longer than the U.S. average of 71.4 years—a meaningful edge of nearly two years. Yet one in four residents report poor or fair health, suggesting that living longer doesn't guarantee living well.

Above average in a struggling state

Jackson Parish ranks above Louisiana's state average life expectancy of 72.5 years, placing it in the upper third statewide. This advantage is notable given Louisiana's historic health challenges.

Rural health in North Louisiana

Jackson Parish's 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents fall short of neighboring parishes with stronger medical infrastructure. Mental health support is robust at 115 providers per 100K, helping offset the primary care gap.

Uninsured rate beats the state

Just 7.4% of Jackson Parish residents lack health insurance, better than Louisiana's 8.1% state average. This relatively strong coverage rate supports the community's above-average life expectancy.

Keep coverage strong in Jackson

With nearly 93% of residents already insured, Jackson Parish has built solid health coverage—but that remaining 7.4% uninsured still represents hundreds of neighbors without protection. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore affordable options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jackson Parish

via RiskByCounty

Jackson Parish: Well Below the Curve

Jackson Parish scores 26.18 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting far below the national median. This means your county faces significantly less overall natural disaster risk than most of the country, giving you a genuine advantage in hazard exposure.

Safest Parish in Louisiana

Among Louisiana's 64 parishes, Jackson Parish ranks among the very safest with a composite score of 26.18 compared to the state average of 62.37. Your parish's risk profile stands out as a genuine exception in a state historically vulnerable to major disasters.

Island of Stability in North Louisiana

Neighboring Lincoln Parish scores 64.34—more than double Jackson's risk level—and LaSalle Parish, another northern neighbor, scores 12.15. Jackson Parish sits in a relatively low-risk zone compared to parishes south and east toward coastal areas.

Watch for Hurricanes and Tornadoes

Hurricane risk (65.37) and tornado risk (62.63) are Jackson Parish's primary concerns, though both remain below state averages. Flood risk (27.58) stays minimal, reflecting your location away from coastal surge zones and major river systems.

Prioritize Wind and Tornado Coverage

While Jackson Parish enjoys lower overall risk, homeowners should maintain robust wind and hail insurance to handle tornado and hurricane damage. A standard homeowners policy typically covers wind, but verify your coverage limits and consider additional protection if your home is older or mobile.

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.