CountyScore

St. Mary Parish

Louisiana · LA

#46 in Louisiana
67.9
County Score

County Report Card

About St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

St. Mary outperforms national average substantially

At 67.9, St. Mary Parish scores 36% above the national median of 50.0, confirming strong livability fundamentals across multiple dimensions. The parish delivers affordable living, manageable taxes, and reasonable health access relative to the nation as a whole. This performance reflects the economic resilience of South Louisiana's industrial and agricultural base.

Below-average by state standards

St. Mary's score of 67.9 trails the Louisiana average of 70.4, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state parishes. While not a top performer, the parish remains competitive and offers reasonable livability within the state's context. It represents a solid middle-ground option without elite designation.

Tax efficiency and housing affordability lead

St. Mary excels with a tax score of 91.0 and effective rate of 0.402%, combined with a cost score of 84.9 reflecting median home values of just $128,000. Rent at $839/month keeps housing accessible even for modest earners. These affordability advantages provide genuine financial relief for cost-sensitive households.

Income and risk factors warrant consideration

Median household income of $51,768 yields an income score of just 17.2, limiting earning potential compared to state averages. Health outcomes at 57.8 are moderate, and the risk score of 11.1, though low, still reflects economic pressures. Residents should anticipate limited wage growth and modest public resources.

Perfect for retirees and fixed-income families

St. Mary Parish serves those seeking rock-bottom housing costs and minimal tax burden—especially retirees, young couples saving for a home, or single-income families. The parish's industrial heritage provides some job stability, though advancement opportunities are limited. It's a practical refuge for people prioritizing financial security over economic dynamism.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91Cost84.9SafetyComing SoonHealth57.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.2Risk11.1WaterComing Soon
🏛91
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11.1
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 St. Mary Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Taylor County
Florida
67.9
Median income: $44,985
Lumpkin County
Georgia
67.9
Median income: $72,388
Bonneville County
Idaho
67.9
Median income: $76,646
Bell County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $32,403
Franklin County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $66,470

Deep Dives

St. Mary Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in St. Mary Parish

via TaxByCounty

St. Mary rates among America's lowest

St. Mary Parish's effective tax rate of 0.402% produces median annual taxes of $515, less than one-fifth the national median property tax of $2,690. This places the parish in the lowest quintile nationally for property tax burden.

Just below Louisiana's average

St. Mary's 0.402% effective rate ranks slightly below Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, placing the parish very near the statewide median. With median taxes of $515, St. Mary residents pay about $217 less annually than Louisiana's median of $732.

Lower taxes than most surrounding parishes

St. Mary (0.402%) undercuts Tangipahoa (0.433%) and Terrebonne (0.451%) but exceeds St. Landry (0.297%) and Tensas (0.289%). Among the eight-parish region, St. Mary ranks near the middle, offering moderate tax rates compared to its neighbors.

Your annual tax on a median home

St. Mary's median home value of $128,000 results in annual property taxes of approximately $515, or $614 with mortgage escrow included. This translates to roughly $43 monthly—well below the national average and among Louisiana's most affordable.

Review your assessment for errors

Even in lower-tax parishes like St. Mary, overassessments are common and correctable through appeals. If your property tax bill seems high relative to recent neighborhood sales or comparable homes, request a formal assessment review at no cost to challenge inflated valuations.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in St. Mary Parish

via CostByCounty

St. Mary matches national affordability norms

At 19.4%, St. Mary's rent-to-income ratio sits at the national benchmark, reflecting sustainable housing costs for renters. With a median household income of $51,768, residents earn significantly less than the national median of $74,755 but achieve affordability through lower regional rents.

Top-tier affordability across Louisiana

St. Mary ranks among Louisiana's most affordable parishes with a 19.4% rent-to-income ratio, outperforming the state average of 19.5%. This consistency places the parish in the best quartile statewide for housing burden.

Lower rents, lower home values too

St. Mary's $839 monthly rent undercuts the state average of $873 by $34, sitting in the middle of the tri-parish cluster. Median home values of $128,000 make St. Mary the most affordable for buyers among St. Landry, St. Martin, and St. Mary.

Housing takes 19% of household budgets

Renters pay $839 monthly while homeowners carry $552, with a median income of $51,768 spreading that burden comfortably. At 19.4% of income, housing leaves substantial room for healthcare, food, and other necessities.

St. Mary offers deep affordability for movers

If lowest home values and rent burdens appeal to you, St. Mary Parish delivers with median ownership costs of $552 and homes valued near $128,000. Test this parish against neighboring options before committing to your Louisiana relocation.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Mary Parish

via IncomeByCounty

St. Mary households earn below average

St. Mary Parish's median household income of $51,768 falls $22,987 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, representing a 31% income deficit. Despite this gap, the parish income outpaces several rural Louisiana parishes.

Below-average income for Louisiana

St. Mary's $51,768 sits about 6% below Louisiana's $55,250 median, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of state parishes. The parish faces similar income pressures as other coastal and rural regions in South Louisiana.

Mid-range income in coastal cluster

St. Mary earns $51,768, placing it between struggling Union Parish ($45,743) and stronger Tangipahoa Parish ($57,256). The parish mirrors income levels seen in St. Martin Parish ($53,394), reflecting shared regional economic conditions.

Affordable housing supports families

St. Mary's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio signals healthy affordability, with households spending well under 30% of income on rent. The low median home value of $128,000 further stretches household budgets in the parish.

Build wealth through disciplined investing

St. Mary residents earning $51,768 can establish wealth by opening a high-yield savings account and investing $100–200 monthly. A 20-year investment horizon at 7% returns turns modest deposits into $60,000+ in growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in St. Mary Parish

via HealthByCounty

St. Mary faces significant life expectancy gap

At 71.8 years, St. Mary Parish residents live 4.3 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. The parish reports a 28% poor or fair health rate—the highest in this comparison—indicating widespread health challenges beyond just life expectancy.

Below-average health rank in Louisiana

St. Mary Parish's 71.8-year life expectancy falls short of Louisiana's 72.5-year state average. With 28% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the parish ranks among Louisiana's most challenged parishes for population health.

Struggles outpace most adjacent parishes

St. Mary's 71.8-year life expectancy trails healthier neighbors like St. Martin (73.3) and Terrebonne (73.2), and its 28% poor/fair rate is the highest in the region. The parish also has fewer primary care providers at 44 per 100,000 compared to better-resourced neighbors.

High uninsured rate adds to health burden

St. Mary's 9.3% uninsured rate is among the highest in the group and well above Louisiana's 8.1% average, leaving nearly 1 in 11 residents without coverage. With 44 primary care providers per 100,000, the parish struggles to meet the care needs of a population with widespread health challenges.

Securing coverage is a critical first step

If you're uninsured, the Louisiana marketplace and Medicaid expansion can connect you with affordable plans and regular care. Head to Healthcare.gov today to explore options that reduce out-of-pocket costs and improve access to preventive services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Mary Parish

via RiskByCounty

St. Mary ranks among nation's riskier counties

With a composite risk score of 88.93, St. Mary Parish exceeds typical U.S. disaster risk significantly, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating. The parish faces compounded hazards from water and wind that demand serious preparation.

42% above Louisiana's state average

St. Mary Parish scores 88.93 compared to Louisiana's 62.37 average, placing it in the state's upper tier of disaster-exposed parishes. This elevated profile reflects the parish's geographic position along Louisiana's coast and hurricane-prone zone.

Highest-risk parish in southern trio

St. Mary Parish edges slightly above St. Landry (88.20) and St. Martin (87.28) in composite risk, forming the state's most hazard-concentrated cluster. All three dramatically outpace lower-risk parishes like Union (49.65) and Tensas (14.50).

Hurricane and flood dominate risks

Hurricane risk peaks at 97.33—the highest threat facing the parish—while flood risk of 93.00 reflects coastal vulnerability and heavy rainfall patterns. Tornadoes also present significant danger at 86.36, creating a year-round hazard environment.

Comprehensive coverage is non-negotiable

St. Mary residents must obtain both standard homeowners insurance and separate flood insurance immediately, as the parish's 93.00 flood score demands dual protection. Ensure wind coverage explicitly includes hurricane-force conditions given the 97.33 hurricane threat.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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