47.1
County Score
Soil Quality 87Property Tax 86.1Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Lafourche Parish, Louisiana

Slightly Below National Benchmarks

Lafourche Parish earns a composite score of 47.1, placing it just under the national median of 50.0. It performs better than many urban parishes but faces unique coastal challenges.

Competitive Within the State

The parish's 47.1 score is respectable, though it sits below the Louisiana average of 53.0. It represents a middle-ground option for those in the southern part of the state.

Superior Water and Manageable Taxes

An impressive water score of 86.0 and a tax score of 86.1 are the parish's strongest features. These scores indicate high infrastructure quality and a low tax burden for residents.

Significant Natural Risk Exposure

Natural risk scores are quite low at 8.7, reflecting the vulnerability of coastal life. Safety also remains a concern with a score of 15.6.

Suited for Coastal Lovers

This parish is perfect for those who want a blend of high-quality water infrastructure and moderate costs. It appeals to residents who are comfortable managing the environmental risks inherent to the region.

Score breakdown

Tax86.1Cost52.3Safety15.6Health41.4Schools54Income49.3Risk8.7Water86Weather29.6
🏛86.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠52.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼49.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡15.6
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty
41.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓54
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty
8.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty
🌤29.6
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty
🪨87
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty
🌱35.8
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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Deep Dives

Lafourche Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lafourche Parish

via TaxByCounty

Lafourche Parish taxes run above national median

At 0.498%, Lafourche Parish's effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 0.565%, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. Homeowners pay $951 annually on a median home worth $190,800—about 35% of the national median tax of $2,690.

Mid-range taxes for Louisiana parishes

Lafourche Parish's 0.498% effective rate ranks roughly in Louisiana's middle tier, 18% above the state average of 0.421%. The median property tax of $951 is 30% above the state median of $732, reflecting moderate parish spending levels.

Balanced taxes for south Louisiana

Lafourche Parish's 0.498% rate sits between Lafayette Parish (0.568%) to the west and lower-taxed coastal parishes to the south. It's comparable to Lincoln Parish (0.499%) and Livingston Parish (0.493%), making it regionally typical.

What homeowners actually pay yearly

On Lafourche Parish's median home value of $190,800, the annual property tax is approximately $951 without a mortgage and $1,250 with one. This amounts to about $79 per month—moderate for Louisiana but above the national average.

Verify assessments on waterfront properties

Lafourche Parish's waterfront and bayou properties are frequently overassessed relative to market value, especially for fishing camps and secondary residences. Homeowners should request recent comparable sales data from the parish assessor and appeal if their assessment exceeds 90% of appraised market value.

Cost of Living in Lafourche Parish

via CostByCounty

Lafourche Parish: lowest rent burden in Louisiana group

At 17.6%, Lafourche Parish boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among these eight Louisiana counties and well below the national average. The median household income of $63,439 pairs with moderate rents ($933/month) to deliver genuinely affordable housing.

Best housing affordability in Louisiana's eight

Lafourche Parish's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Louisiana's most affordable parishes—beating the state average of 19.5% by 1.9 percentage points. Combined with a median rent of $933/month, right at the state level, this parish delivers exceptional value.

Rural affordability with solid income levels

Lafourche's $933/month rent falls in the middle of the group, but its 17.6% rent ratio is the best here, reflecting relatively strong incomes for a rural-industrial parish. Median home value of $190,800 stays moderate while supporting coastal Louisiana's energy sector jobs.

Renters pay just 17.6%; homeowners get excellent value

The median renter spends $933 monthly—17.6% of a $63,439 household income—the most favorable ratio in this group. Homeowners enjoy even better economics at $706/month, the second-lowest monthly cost among these eight counties.

Lafourche Parish: unbeatable affordability metric

If rent-to-income ratio drives your decision, Lafourche Parish wins among these eight parishes with 17.6%—paired with solid income and homeownership value. The parish's maritime and energy economy provides stable employment supporting this affordability advantage.

Income & Jobs in Lafourche Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Lafourche Parish solid regional performer

Lafourche Parish households earn $63,439 annually, 15% below the national median of $74,755. The parish demonstrates middle-to-upper income status within Louisiana's economic landscape.

Strong rank among parishes

Lafourche Parish median household income of $63,439 exceeds Louisiana's state average of $55,250 by $8,189. The parish ranks in the upper tier of all Louisiana counties for household earnings.

Competitive with surrounding parishes

Lafourche Parish at $63,439 trails Lafayette Parish ($67,660) by $4,221 but outperforms Jackson Parish ($43,345) significantly. The parish reflects strong maritime and energy industry employment throughout south-central Louisiana.

Exceptional housing affordability

Lafourche Parish residents spend just 17.6% of household income on rent—the lowest ratio in this group. The median home value of $190,800 remains highly accessible, freeing household resources for savings and investment.

Maximize savings and investing

Lafourche Parish households earning $63,439 with exceptional rent affordability should redirect housing savings into investment accounts and retirement planning. Saving 15% annually ($9,516) combined with low housing costs creates powerful wealth-building momentum.

Safety in Lafourche Parish

via CrimeByCounty

Public Safety in Lafourche

Lafourche Parish carries a safety score of 96.3, reflecting a moderate safety profile. Its total crime rate of 2344.2 is nearly identical to the national average of 2,385.5.

Trailing State Safety Benchmarks

Lafourche's 96.3 safety score sits slightly below the Louisiana average of 97.1. Its total crime rate of 2344.2 is higher than the state average of 1853.7.

How Lafourche Compares Locally

The parish is safer than neighboring Jefferson (3099.2) but sees more activity than Madison Parish (1495.8). It represents a middle ground for crime rates in South Louisiana.

Property and Violent Totals

Violent crime is 337.4 per 100K, which is lower than the US average of 369.8. Property crime is the main driver of local statistics at 2006.8 per 100K.

Keeping Your Household Secure

Locking all entry points and using smart doorbells can significantly reduce the risk of property crime. Staying connected with neighbors through a community watch also improves local safety.

Health in Lafourche Parish

via HealthByCounty

Lafourche Parish exceeds national norms

At 74.6 years, Lafourche Parish residents live more than three years longer than the U.S. average of 71.4 years and nearly two years longer than Louisiana's 72.5-year average. Yet 23.3% report poor or fair health, suggesting that extra lifespan comes with health challenges.

Middle-of-the-pack in Louisiana

Lafourche Parish's 74.6-year life expectancy ranks above Louisiana's state average, placing it solidly in the upper half of parishes statewide. The 23.3% poor/fair health rate indicates room for preventive care improvements.

Moderate provider access in south

Lafourche Parish has 50 primary care providers per 100K residents and 210 mental health providers per 100K—moderate compared to Lafayette's abundance but exceeding rural parishes. This reflects Lafourche's position as a bayou region anchor.

Insurance nearly matches state average

At 8.2% uninsured, Lafourche Parish is virtually aligned with Louisiana's 8.1% state average, meaning about 1 in 12 residents lack coverage. Good insurance uptake supports the parish's above-average life expectancy.

Keep Lafourche covered

Lafourche's solid health outcomes rest on strong insurance rates—but 8.2% uninsured still represents thousands without protection. Check healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to confirm you're covered or find affordable options.

Schools in Lafourche Parish

via SchoolsByCounty

Balanced Education Along the Bayou

Lafourche Parish serves 14,320 students across 32 public schools, supported by two school districts. The infrastructure is anchored by 20 elementary schools and three large regional high schools.

Exceptional Efficiency and Graduation Success

The parish maintains a stellar 97.0% graduation rate, far exceeding state and national benchmarks. This success is achieved with a very low per-pupil expenditure of $5,870, leading to a strong school score of 54.8.

District and Charter Collaboration

While the Lafourche Parish district manages the vast majority of students, the county also hosts unique options like The MAX Charter School. Charter schools represent approximately 9.4% of the county's educational facilities.

A Diverse Locale Mix

The parish offers an even mix of suburban, city, town, and rural schools, ensuring variety for local families. Thibodaux High School is the largest campus with ,1454 students, while the average school size parish-wide is 448.

Secure Your Future in Lafourche

With one of the highest graduation rates in the state and low local spending, Lafourche offers high-value education. Consider looking at properties in Thibodaux or Central Lafourche to take advantage of these top-tier results.

Disaster Risk in Lafourche Parish

via RiskByCounty

Lafourche Parish: High National Hazard Profile

Lafourche Parish scores 91.35 with a Relatively Moderate risk rating, placing it solidly above the national average for natural disaster exposure. Your parish's coastal bayou position creates overlapping hurricane and flood vulnerabilities found in few other American counties.

Top-Tier Risk Among Louisiana Parishes

Lafourche Parish ranks among Louisiana's highest-risk parishes with a composite score of 91.35, significantly exceeding the state average of 62.37. Only Jefferson and Lafayette parishes outrank Lafourche in overall hazard exposure.

Part of Louisiana's Riskiest Corridor

Neighboring Lafourche Parish connects to the high-risk cluster of Jefferson (98.66) and Lafayette parishes (95.17) in southeast Louisiana. Your parish sits at the bayou's edge, where storm surge and river flooding compounds coastal hurricane risk.

Tornadoes and Hurricanes Dominate

Tornado risk (94.53) and hurricane risk (97.75) are Lafourche Parish's defining hazards, both ranking among the state's highest. Flood risk (81.80) remains elevated due to the parish's low elevation and exposure to both storm surge and Mississippi River backwater.

Prioritize Hurricane and Tornado Safety

Lafourche Parish residents must maintain comprehensive homeowners coverage with full hurricane/wind protection and separate flood insurance for all properties in flood-prone areas. Consider safe-room reinforcement for tornado protection and keep documentation of home improvements for faster insurance claims.

Weather & Climate in Lafourche Parish

via WeatherByCounty

Extreme Subtropical Warmth and Rain

Lafourche Parish averages 69.8°F annually, which is significantly higher than the national median. It is also one of the wettest places in the U.S., receiving 68.9 inches of precipitation per year.

Louisiana's Warmest and Wettest

The parish temperature of 69.8°F sits well above the state average of 67.0°F. Furthermore, its 68.9 inches of rainfall far surpasses the Louisiana state average of 60.8 inches.

Matching the New Orleans Area

Lafourche Parish shares a nearly identical temperature profile with neighboring Jefferson Parish at roughly 69.7°F. However, Lafourche is wetter, receiving about 4.6 inches more rain annually than its neighbor.

Mild Winters and 66 Heat Days

Despite its high average temp, the parish has 66 days over 90°F, which is lower than inland parishes due to Gulf breezes. Winters are exceptionally mild with an average January temperature of 54.0°F and no snow.

Prepare for Heavy Rainfall

With 68.9 inches of rain, residents must prioritize flood mitigation and high-quality waterproof gear. The humidity is constant, so dehumidifiers are often necessary to protect indoor air quality and property.

Soil Quality in Lafourche Parish

via SoilByCounty

Louisiana's most fertile delta soils

Lafourche Parish earns a high Soil Score of 87.0 with an average pH of 6.01. This is the closest to the national median of 6.5 among its neighbors, providing a superior foundation for diverse plant life.

Heavy clay and alluvial silt

The soil is incredibly dense, consisting of 37.9% clay and only 7.1% sand. This composition creates a firm, heavy ground that excels at holding onto vital minerals and nutrients for long-term growth.

Premier organic and water levels

Organic matter reaches 23.49%, nearly four times the state average of 6.38%. This leads to an available water capacity of 0.226 in/in, the highest in the region and far above the state average of 0.182 in/in.

Slow drainage in rich wetlands

The high clay and organic content mean these soils are naturally designed to hold water. While specific hydrologic groups are not listed, the data suggests a landscape that requires careful drainage management for construction or farming.

Bountiful growth in Zone 9b

This parish is a gardener's paradise where zone 9b allows for year-round production of many crops. The soil is so rich that many plants will thrive with minimal extra fertilizer.

Lawn Care in Lafourche Parish

via LawnByCounty

Lafourche Parish Lawn Outlook

Lafourche Parish earns a score of 35.8, making it one of the easier places in Louisiana to maintain a lawn, though still harder than the national average. This coastal 9b zone benefits from slightly fewer extreme heat days than its inland neighbors. However, unique soil and drought challenges still require a specialized approach.

Abundant Rain and High Growth

The parish receives a massive 68.9 inches of annual precipitation, far exceeding the 50-inch ideal threshold. While the 66 extreme heat days are lower than the state average, the high humidity and 7,389 growing degree days keep grass active. This environment is perfect for tropical weeds and fungi, so consistent maintenance is mandatory.

Ideal pH but Heavy Clay

Lafourche boasts a near-perfect soil pH of 6.01, which is ideal for nutrient availability in lawns. The main hurdle is the 37.9% clay content, the highest in the region, which significantly slows drainage. You must avoid overwatering and use aeration to keep the soil from becoming a muddy mess during rainy weeks.

Critical Drought Conditions

Lafourche faces extreme drought stress right now, with 98.5% of the parish categorized as D2 or higher. Despite having 68.9 inches of annual rain on average, the past year included 14 weeks of drought that have taken a toll. Strict water conservation and deep-soaking irrigation are required to keep lawns alive during these intense dry spells.

Planting for the 9b Zone

St. Augustine and Seashore Paspalum are excellent choices for the heavy clay and coastal humidity of Lafourche. Your growing window starts early, following the last frost on February 8th. With the first frost delayed until December 19th, you have an exceptionally long time to establish and enjoy a healthy lawn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lafourche Parish's county score?
Lafourche Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 47.1 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 Lafourche Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
Lafourche Parish ranks #43 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 Lafourche Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in Lafourche Parish is $951, with an effective tax rate of 0.50%. This earns Lafourche Parish a tax score of 86.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lafourche Parish?
The median household income in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana is $63,439 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lafourche Parish earns an income score of 49.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lafourche Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
Lafourche Parish scores 47.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #43 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate Lafourche 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 Lafourche Parish with other counties side by side.