countyscore
42.2
County Score
Property Tax 92.1Cost of Living 79.1Soil Quality 52.5

County Report Card

About Morehouse Parish, Louisiana

Falling Below the National Average

Morehouse Parish receives a composite score of 42.2, which is notably lower than the national median of 50.0. This indicates that the parish trails most U.S. counties in terms of overall livability metrics. Improving this ranking would require significant shifts in safety and economic growth.

Trailing the Louisiana Average

The parish's score of 42.2 sits well below the Louisiana state average of 53.0. This gap suggests that Morehouse Parish faces more hurdles than the typical parish in the state. Local leaders must address multifaceted issues to close this ten-point disparity.

Low Taxes and Affordable Homes

A tax score of 92.1 highlights a low effective tax rate of 0.430%, easing the burden on homeowners. Housing remains very affordable with a cost score of 79.1 and a median home value of $108,700. These economic advantages provide a low barrier to entry for first-time buyers.

Concerns in Safety and Income

Safety is a primary concern with a score of just 4.2, while the income score of 1.6 reflects a median household income of $36,981. Infrastructure also needs attention, as evidenced by a water score of 6.6. These factors combine to create a challenging environment for upward mobility.

Best for Low-Cost Entry

Morehouse Parish is most suitable for individuals seeking some of the lowest property entry costs in the state. While it faces social and infrastructure challenges, the low tax and housing costs are significant draws for the budget-focused. It serves as a viable option for those prioritizing low expenses above all else.

Score breakdown

Tax92.1Cost79.1Safety4.2Health22.7Schools32.3Income1.6Risk44.7Water6.6Weather46.4
🏛92.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼1.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡4.2
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤22.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓32.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡44.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧6.6
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤46.4
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨52.5
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱24
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

West Carroll Parish
Louisiana
68.4
Ashley County
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46.7
Richland Parish
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58.1
Ouachita Parish
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Union Parish
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East Carroll Parish
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Madison Parish
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Bradley County
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Deep Dives

Morehouse Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Morehouse Parish

via TaxByCounty

Morehouse Parish taxes remain very low nationally

At 0.430%, Morehouse Parish's effective tax rate places it in the bottom 15% nationally, well below the typical American county. The national median property tax is $2,690; Morehouse homeowners pay $467, less than one-fifth that amount.

Slightly above state average rate

Morehouse Parish's 0.430% effective tax rate nearly matches Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, ranking it around the middle of the state's parishes. Despite the similar rate, Morehouse homeowners pay $467 median tax versus the state median of $732 due to lower property values.

More moderate than surrounding parishes

Morehouse Parish's 0.430% rate sits between Madison Parish's 0.230% (the state's lowest) and Natchitoches Parish's 0.470%. This positions it as a moderate-tax area within the rural northeast Louisiana region.

Median home costs $467 yearly in taxes

With a median home value of $108,700 and an effective rate of 0.430%, a typical Morehouse Parish homeowner pays about $467 annually in property taxes. Including escrow for mortgage holders, annual payments rise to approximately $675.

Review your assessment for potential savings

Many Morehouse Parish homeowners are likely unaware they can appeal their property assessment free of charge if they believe it's overvalued. Even a modest reduction in assessed value can yield annual tax savings without affecting the rate itself.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Morehouse Parish

via CostByCounty

Morehouse Parish faces serious housing burden

Renters here dedicate 25.8% of their income to housing—well above the national affordability threshold and Louisiana's 19.5% average—while earning just $36,981 annually versus the U.S. median of $74,755. At $795 monthly, Morehouse rent is still below national norms, but income constraints make it painfully unaffordable.

Among Louisiana's least affordable parishes

Morehouse Parish ranks among the state's worst for affordability, with its 25.8% rent-to-income ratio placing it in the bottom tier of Louisiana's 64 parishes. Only a handful of parishes force renters to devote more income to housing than Morehouse does.

Worst case among local peers

Morehouse Parish renters spend $170 more monthly than Madison Parish renters, yet earn nearly identical incomes, creating the parish's acute affordability crisis. The $795 rent translates to a crushing 25.8% of household income—significantly worse than neighboring alternatives.

The affordability crunch

Renters allocate $795 monthly while homeowners pay $506, consuming 25.8% of the $36,981 median household income for renters alone. With a median home value of $108,700, homeownership offers modest relief but requires capital most residents lack.

Morehouse housing: affordability warning

While rents appear modest in absolute dollars, Morehouse Parish's low incomes create one of Louisiana's worst affordability situations for renters. Prospective residents should carefully assess local employment prospects before relocating, as housing costs here demand an outsized income share.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Morehouse Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Morehouse Parish lags far behind national median

Morehouse Parish households earn $36,981 annually, approximately 50% below the U.S. median household income of $74,755. The parish ranks among the lowest-income counties nationwide, reflecting persistent economic headwinds in rural Louisiana.

Struggling below Louisiana's state average

Morehouse Parish's median household income of $36,981 falls 33% short of Louisiana's state median of $55,250. Per capita income of $24,038 also trails the state average by 19%, indicating uneven income distribution across the parish.

Lowest income among neighboring parishes

At $36,981, Morehouse Parish edges out Madison Parish ($37,267) as the region's lowest earner but falls well below Natchitoches Parish at $46,798. The parish faces steeper economic challenges than most surrounding areas.

Housing costs stretch tight household budgets

Morehouse Parish's rent-to-income ratio of 25.8% approaches the 30% affordability threshold, signaling that housing costs consume a substantial share of already-limited incomes. Homeownership remains challenging, with median home values of $108,700 requiring significant savings.

Start small with accessible financial tools

Residents should explore no-cost or low-cost financial counseling through nonprofit organizations to build debt management and savings strategies. Even modest monthly contributions to savings accounts compound over time and create a foundation for future investments and financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Morehouse Parish

via CrimeByCounty

Morehouse Parish Safety vs the Nation

Morehouse Parish reports a total crime rate of 3,742.4 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2,385.5. This data earns the parish a safety score of 94.1 out of 100.

Comparing Morehouse to Louisiana Averages

The parish's safety score of 94.1 sits below the Louisiana state average of 97.1. Data from two reporting agencies indicates that the parish faces more frequent safety challenges than many of its state peers.

Crime Rates Exceed Regional Norms

At 3,742.4 per 100,000, the crime rate in Morehouse is roughly double the state average of 1,853.7. This suggests a higher volume of law enforcement activity compared to many surrounding jurisdictions.

Property Crime Drives Local Figures

Property crime accounts for 2,909.0 incidents per 100,000, while violent crime adds another 833.4. Both figures are notably higher than the national property and violent crime benchmarks.

Practical Steps for Household Security

Given that property crime is higher than national norms, residents should prioritize home security improvements. Motion-activated lighting and updated locks are effective first steps for local homeowners.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Morehouse Parish

via HealthByCounty

Morehouse faces steepest health challenges

At 68.2 years, Morehouse Parish has the lowest life expectancy among these eight Louisiana counties—over 8 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Three in ten residents (30.3%) report poor or fair health, nearly double the national average of 18%.

Among Louisiana's lowest-ranked parishes

Morehouse Parish's 68.2-year life expectancy ranks among the weakest in Louisiana, falling 4.3 years below the state average of 72.5 years. At 7.9% uninsured, the parish is nearly at the state average of 8.1%, meaning one in 12 residents lacks health coverage.

Significantly behind nearby parishes

Morehouse Parish trails Madison Parish by nearly 2 years in life expectancy (70.3 years) and Natchitoches Parish by over 2 years (70.4 years). With just 24 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 401 mental health providers, Morehouse has fewer healthcare workers than all neighboring counties measured.

Severe shortage of doctors, mental health care

At 24 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Morehouse has the fewest doctors among these parishes, making routine care difficult to access. Mental health providers total just 401 per 100,000—less than half the state's best-served areas—limiting treatment for depression and other behavioral health conditions.

Your health insurance matters—explore options

With 7.9% uninsured, Morehouse residents should check if Medicaid expansion covers them or if marketplace insurance is affordable. Call 211 Louisiana or visit Louisiana.gov/dhh to learn about coverage options designed to help families access preventive care and manage chronic conditions.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Morehouse Parish

via SchoolsByCounty

Morehouse Parish's Public School Framework

Morehouse Parish supports a student population of 3,381 across 5 public school facilities. The infrastructure consists of two elementary schools, one high school, and two specialized multi-level campuses.

Significant Challenges in Academic Outcomes

The parish faces a graduation rate of 4.0%, significantly below the Louisiana state average of 85.4%. Despite spending $8,066 per pupil, the composite school score stands at 10.6, well below the national median of 50.0.

Charter Options in a Single District

The Morehouse Parish district manages all local education, including the Beekman Charter School. This charter school is the largest in the parish, enrolling 1,020 students and representing 20% of the total school count.

Larger Campuses in Town and Rural Settings

With an average school size of 676 students, campuses here are larger than many neighboring parishes. Facilities range from the 1,020-student Beekman Charter School to the smaller 294-student Morehouse Magnet School.

Exploring Neighborhoods Near Morehouse Schools

Navigating the educational landscape is a key step for any homebuyer in Morehouse Parish. Researching specific campus performance and charter options can help you find a residence that fits your family's needs.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Morehouse Parish

via RiskByCounty

Morehouse Parish: Below Average Risk Nationally

Morehouse Parish scores 55.28 with a Relatively Low rating, running below the national average for composite risk. This means residents face fewer natural disaster threats than most Americans, though not as protected as some other regions.

Mid-Range Risk Within Louisiana

Morehouse Parish ranks in the middle range of Louisiana counties at 55.28, below the state average of 62.37. It's safer than most parishes but carries more risk than a handful of the state's lowest-risk areas.

Moderate Risk in Northeast Louisiana

Morehouse Parish's 55.28 score positions it between the safest parish (Madison at 32.44) and higher-risk neighbors like Ouachita (87.50). The parish faces notably higher flood, earthquake, and wildfire threats than Madison Parish.

Earthquake Risk Dominates Morehouse

Earthquake risk leads at 74.52, followed by tornado risk at 68.45 and hurricane risk at 68.17—all elevated compared to national baselines. Flood risk is substantial at 59.45, with wildfire risk at 48.25 rounding out the concern list.

Earthquake Coverage Becomes Essential Here

Morehouse Parish's elevated earthquake risk (74.52) makes specialized earthquake insurance worth considering, as standard policies exclude seismic events. Homeowners should also ensure windstorm and flood coverage are included given the combined tornado, hurricane, and flood exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Morehouse Parish

via WeatherByCounty

A warm subtropical climate

At 63.3°F, Morehouse Parish is significantly warmer than the national median. This climate supports a long growing season typical of the American South.

One of Louisiana's cooler parishes

The parish is roughly four degrees cooler than the state average of 67.0°F. It represents the northern tier of Louisiana where temperatures are slightly more moderate.

Cooler than nearby Ouachita

Morehouse averages 63.3°F, making it cooler than neighboring Ouachita Parish at 64.9°F. It also sees 80 days of extreme heat, fewer than many of its southern neighbors.

Defined summers and crisp winters

Summer averages 80.0°F, while winter temperatures drop to a crisp 45.8°F. The parish receives very little frozen precipitation, averaging just 0.1 inches of snow annually.

Prepare for wet conditions

Expect 58.3 inches of annual rain, which is close to the state average of 60.8 inches. Homeowners should prepare for 80 days of 90°F+ weather by maintaining reliable cooling systems.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Morehouse Parish

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Histosols of the Delta

Morehouse Parish is dominated by Histosols, featuring a highly acidic pH of 5.22. This is much lower than the national median of 6.5 and even falls below the Louisiana state average of 5.74.

Mucky Silt with High Retention

With a dominant texture of muck and a high silt content of 54.9%, this soil is exceptionally fine-grained. The 24.4% clay content helps with nutrient retention, though the high silt can make the ground slippery when wet.

Rich in Water and Carbon

Organic matter measures 3.18%, which beats the national average of 2.0% but stays below the state's 6.38% benchmark. Its available water capacity of 0.198 in/in is higher than the state average, offering excellent drought resistance.

Poorly Drained but Highly Permeable

The soil is classified as poorly drained, yet it belongs to hydrologic group A, suggesting high infiltration rates when not saturated. This combination creates unique challenges for building foundations but offers great potential for wetland-adapted crops.

Garden Success in Zone 8b

Blueberries and azaleas thrive in this naturally acidic soil environment. In Zone 8b, gardeners should focus on acid-loving plants or apply lime to raise the pH for traditional vegetable patches.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Morehouse Parish

via LawnByCounty

Tough Turf Conditions in Morehouse

Morehouse Parish presents a significant challenge with a lawn difficulty score of only 24.0. This score is well below both the state average of 33.8 and the national benchmark of 50.0.

Managing Excessive Moisture and Heat

The parish receives 58.3 inches of annual rainfall, exceeding the ideal range for most turf species. Homeowners must also manage 80 extreme heat days per year, which can stress grass that isn't properly acclimated to Zone 8b.

Acidic Muck Requires Attention

The local soil is quite acidic with a pH of 5.22, significantly lower than the ideal 6.0-7.0 window. Classified as poorly drained muck, this soil requires lime amendments and careful drainage management to prevent turf rot.

Resisting Extended Drought Periods

Lawns in this parish have endured 26 weeks of drought over the past year, and the entire area is currently abnormally dry. Maintaining a higher mowing height can help shade the soil and retain moisture during these long dry stretches.

Best Grasses for Morehouse

Centipede or Zoysia are the best bets for handling the acidic soil and local climate. To ensure success, wait until the last spring frost passes around March 15 before you begin your planting or sodding projects.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Morehouse Parish's county score?
Morehouse Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 42.2 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 Morehouse Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
Morehouse Parish ranks #55 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 Morehouse Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in Morehouse Parish is $467, with an effective tax rate of 0.43%. This earns Morehouse Parish a tax score of 92.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Morehouse Parish?
The median household income in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana is $36,981 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Morehouse Parish earns an income score of 1.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Morehouse Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
Morehouse Parish scores 42.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #55 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate Morehouse 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 Morehouse 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.