countyscore
66.8
County Score
Safety 94.4Property Tax 93.5Cost of Living 84.5

County Report Card

About Union Parish, Louisiana

Well Above the National Median

Union Parish achieves an impressive composite score of 66.8, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This high score is fueled by a rare combination of exceptional safety and affordability.

A Leading Louisiana Parish

Ranking significantly higher than the Louisiana average of 53.0, Union Parish is one of the state's top performers. It balances a high quality of life with very low tax and housing costs.

Standout Safety and Low Costs

Public safety is a standout feature with a Safety Score of 94.4. This is paired with an excellent Tax Score of 93.5 and a Cost Score of 84.5, where the median rent is only $758.

Infrastructure and Earnings Gaps

Infrastructure and local earnings represent the primary downsides, with a Water Score of 1.2 and an Income Score of 8.1. The median household income of $45,743 reflects a largely rural economy.

Perfect for Safety-Seekers

Union Parish is perfect for families and retirees looking for a very safe, peaceful, and affordable community. It is a top-tier choice for those who value security and low expenses over high-paying local jobs.

Score breakdown

Tax93.5Cost84.5Safety94.4Health32.3Schools56.1Income8.1Risk50.4Water1.2Weather42.6
🏛93.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼8.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡94.4
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤32.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓56.1
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡50.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧1.2
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤42.6
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨24.4
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱28
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Lincoln Parish
Louisiana
49.8
Union County
Arkansas
40
Ouachita Parish
Louisiana
35.3
Morehouse Parish
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42.2
Ashley County
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Jackson Parish
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Claiborne Parish
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Bradley County
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Deep Dives

Union Parish across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Union Parish

via TaxByCounty

Union Parish taxes well below U.S. median

Union Parish's effective tax rate of 0.407% produces median annual taxes of $470, roughly 17% of the national median property tax of $2,690. This places the parish in the lowest quartile nationally for property tax burden.

Just below Louisiana's average rate

Union's 0.407% rate sits just below Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, ranking it near the statewide median among 64 parishes. Median taxes of $470 run $262 below the state median of $732, making Union a below-average tax parish.

Lower taxes than most regional peers

Union's 0.407% rate ranks it as the sixth-highest among the eight parishes, exceeding only St. Landry (0.297%) and Tensas (0.289%). Regional residents in Union pay roughly $200 less annually than those in higher-tax parishes like Tangipahoa and Terrebonne.

Your annual tax on a median home

With a median home value of $115,400, Union Parish residents pay approximately $470 per year in property taxes, or $686 when mortgage escrow is included. This equals about $39 monthly—well below both state and national averages.

Verify your assessment is accurate

Union Parish homeowners should ensure their assessments reflect true market value by comparing to recent sales of similar properties. A free assessment appeal can identify and correct overvaluations, potentially reducing your annual tax bill significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Union Parish

via CostByCounty

Union Parish sits at national affordability edge

At 19.9%, Union Parish's rent-to-income ratio falls just shy of the national threshold and only marginally above Louisiana's state average. With a median household income of $45,743 and rents of $758, residents achieve stable housing through rural cost-of-living advantages.

Mid-tier affordability across Louisiana

Union Parish ranks in the middle band of Louisiana's 64 parishes for housing affordability, with a 19.9% rent-to-income ratio just 0.4 percentage points above state average. This positions the parish as neither particularly strained nor especially easy.

Similar to St. Landry in cost profile

Union Parish and St. Landry mirror each other closely: both offer rents around $750, incomes near $45,700, and median home values under $120,000. Union homes cost slightly less at $115,400 versus St. Landry's $142,900.

Housing takes one-fifth of income

Renters pay $758 monthly while homeowners carry $490, with a median income of $45,743 allocating 19.9% to rent. This tight but manageable ratio leaves limited flexibility for other household demands.

Union Parish for budget-conscious relocators

Job-seekers and retirees prioritizing absolute lowest costs should test Union Parish's $758 rents and $115,400 median home values against St. Landry. Compare employment and amenity options before choosing between these similar rural parishes.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Union Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Union income significantly lags nation

Union Parish households earn $45,743 annually, roughly $29,000 short of the national median of $74,755. This 39% income gap reflects broader challenges facing rural north Louisiana parishes.

Well below Louisiana average

Union's $45,743 median income falls 17% below Louisiana's $55,250 state average, placing it among the state's lowest-income parishes. The parish struggles with limited job diversity and aging industrial base.

Near the bottom of regional group

Union's $45,743 nearly matches St. Landry Parish ($45,637) and only exceeds Tensas Parish ($36,074) by $9,600. The parish sits firmly in the economically challenged tier of its regional cluster.

Housing remains affordable relative to income

Union's 19.9% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs manageable, with median home values at $115,400. However, tight overall income leaves minimal cushion for unexpected expenses or wealth building.

Build emergency savings first

Union residents should prioritize three to six months of emergency savings before aggressive investing. Once established, setting aside $75–100 monthly for retirement grows to $30,000–40,000 over 20 years through compound growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Union Parish

via CrimeByCounty

Union Parish Boasts Perfect Safety Score

Union Parish achieves a rare safety score of 100.0, indicating exceptionally low criminal activity. Its total crime rate of 19.1 per 100,000 is nearly negligible compared to the national average of 2,385.5.

A Safety Standout in Louisiana

Union Parish far exceeds the state safety average of 97.1. With a total crime rate of only 19.1, it is statistically one of the safest places to live in all of Louisiana.

Unmatched Safety in the Region

Compared to other parishes like Tangipahoa, which has a rate of 3156.3, Union Parish is an oasis of calm. The data from four reporting agencies consistently shows very few incidents across the parish.

Crime is Nearly Non-Existent

Violent crime is almost non-existent at 4.8 per 100,000, and property crime is only 14.3. These numbers represent an extraordinarily low risk for residents in their daily lives.

Preserving a Safe Community

Even with such low crime, basic precautions like locking vehicles and homes help maintain this high standard. Community engagement is the best tool for keeping Union Parish as safe as it is today.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Union Parish

via HealthByCounty

Union Parish struggles with life expectancy gap

At 71.1 years, Union Parish residents live 5 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. The parish's 24.4% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average of 17%, indicating persistent health challenges throughout the community.

Below Louisiana averages on key metrics

Union Parish's 71.1-year life expectancy falls 1.4 years below Louisiana's 72.5-year state average. With 24.4% reporting poor or fair health, the parish ranks in the lower tier of Louisiana parishes for population health.

Faces similar challenges as regional peers

Union's 71.1-year life expectancy is among the lowest in the comparison group, trailing healthier parishes like St. Tammany (76.5) and St. Martin (73.3). With only 19 primary care providers per 100,000—the lowest in the region—the parish faces acute access constraints.

Low uninsured rate masks access barriers

Union Parish's 7.4% uninsured rate is the lowest in this comparison and below Louisiana's 8.1% average, suggesting good coverage enrollment. Yet with only 19 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, access to care remains severely constrained despite having insurance.

Confirm coverage and seek available care

Union's insured status is a strength, but residents should verify their coverage is current and explore telehealth options to reach distant providers. Visit Healthcare.gov to confirm your coverage details and find ways to connect with mental health and primary care services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Union Parish

via SchoolsByCounty

Charter Innovation in Union Parish

Union Parish educates 2,914 students across a unique four-school landscape. The system is split between two traditional schools and two charter schools, offering diverse educational pathways.

Superior Graduation Rates for Students

The parish reports a 92.8% graduation rate, easily surpassing the national benchmark of 87% and the state average of 85.4%. The composite school score of 55.0 reflects this success, achieved with $6,994 in per-pupil spending.

A Hub for Charter Education

Charter schools play a major role here, representing 50% of the total school count. D'Arbonne Woods Charter School is the largest single entity in the parish, enrolling 1,003 students in its KG-12 program.

Rural Roots with Large Campus Sizes

Three of the four schools are located in rural areas, yet they maintain a high average size of 729 students. This creates a unique atmosphere where large, centralized campuses like Union Parish High School serve a wide geographic area.

Find Your Home in High-Achieving Union

Union Parish offers a rare combination of rural charm and high academic performance. Consider exploring homes near the popular charter campuses to take advantage of the parish's strong graduation success and unique school choice.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Union Parish

via RiskByCounty

Union Parish faces below-average risk

Union Parish's composite risk score of 49.65 places it below typical U.S. disaster exposure, earning a "Relatively Low" rating. The parish confronts moderate natural hazards compared to national averages.

20% below Louisiana's state average

At 49.65, Union Parish scores 20% lower than Louisiana's 62.37 state average, making it one of the state's safer parishes. Yet it remains more exposed than the exceptional safety of Tensas Parish (14.50).

Safer than most Louisiana parishes

Union Parish (49.65) faces substantially lower risk than St. Landry (88.20), St. Mary (88.93), Tangipahoa (93.32), and most other parishes statewide. Only Tensas Parish (14.50) presents markedly lower exposure.

Tornadoes present primary threat

Tornado risk of 64.60 represents Union Parish's primary hazard, though well below state averages in high-risk parishes. Flood risk of 57.76 and hurricane risk of 64.33 provide secondary concerns.

Standard coverage addresses most needs

Union Parish residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with wind coverage to address moderate tornado risk. While below-average, the parish's 57.76 flood score suggests reviewing flood insurance availability and considering coverage depending on local geography.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Union Parish

via WeatherByCounty

Louisiana’s cooler northern border

Union Parish averages 64.2°F annually, making it one of the coolest parishes in Louisiana, though still much warmer than the national median. It sits on the Arkansas border, influenced by continental air masses.

Below the Louisiana average

At 64.2°F, the parish is nearly three degrees cooler than the state average of 67.0°F. It represents the northern tail of Louisiana’s temperature spectrum.

Cooler and drier than Tensas

Union Parish is over a degree cooler than Tensas Parish (65.5°F) and shares a similar rainfall profile of 58.4 inches. It also experiences slightly more winter activity, including nearly an inch of annual snow.

Hottest highs and coldest lows

The parish endures 83 days of extreme heat, but winters are noticeably colder than the coast, averaging 47.1°F. It is one of the few places in the state with measurable snowfall, averaging 0.9 inches.

Prepare for rare winter snow

Unlike most of Louisiana, residents here should keep a snow shovel handy for the 0.9 inches of annual snowfall. The 83 days of extreme heat still require robust cooling systems and sun protection during the 80.8°F summers.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Union Parish

via SoilByCounty

The Weathered Alfisols of Union

Union Parish soils are acidic with a pH of 5.15, falling below the state average of 5.74. These are classified as Alfisols, which are older, more weathered soils typical of North Louisiana's uplands.

Silt Loam with High Sand Content

The soil is a silt loam with 49.8% sand, 34.6% silt, and 15.6% clay. This high sand percentage makes it easier to till than the heavy clays found in the southern parishes.

Challenges in Organic Retention

Organic matter is low at 1.68%, trailing both state and national averages. The available water capacity of 0.151 in/in is also below the state benchmark, meaning these soils can dry out quickly.

Poorly Drained Group D Soils

Despite the sand content, these soils are classified as poorly drained and belong to hydrologic group D. This indicates a high runoff potential and a layer that restricts water from moving downward easily.

Acid-Loving Plants for Zone 8b

Zone 8b is perfect for camellias and gardenias that love the natural acidity here. Although the soil score is 24.4, your garden will thrive if you supplement it with organic mulch and consistent watering.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Union Parish

via LawnByCounty

Union Parish faces sandy obstacles

Union Parish earns a 28.0 lawn difficulty score, placing it below the state average of 33.8. Located in Zone 8b, it experiences cooler winters than the southern parishes but maintains similar challenges.

Balanced rain and standard heat

With 58.4 inches of rain, Union is closer to the national ideal than many of its southern neighbors. It records 83 extreme heat days, aligning almost perfectly with the Louisiana state average of 84.

Sandy soil with drainage issues

The soil is remarkably sandy at 49.8%, yet it is classified as 'poorly drained' silt loam. The pH of 5.15 is quite acidic, meaning regular lime applications are necessary to keep the grass healthy.

Monitoring abnormally dry conditions

The entire parish is currently classified as abnormally dry, though it has avoided severe drought levels so far. Because the sandy soil loses moisture quickly, adding compost can help improve water retention.

Wait for late March warmth

Zoysia or Centipede grass are ideal for the sandy silt loam found in this parish. Wait until after the last frost on March 25 to ensure your new lawn isn't damaged by a late cold snap.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Union Parish's county score?
Union Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 66.8 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 Union Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
Union Parish ranks #8 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 Union Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in Union Parish is $470, with an effective tax rate of 0.41%. This earns Union Parish a tax score of 93.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Union Parish?
The median household income in Union Parish, Louisiana is $45,743 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Union Parish earns an income score of 8.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Union Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
Union Parish scores 66.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #8 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate Union 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 Union Parish with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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