countyscore
48.2
County Score
Water Quality 86Income & Jobs 82.7Soil Quality 80.8

County Report Card

About St. Charles Parish, Louisiana

Near the National Median Score

St. Charles Parish earns a 48.8 composite score, placing it just below the national median of 50.0. While it struggles with affordability, its high income levels keep it competitive on a national scale.

Slightly Below the State Average

The parish's score of 48.8 sits below the Louisiana average of 53.0, largely due to high costs and environmental risks. However, it remains an economic powerhouse within the state's industrial corridor.

High Incomes and Strong Utilities

St. Charles Parish leads with an income score of 85.9, driven by a median household income of $82,172. Residents also benefit from high-quality water (86.0) and solid school performance (62.5).

Affordability and Natural Risks

A low cost score of 16.7 reflects median home values of $256,800, making it expensive for the region. Environmental risk is also a major concern, with a score of 15.0 indicating high vulnerability.

A Choice for High Earners

This parish is tailor-made for professionals who prioritize high salaries and good schools over low living costs. It is the best fit for families who can afford higher housing prices and want strong municipal services.

2040608010073.316.431.366.262.582.7158627.1Tax73.3Cost16.4Safety31.3Health66.2Schools62.5Income82.7Risk15Water86Weather27.148.2/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

St. Charles Parish DNA

Foverall

How St. Charles Parish compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

St. Charles Parish is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (82.7/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (15/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
73.3+21.299999999999997
Cost
16.4-31.6
Safety
31.3-23.7
Health
66.2+16.200000000000003
Schools
62.5+8.5
Income
82.7+31.700000000000003
Risk
15-32
Water
86+28
Weather
27.1-28.9
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Compare mortgage rates in St. Charles Parish

Whether buying or refinancing in St. Charles Parish, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$263,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,210/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$263,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$48,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $80,897/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.4

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare St. Charles Parish with Clarke County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Clarke County
Alabama
Median income: $49,249
48.2
Logan County
Arkansas
Median income: $58,555
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Essex County
Massachusetts
Median income: $101,883
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St. Charles County
Missouri
Median income: $104,692
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Briscoe County
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Median income: $45,417
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Lamoille County
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Median income: $74,908
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Outagamie County
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Median income: $85,069
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Marengo County
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Median income: $43,825
48.3

Nearby counties

St. John the Baptist Parish
Louisiana
41.9
Jefferson Parish
Louisiana
33.5
Lafourche Parish
Louisiana
46.3
St. James Parish
Louisiana
50.2
Orleans Parish
Louisiana
23.5
Livingston Parish
Louisiana
43.8
Ascension Parish
Louisiana
40.8
Assumption Parish
Louisiana
70

Deep Dives

St. Charles Parish across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in St. Charles Parish

via TaxByCounty

St. Charles Parish taxes remain moderate

St. Charles Parish residents pay an effective property tax rate of 0.574%, still notably below the national median of 0.955% and in the bottom 30% of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,475 annually is approximately 45% below the national median of $2,690.

Among Louisiana's highest tax rates

St. Charles Parish ranks among the highest-taxing parishes in Louisiana with a 0.574% effective rate, well above the state average of 0.421% and in the upper 10% statewide. The median annual tax of $1,475 nearly doubles the state median of $732.

Steepest rate in the southeast cluster

St. Charles Parish's 0.574% rate is the highest in southeast Louisiana, notably exceeding St. James Parish (0.527%) and St. John the Baptist Parish (0.451%). A St. Charles homeowner with the median $256,800 property pays roughly $250 more annually than a comparable St. James resident.

What $256,800 homes cost to own

St. Charles Parish homeowners with the median property value of $256,800 pay approximately $1,475 in annual property taxes at the 0.574% rate, the highest in the southeast region. Including mortgage-related assessments, the total annual bill reaches $1,564.

Review your assessment carefully

With the parish's above-average tax rate, St. Charles residents should carefully review their property assessments for potential overvaluation. An appeal to your assessor costs nothing and could result in significant annual savings on your property tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Charles Parish

via IncomeByCounty

St. Charles earns 10% above national median

St. Charles Parish's median household income of $82,172 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $7,400, making it one of Louisiana's strongest-earning parishes. The per capita income of $39,716 significantly outpaces the national average, indicating robust individual wealth generation across the parish.

Louisiana's highest-earning parish in this sample

St. Charles Parish dominates Louisiana's income rankings in this group with a median household income of $82,172, more than $27,000 above the state average of $55,250. The parish's per capita income of $39,716 also substantially exceeds Louisiana's state average of $29,702, marking St. Charles as an economic outlier.

St. Charles far outpaces neighboring parishes

St. Charles Parish's $82,172 median income towersover all comparison parishes, exceeding St. John the Baptist ($67,418) by $14,754 and St. James ($64,536) by $17,636. This significant lead reflects St. Charles's access to petrochemical, industrial, and port-related employment clustered in the greater New Orleans area.

Excellent earnings power meets housing costs

St. Charles Parish's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% remains healthy and well below the concerning 22.6% observed in St. Bernard Parish. With strong median income and manageable housing costs, St. Charles households enjoy substantial capacity for savings, investments, and quality-of-life spending.

St. Charles families can build serious wealth

St. Charles Parish households earning $82,172 should maximize retirement contributions, diversify into real estate and stock portfolios, and consider wealth-building strategies like tax-advantaged 529 plans. This income level provides St. Charles residents competitive advantage to accumulate generational wealth and retire comfortably.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in St. Charles Parish

via CrimeByCounty

Strong Safety Scores in St. Charles

St. Charles Parish earns a strong safety score of 97.4. The total crime rate of 1,619.0 per 100,000 is much lower than the national figure of 2,385.5.

Outperforming the Louisiana Average

Ranking above the state average safety score of 97.1, St. Charles is a safer alternative to many neighboring parishes. Its crime rate is roughly 12% lower than the state average of 1,853.7.

A Secure Pocket in the Region

While some nearby parishes see crime rates spike near 2,000, St. Charles maintains a more controlled environment at 1,619.0. It serves as a relatively secure area within the larger metropolitan region.

Lower Than National Violent Crime

Property crime accounts for 1,295.2 incidents per 100,000, while the violent crime rate is 323.8. These numbers show that violent incidents remain below the national average of 369.8.

Smart Habits for Homeowners

Consistent security habits are the best defense against property crime in the area. Local homeowners should focus on securing entry points and maintaining visible deterrents to discourage theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in St. Charles Parish

via WeatherByCounty

Extreme Annual Rainfall Levels

St. Charles Parish receives a massive 66.0 inches of rain annually, nearly doubling the precipitation levels of many U.S. regions. While specific temperature data is limited, the environment is defined by its high moisture.

Wetter Than Most of Louisiana

The parish's 66.0 inches of precipitation far exceeds the Louisiana state average of 60.8 inches. It is one of the wettest parishes in a state that is already among the nation's dampest.

Consistent Wetness Across the Region

St. Charles sees rainfall similar to St. Helena (65.6 inches) and St. James (66.2 inches). This region forms a high-precipitation belt across southern Louisiana.

Dominated by Rain Rather Than Snow

Snow is a rare occurrence in this part of the state, as the climate is dominated by tropical moisture. Residents experience frequent afternoon thunderstorms and heavy seasonal downpours.

Invest in Robust Water Management

Homeowners should prioritize high-capacity gutters and flood insurance due to the 66 inches of annual rain. Waterproof footwear and reliable umbrellas are daily essentials for residents here.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in St. Charles Parish

via SoilByCounty

Acidic and Organic Deep Soils

St. Charles Parish averages a soil pH of 5.76, aligning almost perfectly with the Louisiana state average of 5.74. This level is more acidic than the national median of 6.5, typical for high-organic wetlands. These soils are chemically active and reflect the parish's unique river-delta geography.

A Clay-Dominant Landscape

This soil is composed of 47.7% clay and a tiny 4.1% sand fraction, creating a very heavy texture. Such high clay levels mean the soil holds onto nutrients and water with extreme tenacity. However, this also makes it prone to shrinking and swelling, which affects both gardening and construction.

Massive Organic Matter Reserves

The organic matter content is an incredible 20.48%, which is more than ten times the national average. This high carbon level, combined with a water capacity of 0.210 in/in, creates a spongy, highly fertile environment. This soil acts as a massive reservoir for both moisture and plant nutrients.

High Capacity for Moisture

Although specific drainage classes are not listed, the low sand and high organic matter ensure the soil remains saturated for long periods. The soil acts like a sponge, holding 0.210 inches of water per inch of soil. This requires careful management of drainage to prevent anaerobic conditions for plant roots.

Tropical Potential in Zone 9b

In the mild winters of zone 9b, you can grow satsumas, papayas, and ginger with ease. The high-clay, high-organic soil is a dream for moisture-loving plants like hibiscus and cannas. Start your backyard oasis today and enjoy the incredible natural fertility of the delta.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in St. Charles Parish

via LawnByCounty

Overcoming Humidity in St. Charles

St. Charles Parish scores a 39.8 on the lawn difficulty scale, beating the Louisiana average of 33.8. While challenging compared to the national median, it offers a relatively favorable environment for southern turf varieties.

Heavy Rainfall Totals

Annual precipitation reaches 66.0 inches, significantly higher than the ideal lawn range of 30-50 inches. This excess water requires lawns to have excellent drainage and may increase the risk of waterborne turf diseases.

Heavy Clay and Acidic Soil

The soil is dominated by clay at 47.7% and has a slightly acidic pH of 5.76. You may need to aerate regularly to prevent compaction and apply soil amendments to move the pH closer to 6.0.

Resilience Through Severe Droughts

Roughly 51.9% of the parish is currently in severe drought, part of a 20-week drought trend over the past year. Even with high annual rainfall, these intense dry spells mean supplemental irrigation is occasionally vital.

Durable Grasses for Zone 9b

The humid, high-clay environment of Zone 9b is best suited for resilient grasses like St. Augustine. Aim to start your lawn in late February or early March to take advantage of the long growing season.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St. Charles Parish's county score?
St. Charles Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 48.2 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 St. Charles Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
St. Charles Parish ranks #40 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 St. Charles Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in St. Charles Parish is $1,562, with an effective tax rate of 0.59%. This earns St. Charles Parish a tax score of 73.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in St. Charles Parish?
The median household income in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana is $80,897 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. Charles Parish earns an income score of 82.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. Charles Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
St. Charles Parish scores 48.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #40 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate St. Charles 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 St. Charles Parish with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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