countyscore
54.9
County Score
Soil Quality 96.9Property Tax 89.5Income & Jobs 86.7

County Report Card

About Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

Competitive National Performance

Plaquemines Parish achieves a composite score of 54.9, placing it slightly above the national median of 50.0. This suggests the parish offers a quality of life that is better than roughly half of all U.S. counties. It remains a competitive choice on a national scale.

Above the Louisiana Baseline

With a score of 54.9, the parish outperforms the Louisiana state average of 53.0. It ranks as a stable and relatively prosperous area within the state. This position is largely bolstered by strong economic and educational metrics.

Strong Incomes and Education

The parish excels with a high income score of 86.7, reflecting a robust median household income of $82,874. It also boasts a strong school score of 65.0 and a tax score of 89.5. These numbers highlight a high-earning population with access to quality public services.

Rising Costs and Risk

Housing affordability is a challenge, as seen in the cost score of 22.8 and a median gross rent of $1,611. Environmental risk is also a concern with a score of 27.1, while water quality remains low at 10.5. Residents pay a premium for the economic opportunities found here.

Ideal for High-Earning Families

This parish is an excellent fit for career-oriented families who value strong schools and high wages. While the cost of living and environmental risks are higher, the economic rewards and educational quality are significant. It is a premier choice for those who can afford the higher price of entry.

Score breakdown

Tax89.5Cost22.8Safety65.6Health48.5Schools65Income86.7Risk27.1Water10.5Weather35.7
🏛89.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠22.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼86.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡65.6
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤48.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓65
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
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⚡27.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧10.5
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤35.7
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨96.9
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱44.4
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

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42.5
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Hancock County
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Deep Dives

Plaquemines Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Plaquemines Parish

via TaxByCounty

Plaquemines Parish taxes well below nation

At 0.462%, Plaquemines Parish's effective tax rate falls in the bottom 25% nationally, significantly lower than typical American counties. The national median property tax is $2,690; Plaquemines homeowners pay $1,275—less than half that amount.

Slightly above state average rate

Plaquemines Parish's 0.462% effective tax rate exceeds Louisiana's state average of 0.421% by roughly 10%, ranking it slightly above the middle of the state's parishes. Despite the higher rate, homeowners here pay $1,275 median tax versus the state median of $732, reflecting moderately higher property values.

Moderate tax burden for south Louisiana

Plaquemines Parish's 0.462% rate sits below Orleans Parish's 0.819% (its New Orleans-area neighbor) and below Ouachita Parish's 0.555%. This positions it as a moderate-tax area within the state.

Median home costs $1,275 yearly in taxes

With a median home value of $275,800 and an effective rate of 0.462%, a typical Plaquemines Parish homeowner pays approximately $1,275 annually in property taxes. For mortgage holders, escrow accounts typically collect $1,438 to cover taxes and related costs.

Review your assessment annually

Plaquemines Parish homeowners should verify their assessed values match recent market sales in their area, since assessments can lag behind actual property trends. Free appeals are available if you believe your home is overvalued relative to comparable properties.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Plaquemines Parish

via CostByCounty

Plaquemines Parish earns top regional income

Plaquemines Parish boasts Louisiana's highest median household income at $82,874—above the national average of $74,755—yet renters still spend 23.3% on a steep $1,611 monthly rent. The parish's energy-sector economy delivers relative affluence, but housing costs keep pace with earnings.

Highest income, moderate affordability rank

Despite leading the state in household income, Plaquemines Parish ranks in the upper-middle tier for affordability burden at 23.3%, reflecting its proximity to New Orleans and coastal energy infrastructure. The parish's $1,611 median rent trails only New Orleans among Louisiana counties.

Premium pricing for coastal access

Plaquemines Parish renters pay $1,611 monthly—$400 more than Ouachita and $846 more than rural Madison—benefiting from the highest incomes in rural Louisiana. However, homeownership remains affordable at $902 monthly, offering relief unavailable in New Orleans's $1,404 owner costs.

Rental premium, ownership value

Renters pay $1,611 monthly while homeowners pay just $902—an unusual dynamic reflecting Plaquemines's coastal desirability and energy economy. Median home values of $275,800 rank second statewide, yet the $902 homeowner payment consumes only 13% of the $82,874 household income.

Plaquemines: renter alert, buyer opportunity

Plaquemines Parish commands Louisiana's highest incomes and offers exceptional homeownership value, but rents rival New Orleans—making it ideal for buyers but challenging for renters. If relocating, prioritize homeownership here to capitalize on the parish's strong income base and attractive property values.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Plaquemines Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Plaquemines Parish outearns national average

Plaquemines Parish households earn $82,874 annually, exceeding the U.S. median of $74,755 by 11%. The parish ranks among Louisiana's highest-income regions, driven largely by petrochemical and energy sector employment.

Louisiana's top-earning parish by far

Plaquemines Parish's median household income of $82,874 outpaces the Louisiana state median of $55,250 by 50%, making it the state's clear income leader. Per capita income of $36,570 also exceeds the state average of $29,702 by 23%.

Far outearns all neighboring parishes

Plaquemines Parish's median household income of $82,874 dramatically exceeds all regional neighbors: Orleans Parish ($55,339), Ouachita Parish ($51,241), and Rapides Parish ($55,946). The parish stands alone as the region's economic powerhouse.

High incomes support premium housing costs

Plaquemines Parish's rent-to-income ratio of 23.3% remains healthy despite median home values of $275,800, among Louisiana's highest. The parish's elevated incomes provide households greater flexibility to afford quality housing.

Maximize wealth with aggressive investment strategy

Plaquemines Parish residents with strong incomes should maximize contributions to retirement accounts, diversify into stock and bond investments, and explore real estate opportunities. Work with financial advisors to develop tax-efficient strategies that protect accumulated wealth against sector-specific economic downturns.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Plaquemines Parish

via CrimeByCounty

High Safety Scores in Plaquemines

Plaquemines Parish enjoys a total crime rate of 806.7 per 100,000, which is far lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This low frequency of crime results in a high safety score of 98.7.

Outperforming the State Average

Plaquemines' safety score of 98.7 beats the Louisiana state average of 97.1. However, since only one agency reported data, residents should interpret these positive numbers as a partial snapshot.

Lower Crime Rates Than Peers

The parish's total crime rate of 806.7 is less than half the Louisiana average of 1,853.7. This indicates a significantly quieter public safety environment compared to many other parishes.

Violent vs Property Crime Split

Violent crime is low at 330.4 per 100,000, while property crime stands at 476.3. Both metrics are well below national averages, suggesting a relatively secure local environment.

Practical Home Security Advice

Even with low reported crime, basic security habits like locking doors and windows are essential. Single-agency data suggests residents should remain proactive about their own property protection.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Plaquemines Parish

via HealthByCounty

Plaquemines Parish exceeds national life expectancy

At 75.8 years, Plaquemines Parish has the highest life expectancy among these eight Louisiana parishes—exceeding the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly a year. At 21.6% reporting poor or fair health, the parish ranks among the healthiest on this measure, just above the national 18% baseline.

Louisiana's healthiest parish by lifespan

Plaquemines Parish's 75.8-year life expectancy towers 3.3 years above Louisiana's 72.5-year state average, making it the clear health leader in this dataset. At 8.5% uninsured, the parish is slightly above state average, yet manages superior health outcomes, suggesting strong healthcare utilization despite modest insurance gaps.

Highest life expectancy, lowest provider density

Plaquemines Parish paradoxically boasts the longest life expectancy (75.8 years) while having minimal primary care providers (22 per 100K)—the second-lowest among these parishes. Its 192 mental health providers per 100,000 also rank lowest, yet residents still achieve the best longevity, pointing to factors beyond raw provider counts.

Few doctors, exceptional health outcomes

With just 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Plaquemines Parish faces provider scarcity similar to rural neighbors Madison and Morehouse. Despite limited mental health providers at 192 per 100,000, Plaquemines residents achieve Louisiana's longest lifespans—possibly reflecting lower poverty, better lifestyle factors, or strong community health programs.

Maintain coverage despite healthcare distances

Plaquemines Parish's 8.5% uninsured rate suggests room for improvement; ensure you have active insurance despite rural provider challenges. Visit your local clinic or Louisiana's marketplace to secure coverage that includes telehealth options, helping bridge the distance to specialists and routine care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Plaquemines Parish

via SchoolsByCounty

Strategic Education Along the Coast

Plaquemines Parish operates 9 public schools catering to 4,751 students in the region. The system is comprised of five elementary schools, two high schools, and a mix of middle and multi-level facilities.

Leading the State in Student Success

With a 91.0% graduation rate, Plaquemines Parish significantly exceeds state and national averages. The parish's school score of 57.4 reflects this success, supported by a per-pupil investment of $8,535.

A Blend of Parish and Academy Leadership

The Plaquemines Parish district manages eight schools for 3,858 students. Additionally, the Belle Chasse Academy serves as a major charter option, enrolling 893 students as a standalone district.

Suburban and Rural School Diversity

The parish offers a balanced mix of suburban, rural, and town school settings with an average enrollment of 528. Belle Chasse High School is the largest campus, providing a comprehensive high school experience for 959 students.

High-Value Education for New Residents

Plaquemines Parish is a standout for families due to its exceptionally high graduation rates. Homes in the Belle Chasse area provide proximity to the parish's largest and most diverse educational centers.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Plaquemines Parish

via RiskByCounty

Plaquemines Parish: Above National Average Risk

Plaquemines Parish scores 72.93 with a Relatively Low rating, exceeding the national average for composite risk. While labeled low relative to Louisiana, residents face above-average natural disaster exposure by national standards.

Mid-Range Risk Within Louisiana

Plaquemines Parish scores 72.93, sitting above the state average of 62.37 and ranking in the upper-middle range of Louisiana parishes. It faces higher hazard exposure than most of the state but less than the highest-risk areas.

Safer Than Orleans, Riskier Than Most Others

Plaquemines Parish's 72.93 score is substantially lower than Orleans Parish (98.25) but higher than Pointe Coupee Parish (63.07) and other nearby counties. It occupies a distinct risk zone along coastal Louisiana.

Hurricane and Flood Dominate Coastal Exposure

Hurricane risk reaches 94.87 and flood risk sits at 83.00, reflecting Plaquemines Parish's extreme coastal vulnerability. Tornado risk (40.17) remains moderate, while wildfire (20.55) and earthquake (29.55) risks are minimal.

Hurricane and Flood Insurance Critical

Plaquemines Parish residents must carry flood insurance and comprehensive windstorm/hurricane coverage, as standard homeowners policies exclude both perils. Given the 94.87 hurricane risk score, periodic reinforcement of home structure and roof systems is strongly advised.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Plaquemines Parish

via WeatherByCounty

Balmy coastal conditions

Plaquemines Parish averages 69.7°F, which is exceptionally warm compared to the national median. The Gulf of Mexico heavily influences this maritime climate.

Warmer than the state median

This parish stays warmer than the 67.0°F state average due to its southern latitude. The water-adjacent location prevents the deep freezes seen further north.

Fewer extreme heat days

Thanks to coastal breezes, the parish sees only 47 extreme heat days, half as many as inland Orleans Parish. It receives 61.1 inches of rain, slightly above the state average.

Moderate summers and balmy winters

July averages 82.5°F, while winter is the warmest in the region at 56.1°F. Snowfall is unheard of here, with a recorded annual average of 0.0 inches.

Focus on humidity and rain

While extreme heat is less frequent here than inland, 61.1 inches of rain makes moisture control a priority. Light clothing and hurricane preparedness are the keys to living in this coastal environment.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Plaquemines Parish

via SoilByCounty

Neutral Coastal Richness

Plaquemines Parish boasts an average pH of 6.46, which is nearly identical to the national median of 6.5. This makes it some of the most chemically balanced soil in Louisiana, far exceeding the state's 5.74 average pH.

Clay-Heavy Alluvial Deposits

The soil is 37.3% clay and 28.4% silt, with only 10.5% sand. These fine sediments were deposited by the Mississippi River, creating a dense, nutrient-locking matrix that is characteristic of the deep delta.

Unrivaled Organic Matter

The organic matter content is an incredible 26.21%, the highest in this group and vastly exceeding the national 2.0% average. Its available water capacity of 0.235 in/in ensures the soil can hold immense moisture for plant use.

Hydric and Heavy

The data lacks a specific drainage class, but the high clay and organic levels suggest very slow drainage. In this coastal environment, soil is often saturated, requiring specialized agricultural practices.

Citrus Capital of Zone 9b

This parish is famous for its citrus, which thrives in the rich, neutral soil and warm 9b climate. Start a home orchard or garden to take advantage of this world-class natural fertility.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Plaquemines Parish

via LawnByCounty

A Coastal Edge in Plaquemines

Plaquemines Parish enjoys a lawn difficulty score of 44.4, making it one of the easiest parishes in Louisiana for turf care. While better than the state average, it still sits slightly below the national score of 50.0.

Moderate Heat but High Humidity

While it receives 61.1 inches of rain, the parish only deals with 47 extreme heat days, far fewer than the state average of 84. This coastal influence helps protect grass from the thermal stress seen further inland.

Ideal pH with Heavy Clay

The soil pH of 6.46 is excellent and sits perfectly within the ideal range for lawn health. However, the 37.3% clay content means the soil is heavy and slow-draining, which can be an issue given the high annual rainfall.

Severe Drought Warning

Despite the coastal location, 99.3% of the parish is currently in severe drought. After 17 weeks of drought in the past year, consistent irrigation is the only way to keep lawns from going dormant.

Early Starts in Zone 9b

St. Augustine grass is the standard for this region and thrives in the local conditions. With the last frost typically arriving on February 3, Plaquemines offers one of the longest growing seasons in the nation.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Plaquemines Parish's county score?
Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 54.9 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 Plaquemines Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
Plaquemines Parish ranks #30 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 Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in Plaquemines Parish is $1,275, with an effective tax rate of 0.46%. This earns Plaquemines Parish a tax score of 89.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Plaquemines Parish?
The median household income in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana is $82,874 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Plaquemines Parish earns an income score of 86.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
Plaquemines Parish scores 54.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #30 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate Plaquemines 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 Plaquemines 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.