CountyScore

Natchitoches Parish

Louisiana · LA

#32 in Louisiana
70.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana

Natchitoches matches national livability median

At 70.5, Natchitoches Parish nearly mirrors the national composite median of 50.0 when adjusted for its regional context, placing it solidly in the top half of U.S. counties. The parish demonstrates balanced strengths across multiple livability dimensions.

Dead center in Louisiana's parish rankings

Natchitoches Parish scores 70.5 versus Louisiana's state average of 70.4, placing it virtually at parity with the statewide median. This positions it as a representative Louisiana parish with neither significant advantages nor disadvantages.

Health and balanced affordability lead the way

Natchitoches Parish earns a health score of 61.0 and cost score of 84.6, with median home values of $163,000 and monthly rent at $767. The tax score of 89.1 ensures modest obligations relative to similar parishes.

Income and risk factors need strengthening

With an income score of 13.9 and median household income of $46,798, the parish lags in earning potential compared to wealthier parishes. A risk score of 43.6 suggests moderate environmental or economic vulnerability.

Right fit for culture-minded, moderate-income families

Natchitoches Parish suits families seeking historic charm, decent health infrastructure, and reasonable housing costs without deep pockets. Best for those valuing community stability and cultural heritage over rapid income growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.1Cost84.6SafetyComing SoonHealth61SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.9Risk43.6WaterComing Soon
🏛89.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡43.6
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 Natchitoches Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Franklin County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $51,493
Lauderdale County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $59,082
Holmes County
Florida
70.5
Median income: $48,236
Fayette County
Indiana
70.5
Median income: $56,659
Smith County
Kansas
70.5
Median income: $57,024

Deep Dives

Natchitoches Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Natchitoches Parish

via TaxByCounty

Natchitoches taxes remain well below nation

At 0.470%, Natchitoches Parish's effective tax rate falls in the bottom 20% nationally, significantly lower than the typical American county's burden. National median property tax is $2,690; Natchitoches homeowners pay $766—less than 30% of that amount.

Slightly above Louisiana state average

Natchitoches Parish's 0.470% effective tax rate ranks slightly above Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, placing it in the upper-middle tier among the state's parishes. At $766 median tax, homeowners here pay about $34 more annually than the state median of $732.

Higher than rural northeast Louisiana peers

Natchitoches Parish's 0.470% rate exceeds both Madison Parish (0.230%) and Morehouse Parish (0.430%), making it the highest-taxed among its immediate rural neighbors. It remains lower, however, than Ouachita Parish's 0.555% rate.

Median home costs $766 yearly in taxes

With a median home value of $163,000 and an effective rate of 0.470%, a typical Natchitoches Parish homeowner pays approximately $766 annually in property taxes. Mortgage holders should budget around $1,075 when escrow accounts are included.

Assessment appeals can unlock tax relief

Natchitoches Parish homeowners should consider requesting a property reassessment if recent home sales in their area suggest their assessed value is too high. The appeal process is free and many parishes find errors during review.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Natchitoches Parish

via CostByCounty

Natchitoches balances affordability well

Natchitoches Parish renters spend 19.7% of income on housing, essentially matching Louisiana's 19.5% average and outperforming the national norm—while earning $46,798, notably closer to national medians than most rural Louisiana parishes. The $767 median rent sits below both state and national typical levels.

Middle-ground affordability in Louisiana

At 19.7%, Natchitoches Parish's rent-to-income ratio places it slightly above the state average, ranking it in the middle of Louisiana's 64 parishes. The parish offers one of the state's more balanced housing markets relative to local earning power.

Better balance than surrounding parishes

Natchitoches Parish renters spend just $767 monthly—less than nearby Ouachita Parish ($923) and only $26 more than Pointe Coupee—while maintaining a healthier income of $46,798. This equilibrium makes Natchitoches one of the region's more sustainable housing markets.

Housing and income alignment

Renters pay $767 monthly while homeowners pay $664, combining for a balanced 19.7% of the $46,798 median household income. Median home values of $163,000 sit notably higher than poorer parishes, reflecting stronger local economic fundamentals.

Natchitoches offers solid value

Natchitoches Parish delivers one of rural Louisiana's better housing-to-income balances, with rents that don't overwhelm local wages and homeownership opportunities at reasonable prices. Consider this parish if you seek authentic Louisiana living without the affordability squeeze of neighboring areas.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Natchitoches Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Natchitoches Parish falls short nationally

Natchitoches Parish households earn $46,798 per year, approximately 37% less than the U.S. median of $74,755. While the parish performs better than some neighbors, it remains significantly below the national average and among the lower-income regions in America.

Middle-low income among Louisiana parishes

At $46,798, Natchitoches Parish's median household income falls 15% below Louisiana's state median of $55,250. The parish ranks in the lower-to-middle tier statewide, with per capita income of $26,602 tracking near the state average of $29,702.

Outearns adjacent parishes in the region

Natchitoches Parish's median income of $46,798 exceeds Madison Parish ($37,267) and Morehouse Parish ($36,981) by significant margins, positioning it as a relative economic leader in northeastern Louisiana. The parish offers stronger income stability than immediate neighbors.

Balanced housing affordability across the parish

At 19.7%, Natchitoches Parish's rent-to-income ratio signals healthy housing affordability, remaining well below the 30% threshold. Median home values of $163,000 remain accessible for many households, supporting homeownership pathways.

Leverage affordable housing to build equity

Natchitoches residents with stable income should explore first-time homebuyer programs to build equity rather than renting indefinitely. Combined with employer retirement benefits and conservative investment strategies, homeownership becomes a powerful wealth-building tool over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Natchitoches Parish

via HealthByCounty

Natchitoches health mirrors national struggle

At 70.4 years, Natchitoches Parish life expectancy sits 6 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. However, the parish stands out among Louisiana counties with a 25% poor/fair health rate—notably lower than both its neighbors and the national average of 18%.

Stronger health than most Louisiana parishes

Natchitoches Parish's 70.4-year life expectancy ranks near the state average of 72.5 years, placing it among Louisiana's better-performing counties. At 7.5% uninsured, the parish performs better than Louisiana's 8.1% average, suggesting stronger insurance enrollment.

Best primary care access in region

Natchitoches Parish leads neighboring Madison and Morehouse parishes in primary care providers at 54 per 100,000—nearly triple Morehouse's rate. The parish also ranks solidly on mental health resources with 435 providers per 100,000, supporting robust community behavioral health services.

Strong primary care, moderate mental health access

With 54 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Natchitoches has invested in accessible routine medical care—about half what urban parishes offer but well above rural averages. Mental health providers number 435 per 100,000, meaning residents can find counseling and psychiatric support without extreme travel.

Ensure stable coverage for preventive care

Natchitoches' 7.5% uninsured rate is solid, but 1 in 13 residents still lack coverage. Visit Natchitoches Community Health Center or navigate Louisiana's marketplace to lock in affordable insurance that covers preventive screenings, medications, and emergency care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Natchitoches Parish

via RiskByCounty

Natchitoches Parish: Slightly Below National Average

Natchitoches Parish scores 56.39 with a Relatively Low rating, sitting slightly below the national average for composite risk. Residents face a moderate level of natural disaster exposure compared to typical Americans.

Lower-Middle Risk in Louisiana

Natchitoches Parish ranks near the middle of Louisiana counties at 56.39, just below the state average of 62.37. It's among the safer parishes in the state, though several neighbors carry notably higher risk.

Safest Option in Cane River Region

Natchitoches Parish's 56.39 score edges out Rapides Parish (84.29) and significantly outperforms Ouachita Parish (87.50) in the surrounding area. It shares similar risk profiles with other central Louisiana parishes but offers slightly better protection.

Hurricane and Flood Lead Natchitoches Threats

Hurricane risk peaks at 75.01 and flood risk follows at 61.26, reflecting the parish's location in Louisiana's exposed zones. Wildfire risk (51.37), earthquake risk (57.06), and tornado risk (64.22) add secondary but real concerns.

Hurricane and Flood Coverage Paramount

Natchitoches Parish residents should prioritize flood insurance (which standard policies exclude) and verify windstorm coverage for hurricane protection. Given the elevated wildfire risk at 51.37, homeowners should also inspect properties for vegetation and defensible space.

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.