CountyScore

Jefferson Parish

Louisiana · LA

#61 in Louisiana
64.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

Jefferson Parish exceeds national baseline

Jefferson Parish scores 64.2, nearly 29% above the national median of 50.0, reflecting a livable environment despite some state-level challenges. It remains a solid performer by national standards, especially for its urban context.

Below Louisiana state average

With a score of 64.2, Jefferson Parish trails Louisiana's average of 70.4, ranking in the lower-middle tier of state parishes. This reflects the cost pressures of its more developed, urban character.

Strong health and highest income levels

Jefferson Parish boasts the highest median household income at $65,246 (26.0 income score) and strong health outcomes (65.6). The parish also demonstrates exceptional risk resilience (1.3), the best among these eight parishes, indicating low environmental or economic vulnerability.

Higher costs suppress overall score

Median rent of $1,162 and median home values of $243,500 reflect higher cost-of-living pressures (70.9 score), limiting affordability. The effective tax rate of 0.519% is also among the highest in this group.

Best for professionals seeking stability

Jefferson Parish suits working professionals and established families who value higher incomes, excellent resilience, and urban amenities despite elevated housing costs. It's less ideal for budget-conscious or first-time homebuyers seeking maximum affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.7Cost70.9SafetyComing SoonHealth65.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome26Risk1.3WaterComing Soon
🏛87.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡1.3
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 Jefferson Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Coconino County
Arizona
64.2
Median income: $69,748
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
64.2
Median income: $87,564
Saline County
Illinois
64.2
Median income: $54,945
Leavenworth County
Kansas
64.2
Median income: $86,906
Franklin County
Massachusetts
64.2
Median income: $72,584

Deep Dives

Jefferson Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jefferson Parish

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson Parish taxes significantly above national average

At 0.519%, Jefferson Parish's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.565% by a notable margin, placing it in the upper third nationally. Homeowners pay $1,265 annually on a median home valued at $243,500—about 47% of the national median tax.

Second-highest taxed parish in Louisiana

Jefferson Parish's 0.519% effective rate ranks second among Louisiana's 64 parishes, 23% above the state average of 0.421%. The median property tax of $1,265 is 73% above the state median of $732, reflecting robust parish funding.

Highest taxes among Crescent City area parishes

Jefferson Parish's 0.519% rate significantly exceeds Orleans Parish and St. Tammany Parish, making it the priciest parish in metro New Orleans for property taxes. Only Lafayette Parish (0.568%) taxes residents more heavily in the state.

What homeowners actually pay yearly

On Jefferson Parish's median home value of $243,500, the annual property tax is approximately $1,265 without a mortgage and $1,496 with one. This amounts to about $105 per month—among the highest rates in Louisiana and the South.

Appeal inflated assessments to reduce burden

With high tax rates, overly generous assessments can add hundreds to annual bills, especially on commercial or multi-family properties. Jefferson Parish homeowners and business owners should file reassessment appeals if their assessed values exceed comparable recent sales by more than 10%.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jefferson Parish

via CostByCounty

Jefferson Parish: higher costs, near-national incomes

At 21.4%, Jefferson Parish's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average and Louisiana's state average, signaling tighter affordability. However, with a median household income of $65,246, the parish comes closest to the national median ($74,755) among these eight Louisiana counties, providing some income cushion for higher housing costs.

Most expensive Louisiana parish in this group

Jefferson Parish ranks among Louisiana's least affordable parishes for renters, with a 21.4% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average of 19.5%. Its median rent of $1,162/month—33% above the state average—reflects the urban pressure of proximity to New Orleans.

Urban pricing with suburban distance

At $1,162/month, Jefferson Parish rents top this group and nearly match Lafayette Parish ($1,022), reflecting urban and suburban demand near New Orleans. Home values ($243,500) exceed most rural parishes but remain moderate compared to major metro areas.

Renters pay 21.4%; homeowners pay steep monthly costs

The median renter allocates $1,162 monthly to housing—21.4% of a $65,246 household income—the highest burden in this group. Homeowners face similar pressure at $1,070/month, reflecting the parish's position as the costliest market among these eight counties.

Jefferson Parish for those prioritizing metro access

Expect to pay premium housing costs for proximity to New Orleans jobs, culture, and services—your highest income potential in the group partly offsets the 21.4% rent burden. Consider this parish only if metro access justifies the elevated housing expenses.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Jefferson Parish approaches national income

Jefferson Parish households earn $65,246 annually, 13% below the national median of $74,755. The parish ranks among Louisiana's higher-earning counties and performs better than most southern metro areas.

Top tier statewide earnings

Jefferson Parish median household income of $65,246 exceeds Louisiana's state average by $9,996. The parish ranks in the top tier of all Louisiana counties for household earnings.

Competitive with Lafayette Parish

Jefferson Parish at $65,246 trails Lafayette Parish ($67,660) by $2,414 but substantially outpaces Jackson Parish ($43,345). The parish represents strong economic performance in the greater New Orleans region.

Housing demands higher income share

Jefferson Parish residents spend 21.4% of household income on rent—above the 30% threshold but reflecting higher home values of $243,500. Median households can afford housing, though less than optimal affordability ratios.

Leverage higher earnings for wealth

Jefferson Parish households earning $65,246 should maximize retirement contributions and diversify investments beyond primary residences. Saving 15% annually ($9,787) creates substantial wealth accumulation over 20 years and positions families for intergenerational security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jefferson Parish

via HealthByCounty

New Orleans area leads the state

At 75.2 years, Jefferson Parish residents live nearly four years longer than the U.S. average of 71.4 years—the highest life expectancy in this Louisiana cohort. Yet 10.9% lack health insurance, the highest uninsured rate here, creating a coverage paradox.

Jefferson Parish beats Louisiana's average

Jefferson Parish's 75.2-year life expectancy runs 2.7 years ahead of Louisiana's 72.5-year average, reflecting its status as the economic and medical hub of Southeast Louisiana. This advantage comes with urban healthcare infrastructure that neighboring rural parishes cannot match.

Urban healthcare advantage evident

With 92 primary care providers per 100K and 326 mental health providers per 100K, Jefferson Parish dwarfs rural neighbors like Jackson Parish (20 and 115 per 100K respectively). This concentration of providers explains both the longevity and the uninsured rate—high-capacity systems attract more insured patients while leaving uninsured residents behind.

High uninsured despite urban access

Jefferson Parish's 10.9% uninsured rate is the highest in this group—roughly 79,000 residents without coverage—despite robust provider availability. Urban poverty and transient populations likely drive this gap despite infrastructure advantages.

Jefferson Parish: cover the gap

Jefferson Parish's excellent healthcare infrastructure is out of reach for 1 in 9 residents without insurance. Visit healthcare.gov, call 1-800-318-2596, or stop by a local community health center to explore Medicaid and marketplace options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jefferson Parish

via RiskByCounty

Jefferson Parish: High National Hazard Exposure

Jefferson Parish scores 98.66—one of the highest in the nation—and earns a Relatively High risk rating. This places your parish in the top tier of disaster-exposed counties nationwide, driven primarily by its coastal location and major metropolitan infrastructure.

Highest-Risk Parish in Louisiana

Jefferson Parish's composite score of 98.66 far exceeds Louisiana's state average of 62.37 and ranks as the riskiest parish in the state. Your parish faces a uniquely concentrated hazard profile due to its position along the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River.

Gateway to Louisiana's Riskiest Zone

Neighboring Lafayette Parish scores 95.17 and Livingston Parish scores 94.47—both also extremely high—forming a cluster of maximum-risk parishes in southeast Louisiana. Jefferson Parish sits at the heart of Louisiana's most disaster-prone region.

Hurricane and Flood Risk Are Extreme

Hurricane risk scores 99.79 (nearly the national maximum) and flood risk reaches 95.99, making these the parish's defining hazards. Earthquake risk (78.02) and tornado risk (72.20) add secondary but still significant concerns for residents and property owners.

Comprehensive Coverage Is Non-Negotiable

Jefferson Parish residents must maintain full homeowners coverage with high wind/hurricane deductibles, separate flood insurance (mandatory in FEMA high-risk zones), and consider additional earthquake or named-storm coverage. Review and update your policies annually with an agent familiar with Gulf Coast risks, and document your home's condition for faster claims processing.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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