CountyScore

Richland Parish

Louisiana · LA

#20 in Louisiana
72.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Richland Parish, Louisiana

Richland Parish outpaces national livability median

Richland Parish scores 72.9—nearly 45% above the national median of 50.0—placing it solidly in the upper tier of U.S. counties. This strength is anchored by exceptionally low taxes and affordable housing that shelter residents from cost pressures.

Richland ranks among Louisiana's best

Richland Parish's composite score of 72.9 exceeds Louisiana's statewide average of 70.4, reflecting above-average livability. The parish consistently ranks among the state's most stable and affordable places to live.

Lowest tax burden in this group

Richland Parish boasts the lowest effective tax rate (0.352%) among these eight parishes and an exceptional tax score of 92.4. Combined with a cost score of 84.4 and median home values of $124,500, residents enjoy unmatched financial breathing room.

Income and risk factors warrant monitoring

Median household income of $52,960, while better than Red River, still trails state and national benchmarks, yielding an income score of 18.0. The risk score of 63.3 suggests moderate environmental or natural hazard concerns that deserve attention.

Best for value-conscious families seeking stability

Richland Parish is ideal for households valuing minimal tax burden and housing affordability above high incomes. Young families, early-career professionals, and cost-conscious middle-income earners will find excellent value here.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.4Cost84.4SafetyComing SoonHealth59.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome18Risk63.3WaterComing Soon
🏛92.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡63.3
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 Richland Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Henry County
Alabama
72.9
Median income: $60,135
Jackson County
Colorado
72.9
Median income: $41,809
Kit Carson County
Colorado
72.9
Median income: $59,810
Baker County
Georgia
72.9
Median income: $44,405
Clearwater County
Idaho
72.9
Median income: $57,961

Deep Dives

Richland Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Richland Parish

via TaxByCounty

Richland Parish taxes among nation's lowest

Richland Parish has an effective property tax rate of just 0.352%, placing it in the bottom 5% of U.S. counties and well below the national median of 0.955%. The median annual property tax of $438 is about 84% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Louisiana's most tax-friendly parish

Richland Parish ranks as one of Louisiana's lowest-taxing parishes, with an effective rate of 0.352% compared to the state average of 0.421%. This represents a savings of roughly $294 annually for a homeowner with the state's median home value.

Clear tax advantage over region

Richland Parish's 0.352% rate is the lowest in northeast Louisiana, undercutting neighboring Red River Parish (0.538%) by nearly 2 percentage points and Sabine Parish (0.383%) by about 0.03%. A Richland homeowner with a $124,500 property pays roughly $100 less annually than a similar Red River homeowner.

What $124,500 homes cost to own

The typical Richland Parish homeowner with a median-valued property of $124,500 pays just $438 in annual property taxes—among the lowest in the nation. With mortgage and assessment fees included, that figure rises to $709 per year.

Appeal if you're overassessed

Even in one of Louisiana's most tax-efficient parishes, overassessment happens and can inflate your bill unnecessarily. Contact your parish assessor to request a reassessment if you believe your property is valued above its fair market worth.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Richland Parish

via CostByCounty

Richland rents are genuinely affordable

Richland Parish renters spend just 18.9% of their income on housing, below both Louisiana's state average of 19.5% and the national affordability benchmark. With median rent at $836 and median household income of $52,960, Richland offers one of the better rent-to-income ratios among rural Louisiana parishes.

Louisiana's affordable rental market

Richland Parish ranks among Louisiana's most affordable parishes for renters, with an 18.9% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average of 19.5%. Median rent of $836 sits slightly below state median of $873, while local incomes of $52,960 provide stronger purchasing power than many neighboring parishes.

Pricier than Red River, cheaper overall

Richland's median rent of $836 exceeds neighboring Red River Parish by $105 monthly, but Richland's higher median income of $52,960 makes renting proportionally easier. The parish offers a sweet spot between rural affordability and slightly higher incomes than its western neighbors.

Homeownership is the real bargain

Richland renters allocate 18.9% of income to housing, while homeowners spending $590 monthly keep costs to just 13.4% of income—a significant $246 monthly advantage. The median home value of $124,500 positions the parish as an attractive entry point for buyers seeking Louisiana real estate.

Richland Parish punches above its weight

Relocating to Richland Parish delivers solid affordability for both renters and buyers, with housing costs tracking below state averages and median home values under $125,000. The combination of reasonable rents and stronger incomes than neighboring parishes makes this a standout choice for Louisiana movers on a budget.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Richland Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Richland earns notably below national average

Richland Parish's median household income of $52,960 trails the U.S. median by $21,795—a 29% shortfall that reflects the parish's rural character and limited high-wage employment sectors. While higher than some Louisiana peers, Richland still sits substantially below what typical American households earn.

Mid-range income for Louisiana parishes

Richland Parish's median household income of $52,960 ranks near the state average of $55,250, positioning it in the middle of Louisiana's economic spectrum. The parish's per capita income of $26,762 sits just slightly below the state average of $29,702, suggesting relatively balanced income distribution.

Richland outperforms Red River significantly

Richland Parish's $52,960 median income exceeds Red River Parish's $44,539 by roughly $8,400, though it falls short of Sabine Parish's $52,047—all three counties cluster in the rural northeastern Louisiana income zone. These modest differentials suggest fairly similar economic conditions across the region.

Rents manageable, but savings limited

Richland Parish's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% indicates housing costs are reasonable, with renters typically spending less than one-fifth of income on rent. The median household income of $52,960, however, constrains discretionary spending and retirement savings after covering housing and basic living costs.

Invest steadily in Richland's future

Richland Parish households earning $52,960 should prioritize maxing out employer 401(k) matches and opening Roth IRAs when possible. Even $100 monthly investments in diversified funds can accumulate substantially over decades, helping bridge the income gap with wealthier regions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Richland Parish

via HealthByCounty

Richland lags far behind national health

Richland Parish residents have a life expectancy of 71.5 years—5.9 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 26.1% reporting poor or fair health, the parish faces health burdens nearly 45% higher than the national rate of 18%. These disparities reflect underlying inequities in healthcare access and economic opportunity.

Second-lowest life expectancy in state

At 71.5 years, Richland Parish ranks among Louisiana's worst-performing parishes for life expectancy, just 1 year above St. Helena's 70.0 years. Only a handful of parishes struggle more with health outcomes than Richland's residents.

Part of northeast Louisiana's health crisis

Richland's 71.5-year life expectancy places it in a troubling cohort with Red River Parish (71.6 years) and St. Helena Parish (70.0 years). This northeast Louisiana corridor faces compounding challenges in poverty, education, and healthcare infrastructure.

Uninsured rate and provider access

Richland's uninsured rate of 8.9% exceeds the state average of 8.1%, meaning nearly 1 in 11 residents lack health coverage. The parish offsets some gaps with 66 primary care providers and 619 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among Louisiana's highest concentrations—yet residents still struggle to navigate and afford care.

Don't let uninsurance keep you vulnerable

With 8.9% of Richland uninsured, enrollment in a health plan can prevent medical bankruptcy and catch illness early. Call 211 or visit healthcare.gov today to find a plan that fits your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Richland Parish

via RiskByCounty

Richland Parish Below National Average

Richland Parish scores 36.67 on the composite risk scale, significantly lower than the national average, earning a very low risk rating. The parish faces moderate tornado risk (71.82) and hurricane exposure (66.17), but benefits from lower flood and wildfire vulnerability.

Among Louisiana's Safest Counties

Richland Parish ranks near the bottom of Louisiana's risk spectrum with a score of 36.67, less than 60% of the state average of 62.37. Only a handful of Louisiana parishes—including neighboring Red River—score lower, making Richland one of the state's safer locations.

Safer Than Regional Peers

Richland Parish (36.67) sits well below Sabine Parish (60.97) to the west but slightly exceeds nearby Red River Parish (16.67). The parish's inland northeast location buffers it from coastal hurricane surge and storm surge flooding that threatens southern parishes.

Tornado and Hurricane Lead Concerns

Tornado risk (71.82) and hurricane risk (66.17) dominate Richland Parish's hazard profile, both above state average. However, flooding and wildfire threats remain relatively contained, thanks to the parish's higher elevation and distance from coastal systems.

Prepare for Severe Weather Events

Homeowners insurance is essential to cover tornado and wind damage, the parish's primary threats. Richland residents should maintain a safe room or storm shelter plan and ensure their policies explicitly cover severe convective storms and named hurricanes.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.