Jefferson Davis Parish well above national standard
Scoring 71.6 against a national median of 50.0, Jefferson Davis Parish ranks 43% above the typical U.S. county in livability. This solid national percentile standing reflects strong tax and cost advantages.
2 / 5
Slightly above Louisiana average
Jefferson Davis Parish scores 71.6, marginally above Louisiana's state average of 70.4, placing it squarely in the middle-to-upper tier of parishes. Its consistent performance suggests reliable livability across key metrics.
3 / 5
Low taxes and reasonable housing costs
The parish leads with a tax score of 94.3 and an effective rate of just 0.282%, the lowest measured here, paired with a cost score of 84.1 for affordable housing. Median home values of $145,000 and rents of $847 monthly remain accessible.
4 / 5
Risk exposure and income constraints
The risk score of just 25.7 signals elevated environmental or economic vulnerabilities that warrant consideration. Income levels (20.3) with a median of $56,500 are moderate, offering less upward mobility than higher-income parishes.
5 / 5
Good for tax-conscious middle-income families
Jefferson Davis Parish appeals to families seeking low taxes and stable, affordable housing in rural Louisiana. It's best suited for those prioritizing cost savings over job market dynamism or highest income potential.
Jefferson Davis Parish well above national standard
Scoring 71.6 against a national median of 50.0, Jefferson Davis Parish ranks 43% above the typical U.S. county in livability. This solid national percentile standing reflects strong tax and cost advantages.
Slightly above Louisiana average
Jefferson Davis Parish scores 71.6, marginally above Louisiana's state average of 70.4, placing it squarely in the middle-to-upper tier of parishes. Its consistent performance suggests reliable livability across key metrics.
Low taxes and reasonable housing costs
The parish leads with a tax score of 94.3 and an effective rate of just 0.282%, the lowest measured here, paired with a cost score of 84.1 for affordable housing. Median home values of $145,000 and rents of $847 monthly remain accessible.
Risk exposure and income constraints
The risk score of just 25.7 signals elevated environmental or economic vulnerabilities that warrant consideration. Income levels (20.3) with a median of $56,500 are moderate, offering less upward mobility than higher-income parishes.
Good for tax-conscious middle-income families
Jefferson Davis Parish appeals to families seeking low taxes and stable, affordable housing in rural Louisiana. It's best suited for those prioritizing cost savings over job market dynamism or highest income potential.
Score breakdown
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🏛94.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Jefferson Davis among America's lowest-taxed parishes
Jefferson Davis Parish's 0.282% effective tax rate ranks in the nation's bottom 10% for property tax burden, well below the national median of 0.565%. Despite having homes worth $145,000 on average, residents pay just $409 annually—fewer than one-sixth the national median tax.
Louisiana's lowest-taxed parish by rate
At 0.282%, Jefferson Davis Parish has the lowest effective tax rate among all Louisiana parishes, 33% below the state average of 0.421%. The median tax of $409 is 44% less than Louisiana's state median of $732.
Undercuts every surrounding parish
Jefferson Davis Parish's 0.282% rate beats Jackson Parish (0.330%), LaSalle Parish (0.421%), and every other neighboring parish in southwest Louisiana. This makes it the most tax-friendly parish in its region by a significant margin.
What homeowners actually pay yearly
On the median home value of $145,000, the annual property tax is approximately $409 without a mortgage and $842 with one. This comes to roughly $34 per month for mortgage-free homeowners—the lowest effective burden in Louisiana.
Review assessments even in low-tax parishes
Low tax rates don't guarantee accurate assessments, particularly on commercial or agricultural properties. Property owners in Jefferson Davis Parish should periodically request a reassessment or file an appeal if their land's value doesn't reflect recent comparable sales.
Jefferson Davis Parish beats national affordability benchmark
Renters here enjoy a 18.0% rent-to-income ratio, well below the national average and among the best in Louisiana. With a median household income of $56,500—still 24% below the national median—Jefferson Davis Parish achieves solid affordability through balanced housing costs and incomes.
Second-best housing affordability in Louisiana
Jefferson Davis Parish ranks among Louisiana's most affordable parishes, with an 18.0% rent-to-income ratio beating the state average of 19.5%. Its median rent of $847/month falls below the state median of $873, contributing to strong overall affordability.
Middle ground between rural and urban costs
Jefferson Davis Parish rents of $847/month split the difference between affordable rural parishes like Jackson ($719) and pricier urban areas like Jefferson Parish ($1,162). The $56,500 median household income positions the parish competitively within the region.
Renters allocate $847 monthly against a $56,500 income, using just 18.0% of earnings for rent. Homeowners benefit from an even lighter burden: $596/month on a median home value of $145,000, making purchase feasible for moderate-income households.
Jefferson Davis Parish offers balanced affordability
This parish delivers one of Louisiana's best rent-to-income ratios without sacrificing income potential or home values. Families seeking a sweet spot between cost and earning power should seriously explore opportunities here.
Jefferson Davis Parish households earn $56,500 annually, still 24% below the national median of $74,755. The parish sits slightly above Louisiana's state average of $55,250, reflecting moderate economic conditions.
Solid middle ranking statewide
Jefferson Davis Parish earns $1,250 above Louisiana's state average median household income. This positions the parish in the middle tier of all Louisiana counties for household earnings.
Strong position among regional peers
Jefferson Davis Parish at $56,500 outpaces Jackson Parish ($43,345) by $13,155 and matches regional averages well. The parish holds competitive advantage compared to neighboring rural counties.
Housing costs stay manageable
Jefferson Davis Parish residents spend 18.0% of household income on rent, comfortably within the 30% affordability benchmark. The median home value of $145,000 remains accessible to the median household.
Invest in your financial future
Jefferson Davis households with median income of $56,500 can build wealth by automating savings—setting aside 10% ($470/month) positions households for long-term security. Low housing costs free up capital for investment accounts, education, and emergency funds.
At 71.3 years, Jefferson Davis Parish life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 71.4 years by a fraction—and lags Louisiana's own average of 72.5 years by more than a year. Just one in five residents report poor health, a bright spot in this otherwise challenged county.
Among Louisiana's healthiest parishes
Despite lower life expectancy, Jefferson Davis Parish boasts the second-lowest poor/fair health rate in this group at 20.8%, suggesting residents who are insured have access to preventive care. This paradox hints at coverage disparities in the parish.
Primary care access leads the region
Jefferson Davis Parish has 37 primary care providers per 100K residents—more than nearby Jackson Parish's 20 and substantially better than LaSalle Parish's 54. Mental health access is strong too, with 200 providers per 100K.
Insurance coverage slightly below state
The uninsured rate of 8.3% edges above Louisiana's 8.1% average, meaning roughly 1 in 12 residents lack health insurance. Better primary care access suggests those covered do receive preventive services.
Closing Jefferson Davis's coverage gap
With 8.3% uninsured, Jefferson Davis Parish has room to improve—especially given the parish's existing infrastructure of primary care providers ready to serve. Explore options at healthcare.gov or call your parish health department.
Jefferson Davis Parish scores 74.33, placing it in the Relatively Low category but well above the national average for hazard exposure. This score reflects the parish's location in Louisiana's coastal-adjacent zone, where multiple hazard types overlap.
Above-Average Risk for Louisiana
Jefferson Davis Parish ranks in the higher-risk half of Louisiana parishes with a score of 74.33 versus the state average of 62.37. This 12-point gap signals notably elevated exposure compared to most of your state's inland communities.
Riskier Than Your Northern Neighbors
Jackson Parish to the north scores just 26.18, while Jefferson Davis Parish reaches 74.33—a striking 48-point difference. This contrast reflects Jefferson Davis's position closer to coastal storm tracks and flood-prone terrain.
Hurricane Risk Dominates the Parish
Hurricane risk scores 92.28—among the highest in the state—while tornado risk (75.70) and wildfire risk (67.84) also pose significant concerns. Flood risk of 66.70 reflects the parish's vulnerable lowland position and exposure to storm surge.
Bundle Hurricane and Flood Insurance
Jefferson Davis Parish residents must carry both standard homeowners coverage for wind and separate flood insurance, which federal programs recommend for moderate-to-high-risk zones. Review your policy annually and consider upgrading coverage if you live near standing water, drainage ditches, or coastal access routes.