CountyScore

Vernon Parish

Louisiana · LA

#39 in Louisiana
69.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Vernon Parish, Louisiana

Vernon ranks firmly above average

Vernon Parish's score of 69.6 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, landing it in the 69th percentile nationally. This demonstrates solid livability by nationwide standards.

Just below state average

Vernon Parish scores 69.6 against Louisiana's average of 70.4, placing it comfortably mid-range among the state's parishes. It ranks in the middle tier of Louisiana county livability.

Low taxes and moderate affordability

Vernon shines with a tax score of 87.1 (effective rate of 0.541%) and cost score of 80.5, offering median home values of $143,500 and manageable rents at $1,038/month. Health outcomes at 66.3 indicate above-average wellness.

Income and risk need attention

The income score of 21.4 reflects a median household income of $58,281, limiting economic opportunity for growth-focused families. A risk score of 31.1 suggests moderate environmental or economic vulnerability.

Suitable for stable working families

Vernon Parish appeals to families prioritizing affordability and tax efficiency over maximum earnings potential. It's best for those seeking stable employment and modest, predictable living costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.1Cost80.5SafetyComing SoonHealth66.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.4Risk31.1WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡31.1
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 Vernon Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Ketchikan Gateway Borough
Alaska
69.6
Median income: $89,155
Lawrence County
Arkansas
69.6
Median income: $44,164
Logan County
Colorado
69.6
Median income: $55,074
Jasper County
Georgia
69.6
Median income: $59,574
Pickens County
Georgia
69.6
Median income: $75,293

Deep Dives

Vernon Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Vernon Parish

via TaxByCounty

Vernon Parish taxes at roughly half the national average

Vernon Parish's effective tax rate of 0.541% remains far below the national median effective rate, putting it in the lowest 25% across the country. While the national median property tax is $2,690, Vernon Parish homeowners on median-value homes pay just $776—less than a third.

Mid-range tax burden among Louisiana parishes

Vernon Parish's effective rate of 0.541% sits above Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, placing it in the middle-to-upper half of the state's parishes. It ranks higher than low-tax rural parishes but lower than some urban and industrial-heavy parishes.

Higher taxes than most surrounding parishes

Vernon Parish's 0.541% rate exceeds nearby Vermilion (0.337%), Washington (0.350%), and Winn parishes (0.315%), making it one of the more heavily taxed parishes in its region. Only West Feliciana Parish among nearby counties approaches or exceeds Vernon's tax burden.

Median annual tax is $776 on typical home

On Vernon Parish's median home value of $143,500, property owners pay approximately $776 annually in property taxes. After accounting for mortgage interest deductions and homestead exemptions, the typical tax liability drops to around $305 per year.

Appeal your assessment if value seems inflated

Vernon Parish residents who question whether their home's assessed value reflects current market conditions have the right to file an assessment appeal. The parish assessor's office can review comparable sales data to determine if your property has been overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Vernon Parish

via CostByCounty

Vernon rents stretch household budgets

Renters in Vernon Parish spend 21.4% of their income on rent, exceeding the 30% affordability threshold but edging above the national comfort zone. With median household income at $58,281 and median rent at $1,038 monthly, housing costs claim a significant portion of earnings.

Above state average for affordability

Vernon Parish's 21.4% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Louisiana's 19.5% state average, placing it among the less affordable rental markets statewide. The median rent of $1,038 is $165 higher than the state average, a notable gap for working families.

Vernon rents higher than Vermilion

Vernon Parish renters pay substantially more than neighbors in Vermilion Parish—$1,038 versus $802 monthly, a difference of $236 annually per household. Despite higher rents, Vernon's median home value of $143,500 undercuts Vermilion's $159,700.

Rent takes bigger share of income

The $1,038 median rent consumes 21.4% of Vernon's $58,281 annual household income, above the national comfort threshold but manageable for dual-income households. Homeowners invest $593 monthly, representing 12.2% of income for mortgage and ownership costs.

Vernon offers trade-offs for movers

Vernon Parish suits renters with moderate incomes willing to dedicate slightly more to housing costs in exchange for lower home prices than comparable parishes. Homebuyers benefit from median values under $144,000, making ownership accessible despite rental pressures.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Vernon Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Vernon trails national income benchmark

Vernon Parish households earn $58,281 annually, about 22% below the national median of $74,755. The parish sits in the lower-income tier nationally, reflecting challenges common to rural military-dependent communities in Louisiana.

Slightly above Louisiana average

Vernon Parish median household income of $58,281 exceeds Louisiana's state average of $55,250 by $3,031, placing it in the upper-middle tier among the state's parishes. This modest advantage reflects the presence of Fort Polk and related economic activity.

Middle ground among regional peers

Vernon Parish ($58,281) edges out Vermilion Parish ($57,537) and substantially outpaces Washington Parish ($42,776) and Webster Parish ($37,396). Its position reflects the parish's military-anchored economic base relative to purely agricultural neighbors.

Rising housing cost pressures here

Vernon Parish faces a concerning 21.4% rent-to-income ratio, approaching the national affordability threshold of 30%. While median home values of $143,500 remain relatively affordable, residents should monitor rental market increases that could strain household budgets.

Strategic saving shields against uncertainty

Military-connected households in Vernon Parish benefit from structured benefits; maximize TSP contributions and transition planning if separating from service. Building a 6-month emergency fund becomes especially important given housing cost pressures and economic dependence on a single anchor employer.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Vernon Parish

via HealthByCounty

Slightly below national life expectancy

Vernon Parish residents live to 73.0 years, just 0.5 years below the U.S. average of 73.5 years. One in five residents (21.3%) report being in poor or fair health, indicating a community navigating significant health challenges.

About even with Louisiana

At 73.0 years, Vernon's life expectancy sits 0.5 years below Louisiana's 72.5-year state average, placing the parish near the middle of the state's health rankings. The 21.3% poor/fair health rate is below the state's typical burden.

Mid-range among peers

Vernon Parish (73.0 years) falls between Vermilion Parish (74.1) and Washington Parish (68.9) in life expectancy. With a 7.6% uninsured rate, Vernon performs slightly better than the state average of 8.1%.

Limited primary care, strong mental health

Vernon Parish has only 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below the state's needs—but compensates with 205 mental health providers per 100,000, one of the strongest mental health workforces in the region. Just 7.6% of residents lack insurance, easing access barriers for some.

Secure coverage to ensure access

With primary care providers in short supply, every resident should maintain active health insurance to maximize access when appointments are limited. Visit louisiana.gov/dhh to explore marketplace plans or Medicaid eligibility this open enrollment season.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Vernon Parish

via RiskByCounty

Vernon Parish carries moderate national risk

Vernon's composite risk score of 68.89 places it in the relatively low risk category, positioning it close to the national average despite Louisiana's elevated statewide risk profile. The parish faces balanced exposure across multiple hazard types rather than concentration in a single threat.

Mid-range risk within Louisiana

Vernon Parish ranks near the state median among Louisiana's 64 parishes with a composite score of 68.89, sitting above the state average of 62.37. The parish avoids the extreme vulnerability of coastal parishes but exceeds the protection of inland western parishes.

Higher tornado risk than adjacent parishes

Vernon's tornado risk score of 85.97 significantly exceeds those of nearby Rapides and Sabine parishes, making severe thunderstorms a particular concern. However, its hurricane risk of 87.03 remains lower than coastal neighbors, reflecting its inland position.

Tornadoes and wildfires lead threats

Vernon faces elevated tornado risk (85.97) and wildfire risk (79.80), making spring and summer severe weather periods critical for preparedness. Flooding risk of 66.57 also warrants attention, particularly during heavy precipitation events.

Prepare for multiple threat types

With elevated tornado and wildfire risks, Vernon residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes wind coverage and review property defensibility around structures. Consider a safe room or storm shelter for tornado season, and maintain defensible space around your home during wildfire season.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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