countyscore
46.9
County Score
Property Tax 92.6Cost of Living 80.3Disaster Risk 63.7

County Report Card

About St. Helena Parish, Louisiana

Below the National Median Mark

St. Helena Parish scores 46.9, trailing the national median score of 50.0. Low economic and safety metrics contribute to its lower-than-average national ranking.

Lagging the Louisiana Average

The parish's 46.9 score falls short of the Louisiana state average of 53.0. While it excels in tax policy, it struggles to compete with higher-scoring parishes in safety and health.

Tax Relief and Low Costs

Taxpayers benefit from a high score of 92.6 and an effective tax rate of 0.421%. Living costs remain low with a score of 80.3, supported by a median home value of only $106,400.

Concerns in Safety and Income

The parish faces hurdles in safety (16.0) and health (24.6). An income score of 14.9 reflects a median household income of $50,193, limiting local purchasing power.

Best for Budget-Focused Rural Living

St. Helena Parish suits those seeking a very low-cost lifestyle with minimal property taxes. It is a reasonable option for residents who prioritize housing affordability above infrastructure and high-paying local jobs.

2040608010092.680.31624.632.614.963.723.839.7Tax92.6Cost80.3Safety16Health24.6Schools32.6Income14.9Risk63.7Water23.8Weather39.746.9/100
This county
National avg
3 above average6 below average

St. Helena Parish DNA

Foverall

How St. Helena Parish compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

St. Helena Parish is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (92.6/100) but notably weak in Safety (16/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
92.6+40.599999999999994
Cost
80.3+32.3
Safety
16-39
Health
24.6-25.4
Schools
32.6-21.4
Income
14.9-36.1
Risk
63.7+16.700000000000003
Water
23.8-34.2
Weather
39.7-16.299999999999997
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$106,400

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$802/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$106,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,080/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $50,193/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

36.9

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
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Deep Dives

St. Helena Parish across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in St. Helena Parish

via TaxByCounty

St. Helena taxes well below national norm

St. Helena Parish has an effective property tax rate of 0.421%, placing it below the national median of 0.955% and in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties. The median annual property tax of $448 is roughly 83% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Exactly at Louisiana's state average

St. Helena Parish's 0.421% effective rate matches Louisiana's state average exactly, making it representative of the typical tax burden across the state's 64 parishes. The median annual tax of $448 is $284 below the state median of $732, reflecting the parish's lower median home value.

Low-tax option in south-central region

St. Helena Parish's 0.421% rate is lower than St. James Parish (0.527%) and St. John the Baptist Parish (0.451%), making it one of the more affordable parishes in the south-central corridor. A St. Helena homeowner with a $106,400 property pays roughly $150 less annually than a St. James resident with the same value.

What $106,400 homes cost to own

The typical St. Helena Parish homeowner with a median-valued property of $106,400 pays approximately $448 in annual property taxes at the 0.421% rate. With mortgage and assessment fees included, that bill rises to $800 per year.

Confirm your valuation is fair

Even at Louisiana's average tax rate, St. Helena residents can benefit from reviewing their property assessments for accuracy. If your home's assessed value exceeds local market comparables, an assessor appeal could reduce your annual tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in St. Helena Parish

via CostByCounty

St. Helena rents align with state norms

St. Helena Parish renters spend 19.2% of income on housing, nearly matching the Louisiana state average of 19.5%, reflecting typical rural parish affordability challenges. With median rent of $802 and household income of $50,193, St. Helena offers middle-ground housing costs without exceptional affordability or strain.

Average affordability for rural Louisiana

St. Helena Parish tracks precisely at Louisiana's statewide affordability norm, with a 19.2% rent-to-income ratio and median rent of $802 sitting just $71 below the state average of $873. The parish represents typical rural Louisiana housing dynamics without exceptional advantages or disadvantages.

Moderate costs in rural southeast

St. Helena's median rent of $802 falls between Sabine Parish's bargain $664 and Richland Parish's $836, positioning it as a moderate-cost option. Local incomes of $50,193 are among the lower tier surveyed, creating a balanced but unremarkable affordability profile for the southeast rural region.

Homeownership offers solid savings

St. Helena renters dedicate 19.2% of income to $802 monthly rent, while homeowners spending $434 claim only 10.4% of income—a dramatic $368 monthly advantage favoring purchase. The median home value of $106,400 represents one of the most affordable entry points for buyers across all parishes surveyed.

St. Helena suits patient home buyers

St. Helena Parish offers middle-ground affordability for relocators, with typical Louisiana rental costs balanced by very affordable home prices under $107,000. The substantial homeownership savings make St. Helena particularly attractive to renters ready to build equity, while those staying mobile should compare against more affordable rental markets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Helena Parish

via IncomeByCounty

St. Helena earns 33% below national average

St. Helena Parish's median household income of $50,193 falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $24,500, placing the parish among Louisiana's lowest earners. The per capita income of $24,848 significantly trails the national average, indicating limited wealth generation and economic opportunity.

Among Louisiana's poorest parishes

St. Helena Parish's median household income of $50,193 ranks in the lower third of Louisiana parishes, sitting 9% below the state average of $55,250. The per capita income of $24,848 is the lowest among these eight parishes and trails Louisiana's average of $29,702, reflecting severe income constraints.

St. Helena's income trails all sample neighbors

St. Helena Parish's $50,193 median income ranks lowest among this group, falling below Red River Parish ($44,539)—wait, that's incorrect. St. Helena at $50,193 sits above Red River ($44,539) but below all other sample parishes including Richland ($52,960) and Sabine ($52,047). The parish struggles economically within even Louisiana's modest income context.

Low income, manageable housing costs

St. Helena Parish's rent-to-income ratio of 19.2% indicates renters spend roughly one-fifth of earnings on housing, which is reasonable but still burdens households earning only $50,193. After covering housing and basic necessities, St. Helena families have minimal margin for emergency savings or retirement planning.

St. Helena families must prioritize savings discipline

St. Helena Parish households earning $50,193 should establish automatic transfers to savings accounts even if starting with just $25 biweekly, building emergency cushions first. Once three months of expenses are saved, redirecting that same amount toward retirement accounts or low-cost index funds can gradually compound wealth despite income challenges.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in St. Helena Parish

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Levels Match National Norms

St. Helena Parish reports a safety score of 96.3, reflecting some local safety challenges. The total crime rate of 2,317.9 per 100,000 is nearly identical to the national average of 2,385.5.

Safety Below the State Average

The parish’s safety score of 96.3 trails the state average of 97.1. With a crime rate of 2,317.9, it sees significantly more activity than the Louisiana average of 1,853.7.

Tougher Safety Landscape for Residents

St. Helena faces a tougher safety landscape than many of its peers in the state. Its crime rate is roughly 25% higher than the typical Louisiana parish average, requiring higher resident awareness.

High Violent Crime Rates Reported

Violent crime is notably high at 901.4 per 100,000, which is more than double the national average. Property crime contributes another 1,416.5 incidents to the parish total.

Invest in Comprehensive Protection

Given the elevated violent crime rate, residents should invest in comprehensive home security. High-quality locks and monitored alarm systems provide essential peace of mind in this environment.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in St. Helena Parish

via SchoolsByCounty

Small-Scale Education in St. Helena

St. Helena Parish maintains a very small school footprint with just three public schools serving 1,119 students. The system is comprised of two elementary schools and one high school, all managed within a single district.

Strong Graduation Rates on a Budget

Despite a lower per-pupil expenditure of $6,759, the parish achieves an 87.0% graduation rate, matching the national average. The school score of 51.4 is just above the national median, demonstrating efficient results from limited resources.

St. Helena Parish School District

The St. Helena Parish School District serves as the sole provider for the area's 1,119 students with no charter schools present. The district focuses its efforts on a unified curriculum across its three primary and secondary campuses.

The Intimacy of a Rural Campus

All three schools are located in rural areas, with an average enrollment of 373 students per school. The St. Helena College and Career Academy is the largest campus, housing 487 students from grades 7 through 12.

A Close-Knit Community Setting

Homebuyers seeking a quiet, rural atmosphere will appreciate the small, focused school environment in St. Helena Parish. With strong graduation rates, this area offers a high-performing education system without the hustle of larger suburban districts.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Helena Parish

via RiskByCounty

St. Helena Below National Risk Average

St. Helena Parish scores 36.29, well below the national average for composite disaster risk, earning a very low rating. The parish benefits from lower flood and earthquake exposure but faces above-average hurricane (79.60) and tornado risks (69.18).

Among Safer Louisiana Parishes

St. Helena Parish ranks among Louisiana's lowest-risk counties with a composite score of 36.29, roughly 42% below the state average of 62.37. Only Red River, Richland, and a handful of other inland parishes score lower, reflecting St. Helena's inland position in eastern Louisiana.

Safer Than Southern Coastal Parishes

St. Helena Parish (36.29) performs similarly to nearby Richland Parish (36.67) but significantly outperforms southern parishes like St. James (71.02), St. Charles (85.05), and St. John the Baptist (81.52). The parish's upriver location and distance from the coast provide substantial natural protection.

Hurricane and Tornado Focus

St. Helena Parish's top hazards are hurricane risk (79.60) and tornado risk (69.18), both elevated but manageable compared to coastal parishes. Flood risk (34.96) and wildfire risk (53.31) present secondary but notable concerns during their respective seasons.

Standard Coverage Typically Sufficient

St. Helena residents should maintain homeowners insurance to cover wind and tornado damage, plus a separate flood policy for added protection. While the parish's overall risk is low, its location along inland waterways means flood awareness and evacuation planning remain prudent precautions.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in St. Helena Parish

via WaterByCounty

Failing Grade Despite Lower Violation Rate

St. Helena Parish holds a failing water quality grade after recording 10 health violations over five years. Although its violation rate of 96.1 per 100,000 is much lower than the state average of 407.2, the grade remains an 'F'. These violations point to intermittent gaps in drinking water safety.

Mercury and Oxygen Impact Local Streams

The 2022 assessment reports that 83.7% of the 43 monitored water bodies in the county are impaired. Mercury in fish tissue and low dissolved oxygen are the leading causes of these Clean Water Act failures. This rate is slightly more favorable than the Louisiana average of 87.7%.

Limited Federal Water Quality Records

There are currently no recent monitoring records available for St. Helena Parish in the federal Water Quality Portal. This lack of data means there is a gap in our understanding of the specific chemical and physical traits of local water. Monitoring is essential for tracking the pollutants identified in the watershed health report.

Amite River Flowing Above Mean

The Amite River near Darlington is currently discharging at 1020 cfs, which is 113% of its long-term typical flow. This healthy flow rate suggests the drainage area is well-hydrated and moving water effectively. High flows can help dilute some pollutants, though they may also increase sediment runoff.

Practical Steps for Water Safety

Residents should remain aware of the 10 recent health violations and consider periodic tap water testing. Due to the mercury advisories in the watershed, follow state guidelines regarding the consumption of locally caught fish. Utilize the Amite River flow data to time recreational activities, being wary of increased turbidity during these higher flows.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in St. Helena Parish

via WeatherByCounty

Deep South Humidity and Heavy Rain

St. Helena Parish records 65.6 inches of annual precipitation, placing it well above national norms. This high level of moisture defines the local subtropical ecosystem.

Exceeding the State Precipitation Average

At 65.6 inches of rain, St. Helena is significantly wetter than the Louisiana state average of 60.8 inches. It represents the high-rainfall interior of the Florida Parishes region.

Similar to Nearby River Parishes

The parish's rainfall is comparable to St. Charles (66.0 inches) and St. James (66.2 inches). It shares a common humid profile with its neighbors to the south and west.

A Climate Defined by Moisture

While specific temperature data is unavailable, the high precipitation suggests a climate with rare snowfall and frequent thunderstorms. The moisture levels peak during the humid summer months.

Prepare for High Humidity and Rainfall

Managing indoor air quality and mold prevention is key given the 65.6 inches of annual rain. Residents should ensure that all outdoor equipment is rust-resistant to withstand the constant dampness.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in St. Helena Parish

via SoilByCounty

Strongly Acidic Upland Soils

St. Helena Parish has a very acidic soil pH of 5.17, which is notably lower than the state average of 5.74. This level of acidity can limit the availability of phosphorus and calcium for many garden plants. Lime is almost always required to bring these soils closer to the national median of 6.5.

Silt-Heavy with Moderate Sand

The soil contains 50.7% silt and 35.9% sand, with a low clay percentage of 13.4%. This combination produces a medium texture that is easy to cultivate and provides good aeration for roots. It avoids the heavy, sticky nature of clay-rich soils found further south.

Reliable Water and Organic Content

Organic matter sits at 2.55%, which is healthy compared to the national average of 2.0% but lower than the state's 6.38%. The available water capacity of 0.184 in/in is right at the state average. This indicates the soil has a solid ability to support crops through typical dry spells.

Standard Infiltration Patterns

Specific drainage and hydrologic data are unavailable for this parish, but the silt-sand mix suggests moderate drainage. Without a high clay content, water should move relatively freely through the upper soil layers. Monitoring local slopes is still important to prevent erosion in these silty profiles.

Versatile Gardening in Zone 9a

Zone 9a provides a long growing season for everything from sweet potatoes to blueberries. Because the soil is naturally quite acidic, it is perfect for acid-loving shrubs like camellias and azaleas. Grab a soil test kit and start your garden journey in this warm, productive climate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in St. Helena Parish

via LawnByCounty

Steady Growth in St. Helena

St. Helena Parish holds a lawn difficulty score of 40.0, which is several points higher than the Louisiana average of 33.8. This Zone 9a parish provides a more manageable environment for homeowners than much of the state.

Abundant Water for Thirsty Lawns

The parish receives 65.6 inches of rain annually, which is well above the national ideal but typical for Louisiana. This high volume of water supports lush growth but may require more frequent mowing during the rainy season.

Correcting Very Acidic Soil

With a soil pH of 5.17, St. Helena has some of the most acidic soil in the region, far below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. Applying lime is a critical step here to unlock nutrients and improve the health of your turf.

Exceptional Drought Resilience

Unlike much of the state, 0.0% of St. Helena is currently in drought, and it only saw 3 dry weeks last year. This consistent moisture availability makes it much easier to keep your lawn green without heavy irrigation.

Acid-Tolerant Varieties for St. Helena

Centipede grass is a natural choice for this parish as it tolerates acidic soils better than most other species. Start your seeding in the early spring to establish a strong root system before the summer heat intensifies.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St. Helena Parish's county score?
St. Helena Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 46.9 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 St. Helena Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
St. Helena Parish ranks #44 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. Helena Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in St. Helena Parish is $448, with an effective tax rate of 0.42%. This earns St. Helena Parish a tax score of 92.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in St. Helena Parish?
The median household income in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana is $50,193 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. Helena Parish earns an income score of 14.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. Helena Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
St. Helena Parish scores 46.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #44 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate St. Helena 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. Helena Parish with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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