Union Parish exceeds national average significantly
Union Parish achieves a composite score of 72.7—45% above the national median of 50.0—reflecting strong affordability and low tax burden across the board. The parish demonstrates that rural Louisiana communities can deliver genuine livability through financial efficiency rather than high incomes. This performance positions Union among the nation's most cost-effective places to live.
2 / 5
Above Louisiana average despite low incomes
Union Parish scores 72.7 versus the state average of 70.4, ranking it among Louisiana's top tier despite economic constraints. The parish achieves this through exceptional affordability (cost score 87.4) and minimal taxes (tax score 90.8), compensating for limited income opportunities. Union demonstrates that efficiency can overcome poverty.
3 / 5
Exceptional affordability and tax efficiency
Union boasts a cost score of 87.4 with median home values of just $115,400 and rent at $758/month—genuinely affordable even by rural standards. The tax score of 90.8 and effective rate of 0.407% ensure residents keep what little they earn. Combined, these advantages create genuine financial breathing room for modest-income households.
4 / 5
Low income and moderate health concerns
Median household income of $45,743 and an income score of 13.3 reflect limited earning potential and economic opportunity. Health outcomes at 62.1 are moderate, and the risk score of 50.4 suggests moderate vulnerability to economic shocks. Residents should anticipate stable but limited incomes and basic public services.
5 / 5
Ideal for frugal retirees and modest earners
Union Parish appeals to retirees on fixed incomes, rural workers, and households who prioritize affordability above all else. The combination of rock-bottom housing costs and minimal taxes makes limited income stretch further here than almost anywhere. It's a practical sanctuary for people who've mastered living within tight means.
Union Parish exceeds national average significantly
Union Parish achieves a composite score of 72.7—45% above the national median of 50.0—reflecting strong affordability and low tax burden across the board. The parish demonstrates that rural Louisiana communities can deliver genuine livability through financial efficiency rather than high incomes. This performance positions Union among the nation's most cost-effective places to live.
Above Louisiana average despite low incomes
Union Parish scores 72.7 versus the state average of 70.4, ranking it among Louisiana's top tier despite economic constraints. The parish achieves this through exceptional affordability (cost score 87.4) and minimal taxes (tax score 90.8), compensating for limited income opportunities. Union demonstrates that efficiency can overcome poverty.
Exceptional affordability and tax efficiency
Union boasts a cost score of 87.4 with median home values of just $115,400 and rent at $758/month—genuinely affordable even by rural standards. The tax score of 90.8 and effective rate of 0.407% ensure residents keep what little they earn. Combined, these advantages create genuine financial breathing room for modest-income households.
Low income and moderate health concerns
Median household income of $45,743 and an income score of 13.3 reflect limited earning potential and economic opportunity. Health outcomes at 62.1 are moderate, and the risk score of 50.4 suggests moderate vulnerability to economic shocks. Residents should anticipate stable but limited incomes and basic public services.
Ideal for frugal retirees and modest earners
Union Parish appeals to retirees on fixed incomes, rural workers, and households who prioritize affordability above all else. The combination of rock-bottom housing costs and minimal taxes makes limited income stretch further here than almost anywhere. It's a practical sanctuary for people who've mastered living within tight means.
Score breakdown
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🏛90.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.