countyscore
43.5
County Score
Property Tax 90.5Water Quality 86Soil Quality 77.6

County Report Card

About Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

Below National Median Performance

Terrebonne Parish earns a composite score of 43.5, placing it below the national median of 50.0. Strong water quality and school scores are offset by high environmental risks and safety concerns.

Underperforming the State Average

The parish sits below the Louisiana state average of 53.0, though it remains a regional economic hub. Its profile shows a high contrast between quality public services and environmental vulnerabilities.

Excellent Infrastructure and Education

Infrastructure and education are highlights, with a Water Score of 86.0 and a School Score of 62.0. Tax burdens remain low at 90.5, with an effective rate of only 0.451%.

Safety and Environmental Risk

Safety and environmental risk are major concerns, scoring 4.5 and 5.8 respectively. These low scores reflect the parish's vulnerability to coastal changes and urban safety issues.

Strong Choice for Families

Terrebonne is a solid choice for families who value good schools and reliable utilities above all else. It suits those who are prepared to navigate the complexities of life in a high-risk coastal environment.

2040608010090.539.24.537.46253.75.88627Tax90.5Cost39.2Safety4.5Health37.4Schools62Income53.7Risk5.8Water86Weather2743.5/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Terrebonne Parish DNA

Foverall

How Terrebonne Parish compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Terrebonne Parish is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (90.5/100) but notably weak in Safety (4.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
90.5+38.5
Cost
39.2-8.799999999999997
Safety
4.5-50.5
Health
37.4-12.600000000000001
Schools
62+8
Income
53.7
Risk
5.8-41.2
Water
86+28
Weather
27-29
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Compare mortgage rates in Terrebonne Parish

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$189,100

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,010/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$189,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$40,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $64,819/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.2

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 Terrebonne Parish with Early County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Lafourche Parish
Louisiana
47.1
St. Mary Parish
Louisiana
48.9
Assumption Parish
Louisiana
69.4
St. James Parish
Louisiana
51.8
St. Charles Parish
Louisiana
48.8
Jefferson Parish
Louisiana
34.2
Ascension Parish
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41.2
St. John the Baptist Parish
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43.2

Deep Dives

Terrebonne Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Terrebonne Parish

via TaxByCounty

Terrebonne taxes below national average

Terrebonne Parish's effective tax rate of 0.451% generates median annual taxes of $852, roughly 32% of the national median property tax of $2,690. This places the parish in the bottom third nationally for tax burden.

Moderately above Louisiana's average

Terrebonne's 0.451% rate exceeds Louisiana's state average of 0.421% by 7%, ranking the parish in the upper-middle tier statewide. Median annual taxes of $852 run $120 above Louisiana's median of $732, making Terrebonne a moderately taxed parish.

Higher taxes than most regional peers

Terrebonne's 0.451% rate ranks it as the second-highest among the eight parishes, exceeded only by St. Tammany's 0.737%. Regional residents in Terrebonne pay roughly $375 more annually than those in the lowest-tax parishes like Tensas.

Your annual tax on a median home

Terrebonne's median home value of $189,100 results in approximately $852 per year in property taxes, or $1,077 with mortgage escrow included. This translates to about $71 monthly—moderate by both state and national standards.

Challenge inflated assessments today

Terrebonne homeowners paying higher taxes should review whether their assessments match recent comparable sales in their area. Filing a free assessment appeal can reveal whether you're overassessed and potentially save hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Terrebonne Parish

via CostByCounty

Terrebonne tops Louisiana for affordability

At 18.7%, Terrebonne Parish boasts the state's lowest rent-to-income ratio, well below the national average and Louisiana's 19.5% mean. With a median household income of $64,819 and rents of $1,010, residents enjoy both strong earning power and manageable housing burdens.

Louisiana's housing affordability champion

Terrebonne Parish outperforms all other Louisiana counties with an 18.7% rent-to-income ratio, proving that higher incomes can offset higher rents. The parish sits in the best quartile statewide for housing affordability.

Strong income offsets moderate-high rents

Terrebonne's $1,010 rent exceeds most rural neighbors but trails St. Tammany's $1,305, while the median income of $64,819 outpaces all regional peers. This income advantage generates the state's best affordability ratio despite above-average rents.

Income strength generates housing cushion

Renters spend $1,010 monthly while homeowners carry $829, with a median income of $64,819 keeping housing at just 18.7% of household budgets. This leaves ample room for savings, debt service, and quality-of-life spending.

Terrebonne for balanced living

If you seek strong income potential paired with sustainable housing costs, Terrebonne Parish delivers with the state's best affordability ratio and $189,100 median home values. Compare this parish's balanced profile against St. Tammany and surrounding areas.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Terrebonne Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Terrebonne approaches U.S. income median

Terrebonne Parish households earn $64,819 annually, trailing the national median of $74,755 by about $10,000. This 13% gap is the smallest in the regional cluster, positioning Terrebonne as the second-strongest income performer after St. Tammany.

Above Louisiana's parish average

Terrebonne's $64,819 exceeds Louisiana's $55,250 state median by roughly $9,600, or 17%. The parish ranks in the upper tier of Louisiana parishes, benefiting from robust energy and petrochemical sector employment.

Second-strongest regional earner

Terrebonne's $64,819 trails only St. Tammany Parish ($79,277) and outpaces Tangipahoa Parish ($57,256) by $7,500. The parish demonstrates strong economic health relative to most rural Louisiana counterparts.

Best rent-to-income ratio in group

Terrebonne's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among all peers, signaling excellent housing affordability. Combined with strong incomes, Terrebonne households retain maximum flexibility for savings and discretionary spending.

Leverage advantages into lasting wealth

Terrebonne residents earning $64,819 can aggressively build wealth by investing $250–400 monthly in diversified portfolios. At 7% annual returns over 20 years, consistent investing transforms into $120,000–190,000 in wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Terrebonne Parish

via CrimeByCounty

Terrebonne Faces Elevated Crime Rates

Terrebonne Parish reports a total crime rate of 3647.8 per 100,000 residents, roughly 53% higher than the national average. This results in a safety score of 94.2, the lowest among this local group.

Behind the Louisiana Safety Baseline

The parish’s safety score of 94.2 is lower than the state average of 97.1. Its total crime rate of 3647.8 is also nearly double the state average of 1853.7, indicating significant public safety pressure.

Higher Activity Than Neighboring St. Mary

Compared to nearby St. Mary Parish, which has a rate of 2164.3, Terrebonne is much busier for law enforcement. This highlights the concentrated nature of crime in the Terrebonne area.

Property Crimes Drive Local Statistics

Property crime is high at 3115.9 per 100,000, which is significantly above the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime also sits above the national norm at 531.9 incidents per 100,000.

Prioritize Robust Home Security

With property crime being a major factor, residents should invest in visible security measures. Security cameras and reinforced door frames are effective ways to protect your household from theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Terrebonne Parish

via SchoolsByCounty

Extensive Educational Reach in Terrebonne

Terrebonne Parish serves 15,772 students through a network of 31 public schools. The landscape features 18 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and five high schools, providing comprehensive coverage for the parish.

High Graduation Success Rates

Terrebonne Parish achieves a standout 95.0% graduation rate, significantly higher than the national average of 87%. The parish maintains this performance with a per-pupil expenditure of $6,937 and a solid school score of 56.0.

A Consolidated Parish District

The Terrebonne Parish district manages all 31 schools in the area, serving the entire student population of 15,772. There are no charter schools in the parish, ensuring a consistent curriculum across the unified system.

Diverse Locales from City to Bayou

Schools are evenly distributed between suburban, city, and rural settings, reflecting the parish's varied geography. H. L. Bourgeois High School is the largest campus with 1,411 students, while the average school size is a balanced 526.

Investing in a High-Performing Community

With one of the highest graduation rates in the state, Terrebonne Parish is an excellent place to plant roots. Families can find homes in Houma or the surrounding suburbs that offer direct access to these successful public schools.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Terrebonne Parish

via RiskByCounty

Terrebonne faces high national disaster risk

Terrebonne Parish's composite risk score of 94.24 places it among America's most disaster-exposed counties, rated "Relatively Moderate." The parish contends with extreme hurricane and tornado threats that shape resident preparedness.

51% above Louisiana's state average

Terrebonne's 94.24 score significantly exceeds Louisiana's 62.37 average, ranking among the state's most hazard-vulnerable parishes. Only St. Tammany (96.56) and Tangipahoa (93.32) present comparably high exposure.

Third-riskiest parish statewide

Terrebonne Parish (94.24) ranks third in Louisiana disaster risk, trailing only St. Tammany (96.56) and Tangipahoa (93.32), while exceeding St. Landry (88.20), St. Mary (88.93), and all lower-risk parishes. The parish forms part of Louisiana's high-risk southern corridor.

Hurricanes and tornadoes dominate

Hurricane risk reaches 98.41—among the state's highest—while tornado risk of 92.94 creates a severe dual wind threat. Flood risk of 94.00 compounds danger, particularly during tropical systems.

Secure comprehensive multi-hazard coverage

Terrebonne residents must maintain homeowners insurance with explicit hurricane and tornado coverage, plus mandatory separate flood insurance given the parish's 94.00 flood score. Regular policy reviews ensure adequate limits for the parish's extreme 98.41 hurricane threat.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Terrebonne Parish

via WaterByCounty

Terrebonne Earns Top Grade for Compliance

Terrebonne Parish stands out with a perfect A grade and zero health violations over the past five years. Its violation rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents is a significant achievement compared to the state average of 407.2. This indicates strong adherence to the Safe Drinking Water Act across the parish's systems.

Watershed Impairment Remains Below State Average

While 79.2% of the 96 assessed water bodies are impaired, this rate is better than the state's 87.7% average. Enterococcus and low dissolved oxygen are the primary issues, alongside the presence of non-native aquatic plants. These 2022 findings show the impact of environmental and biological stressors on the coastal basin.

Ten Thousand Samples Guard Terrebonne Water

Forty-four monitoring sites have collected 10,248 measurements over the last five years in Terrebonne. The data focus on physical, organic, and nutrient characteristics to ensure the water remains safe for the community. This consistent oversight supports the parish's excellent drinking water compliance record.

Bayou Grand Caillou Flow Surges Above Mean

The gauge at Bayou Grand Caillou at Dulac reports a current discharge of 275 cubic feet per second. This is a staggering 414% of the long-term mean of 66 cfs. Such high flows in the bayou can significantly alter salinity and nutrient concentrations in the surrounding estuary.

Maintain Vigilance Despite Excellent Water Quality

Residents can take pride in their A-rated drinking water but should remain aware of enterococcus levels in local waterways during recreation. High streamflow at Bayou Grand Caillou may affect local source water, so staying updated on utility reports is still wise. Supporting efforts to control non-native plants will help improve the overall health of the watershed.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Terrebonne Parish

via WeatherByCounty

Deep South coastal warmth

Terrebonne Parish is one of the warmest spots in the U.S., with an annual average temperature of 69.6°F. Its location on the Gulf of Mexico creates a consistently warm and moist climate.

Exceeding Louisiana temperature norms

The parish’s 69.6°F average is well above the state norm of 67.0°F. Its coastal position keeps it warmer on average than almost any other parish in the state.

Similar to St. Mary

Terrebonne shares an identical 69.6°F average with neighboring St. Mary Parish. It is slightly wetter, however, receiving 65.4 inches of rain annually compared to St. Mary’s 61.9 inches.

Long summers and no snow

July averages 82.7°F, and the parish sees 76 days where the temperature exceeds 90°F. Winters are exceptionally mild, averaging 55.7°F with absolutely zero snowfall.

Water management is key

With 65.4 inches of annual rain and a 55.7°F average winter, heavy winter coats are rarely needed, but waterproof gear is essential. Homes require significant ventilation to combat the high humidity of the coastal summer.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Terrebonne Parish

via SoilByCounty

The Organic Richness of Terrebonne

Terrebonne's soil pH is 5.44, slightly more acidic than the state average of 5.74. These coastal soils are heavily influenced by organic accumulation and proximity to the Gulf.

Clay-Dominant Coastal Muck

The composition is 40.7% clay and 20.5% silt, with only 5.1% sand. This makes for a dense, heavy soil that retains moisture and minerals extremely well but lacks traditional aeration.

Unrivaled Organic Matter Levels

At 30.02% organic matter, these soils are nearly five times richer than the state average of 6.38%. This extreme fertility is reflected in a high available water capacity of 0.252 in/in.

Saturated Soils and High Water Tables

The high clay content and low elevation mean these soils stay wet for long periods. Careful drainage management is required for any project, as the soil can hold vast amounts of water.

Subtropical Success in Zone 9b

The warm 9b climate and a soil score of 77.6 make this a haven for water-loving native plants and citrus. Start a garden to take advantage of some of the most organic-rich soil in the nation.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Terrebonne Parish

via LawnByCounty

Terrebonne's coastal lawn struggle

Terrebonne Parish scores a 29.3 on the difficulty scale, making it tougher than the state average. This Zone 9b region faces unique coastal challenges that require a specialized approach to turf management.

High humidity and steady rain

The parish receives 65.4 inches of rain annually, which can saturate the soil and stress root systems. However, with 76 extreme heat days, it stays slightly cooler than the 84-day state average.

Heavy clay and acidic baseline

A high clay content of 40.7% can lead to significant drainage issues and soil compaction. The pH of 5.44 is below the ideal range, so testing for lime requirements is a critical first step for any new lawn.

Total parish under severe drought

Currently, 100% of Terrebonne is in severe drought, a critical situation for local landscapes. Efficient irrigation is a must, as the parish saw 12 weeks of drought over the past year.

Plant early in the year

Zone 9b allows for an early start, with the last frost usually occurring by February 5. St. Augustine grass is highly recommended here for its salt tolerance and ability to handle heavy clay.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Terrebonne Parish's county score?
Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 43.5 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 Terrebonne Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
Terrebonne Parish ranks #51 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 Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in Terrebonne Parish is $852, with an effective tax rate of 0.45%. This earns Terrebonne Parish a tax score of 90.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Terrebonne Parish?
The median household income in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana is $64,819 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Terrebonne Parish earns an income score of 53.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
Terrebonne Parish scores 43.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #51 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate Terrebonne 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 Terrebonne Parish with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.