Ouachita Parish beats national livability baseline
Ouachita Parish's composite score of 66.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in approximately the 40th percentile nationally. The parish provides solid livability conditions anchored by reasonable taxes and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Slightly below Louisiana's average parish
At 66.4, Ouachita Parish ranks just below Louisiana's state average of 70.4, placing it in the lower-middle range among the state's 64 parishes. It remains a viable option within Louisiana's livability spectrum.
3 / 5
Tax efficiency and health outcomes lead
Ouachita Parish scores 86.7 on taxes (0.555% effective rate) and 64.6 on health, indicating solid healthcare access and low tax burden. Housing affordability is also respectable, with median home values of $183,000 and monthly rent at $923.
4 / 5
Income growth potential remains constrained
The income score of 16.8 with median household income of $51,241 reflects limited wage and career advancement opportunity. A risk score of 12.5 suggests some economic vulnerability that may warrant monitoring.
5 / 5
Suitable for middle-income families and retirees
Ouachita Parish appeals to working families and retirees seeking moderate housing costs, decent health services, and low taxes without requiring high incomes. Good for those valuing stability and healthcare access over rapid economic growth.
Ouachita Parish beats national livability baseline
Ouachita Parish's composite score of 66.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in approximately the 40th percentile nationally. The parish provides solid livability conditions anchored by reasonable taxes and housing affordability.
Slightly below Louisiana's average parish
At 66.4, Ouachita Parish ranks just below Louisiana's state average of 70.4, placing it in the lower-middle range among the state's 64 parishes. It remains a viable option within Louisiana's livability spectrum.
Tax efficiency and health outcomes lead
Ouachita Parish scores 86.7 on taxes (0.555% effective rate) and 64.6 on health, indicating solid healthcare access and low tax burden. Housing affordability is also respectable, with median home values of $183,000 and monthly rent at $923.
Income growth potential remains constrained
The income score of 16.8 with median household income of $51,241 reflects limited wage and career advancement opportunity. A risk score of 12.5 suggests some economic vulnerability that may warrant monitoring.
Suitable for middle-income families and retirees
Ouachita Parish appeals to working families and retirees seeking moderate housing costs, decent health services, and low taxes without requiring high incomes. Good for those valuing stability and healthcare access over rapid economic growth.
Score breakdown
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🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.555%, Ouachita Parish's effective tax rate falls in the bottom 35% nationally, meaningfully lower than the typical American county. The national median property tax is $2,690; Ouachita homeowners pay $1,016—less than 40% of that national benchmark.
Above state average, mid-range for Louisiana
Ouachita Parish's 0.555% effective tax rate exceeds Louisiana's state average of 0.421% by about one-third, ranking it in the upper half of the state's parishes. Homeowners pay $1,016 median tax versus the state median of $732, roughly $284 more annually.
Higher than most surrounding areas
Ouachita Parish's 0.555% rate exceeds both nearby Madison Parish (0.230%) and Morehouse Parish (0.430%), making it one of the more heavily taxed rural parishes in northeast Louisiana. It ranks below Orleans Parish's 0.819% but above most other regional neighbors.
Median home costs $1,016 yearly in taxes
With a median home value of $183,000 and an effective rate of 0.555%, a typical Ouachita Parish homeowner pays approximately $1,016 annually in property taxes. Including escrow for mortgages, the annual payment climbs to about $1,177.
Appeal your assessment if it seems high
Ouachita Parish homeowners should compare their assessed value to comparable recent sales in their neighborhood; overassessed properties can be appealed at no cost. Lower assessments reduce annual tax bills without changing the tax rate itself.
Ouachita Parish renters spend 21.6% of their $51,241 income on housing—above Louisiana's 19.5% average but reasonable compared to national stress—paying $923 monthly in rent. The parish's median income sits closer to national levels than most rural Louisiana counties, easing the affordability pressure.
Slightly above-average affordability stress
Ouachita Parish's 21.6% rent-to-income ratio places it in the upper-middle tier of Louisiana's 64 parishes, suggesting moderate affordability pressure relative to the state. The $923 median rent exceeds the state average of $873 by $50, reflecting Ouachita's position as a mid-sized parish with regional economic draw.
Pricier than rural, cheaper than New Orleans
Ouachita Parish renters pay $923 monthly—$129 more than Natchitoches but $288 less than New Orleans—while earning a competitive $51,241. The parish sits geographically and economically between Louisiana's rural parishes and its urban centers.
Rental and ownership costs
Renters allocate $923 monthly while homeowners pay $868, totaling 21.6% of the $51,241 median household income. Median home values of $183,000 offer moderate entry points for buyers seeking to escape the renter's burden.
Ouachita offers middle-ground balance
Ouachita Parish delivers reasonable affordability with income levels that exceed most rural Louisiana—making it a practical choice for those balancing cost and earning power. Consider Ouachita if you seek moderate-sized parish amenities without New Orleans's premium pricing or isolated rural constraints.
Ouachita Parish households earn $51,241 annually, roughly 31% less than the U.S. median of $74,755. The parish lags the nation significantly but performs better than many rural Louisiana counterparts.
Near Louisiana's median, slightly below state average
At $51,241, Ouachita Parish's median household income falls 7% below Louisiana's state median of $55,250, placing it slightly below the state average. Per capita income of $30,656 closely mirrors the state average of $29,702, indicating more equitable income distribution.
Mid-tier income across central Louisiana
Ouachita Parish's median income of $51,241 trails Pointe Coupee Parish ($59,351) and Rapides Parish ($55,946) but exceeds Orleans Parish ($55,339). The parish occupies a competitive middle position among its peers in central Louisiana.
Sustainable housing affordability for households
Ouachita Parish's rent-to-income ratio of 21.6% falls comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating housing costs remain manageable. Median home values of $183,000 allow many households to pursue homeownership without excessive financial strain.
Build steady wealth through disciplined saving
Ouachita Parish residents should establish automatic monthly transfers to savings accounts to capture even small surpluses in household budgets. Employer 401(k) matching programs and tax-advantaged health savings accounts offer powerful long-term wealth accumulation opportunities.
At 72 years, Ouachita Parish life expectancy sits 4.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years but remains competitive among Louisiana parishes. With 22.2% reporting poor or fair health—above the national 18% baseline—the parish represents mid-range health outcomes for the state.
Slightly below Louisiana state average
Ouachita Parish's 72-year life expectancy falls just 0.5 years below Louisiana's 72.5-year state average, placing it firmly in the middle tier of Louisiana parishes. Its 7.6% uninsured rate beats the state average of 8.1%, suggesting effective insurance enrollment efforts.
Competitive healthcare access regionally
Ouachita Parish's 94 primary care providers per 100,000 residents significantly exceed nearby Rapides Parish (84 per 100K) and rural parishes like Pointe Coupee (30 per 100K). With 551 mental health providers per 100,000, Ouachita offers moderate-to-strong behavioral health infrastructure for a parish its size.
Solid physician access, moderate mental health care
Ouachita Parish residents benefit from 94 primary care providers per 100,000, supporting timely access to checkups, preventive care, and chronic disease management. Mental health services at 551 providers per 100,000 provide reasonable access to counseling and psychiatric care across the parish.
Lock in coverage before illness strikes
Ouachita Parish's low uninsured rate (7.6%) shows most residents have coverage, but 1 in 13 still lack plans. During enrollment season, visit your employer, Medicaid office, or healthcare.gov to ensure you have continuous coverage that includes preventive screenings and medication benefits.
Ouachita Parish scores 87.50 with a Relatively Moderate rating, significantly exceeding the national average for natural disaster risk. Residents face substantially higher exposure to multiple hazard types than most Americans.
Second Highest Risk in Louisiana
Ouachita Parish's 87.50 score ranks it second in Louisiana, exceeded only by Orleans Parish's 98.25, while being 25 points above the state average of 62.37. This places the parish among the state's most hazard-exposed communities.
Dramatically Riskier Than Surrounding Areas
Ouachita Parish's 87.50 score far exceeds nearby Madison Parish (32.44) and Morehouse Parish (55.28), making it a hotspot of elevated risk in northeast Louisiana. Only Rapides Parish (84.29) approaches its risk level in the immediate region.
Tornado Risk Dominates, Hurricane Close Second
Tornado risk peaks at 96.02—among the highest in the nation—while hurricane risk reaches 79.52, reflecting the parish's position in tornado alley. Flood risk (87.05), earthquake risk (89.28), and wildfire risk (56.20) add serious secondary threats.
Tornado Shelters and Comprehensive Insurance Essential
Ouachita Parish residents should prioritize a certified tornado shelter or safe room and ensure windstorm coverage for both tornado and hurricane damage. Flood insurance, earthquake coverage, and wildfire home hardening should all be evaluated given the parish's extreme multi-hazard exposure.