CountyScore

Washington Parish

Louisiana · LA

#40 in Louisiana
69.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Washington Parish, Louisiana

Washington ranks above national median

Washington Parish scores 69.4, well above the national median of 50.0 and in the 69th percentile. This reflects solid livability compared to the broader U.S. landscape.

Slightly below state peers

With a score of 69.4 versus Louisiana's 70.4 average, Washington Parish ranks just below the state middle ground. It places in the lower-middle tier among Louisiana's 64 parishes.

Exceptional value and low taxes

Washington Parish delivers best-in-class affordability with a cost score of 87.4 and tax score of 92.4 (effective rate 0.350%), featuring median home values of $139,400 and rents at $772/month. Low environmental risk at 14.5 adds stability.

Income levels lag significantly

The income score of 11.3 is the parish's weakest dimension, tied to a median household income of just $42,776—among the lowest in the region. This creates economic constraints for higher-earning professionals.

Ideal for frugal rural families

Washington Parish best suits low-income families, retirees, and those prioritizing minimal living costs over career advancement. It offers genuine affordability in a stable, low-risk environment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.4Cost87.4SafetyComing SoonHealth60.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.3Risk14.5WaterComing Soon
🏛92.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14.5
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 Washington Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baxter County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $48,427
Desha County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $36,064
Bleckley County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $53,005
Dawson County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $88,986
Lamar County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $68,457

Deep Dives

Washington Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Washington Parish

via TaxByCounty

Washington Parish taxes far below U.S. averages

Washington Parish's 0.350% effective tax rate places it in the lowest 20% nationally, roughly one-eighth the national median property tax of $2,690. Louisiana's tax-friendly environment extends throughout the state, and Washington Parish exemplifies that advantage.

Among Louisiana's lowest-taxing parishes

Washington Parish's effective rate of 0.350% ranks it in the bottom third of Louisiana's 64 parishes, performing better than the state average of 0.421%. Only the most rural parishes in north-central Louisiana undercut its favorable rate.

Competitive with other Southeast Louisiana parishes

Washington Parish's 0.350% rate slightly undercuts nearby Vernon Parish (0.541%) and aligns closely with Vermilion Parish (0.337%). Among its immediate region, it maintains one of the more tax-friendly environments.

Expect roughly $488 in annual property taxes

On Washington Parish's median home value of $139,400, typical homeowners pay about $488 annually in property taxes. Homestead exemptions and deductions can reduce that effective bill to approximately $372 per year.

You may qualify for a tax reduction through appeal

If your property's assessed value appears inflated compared to recent neighborhood sales, Washington Parish allows assessment appeals through its assessor's office. Many homeowners discover they've been overassessed and recover hundreds of dollars through successful appeals.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Washington Parish

via CostByCounty

Washington faces affordability challenges

Washington Parish renters dedicate 21.7% of household income to rent, stretching limited budgets in a county where median income stands at just $42,776—43% below the national average. The median rent of $772 monthly doesn't ease the burden given the parish's lower earning power.

Least affordable in Louisiana's west

Washington Parish ranks among Louisiana's least affordable rental markets, with a 21.7% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average of 19.5% by over 2 percentage points. Low incomes amplify the housing squeeze in this economically challenged parish.

Washington rents lowest but income's lower

Washington Parish offers the lowest median rent at $772 among regional peers, but its median household income of $42,776 is also lowest, making housing affordability ratios worse than counties with higher wages. The median home value of $139,400 remains accessible for those who can save a down payment.

Limited income leaves little cushion

Washington Parish residents allocate 21.7% of their $42,776 annual income to the $772 median rent, consuming roughly $9,300 yearly and straining household budgets. Homeownership is more affordable at the $469 monthly cost level, representing 13.2% of income, but down payment barriers remain high.

Washington needs income growth

Washington Parish works best for remote workers or transferred professionals bringing higher salaries to the region, as local incomes make typical housing costs a burden. The low home values present opportunity, but overall affordability improves significantly when household income exceeds the parish median.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Washington Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Washington faces significant income gap

Washington Parish households earn $42,776 annually, putting them 43% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This substantial gap ranks the parish among the nation's lower-income areas, reflecting persistent economic challenges in rural northeast Louisiana.

Below Louisiana's state average

Washington Parish median income of $42,776 falls nearly $12,500 below Louisiana's state average of $55,250, placing it among the 25% lowest-earning parishes statewide. The gap underscores concentrated poverty in this rural region.

Struggling relative to surrounding areas

Washington Parish's $42,776 median income trails Vernon Parish ($58,281) by over $15,000 and significantly lags Vermilion Parish ($57,537). Only Webster Parish ($37,396) earns less among the regional comparison group, highlighting Washington's economic distress.

Housing costs strain household budgets

Washington Parish's 21.7% rent-to-income ratio approaches affordability crisis levels, leaving limited monthly flexibility for other essential expenses. A median home value of $139,400 may seem affordable in absolute terms, but relative to $42,776 household income, it represents a 3.3x multiplier—high risk for low-income homebuyers.

Micro-steps toward financial stability

Washington Parish residents benefit most from focusing on income growth—seeking skill development, trade certifications, or better-paying regional employment. Even modest increases in household earnings unlock capacity for emergency savings; start with automatic transfers of $25–50 monthly to build resilience against unexpected costs.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Washington Parish

via HealthByCounty

Significant gap below national average

Washington Parish residents live to just 68.9 years—4.6 years below the U.S. life expectancy of 73.5 years. Nearly one in four (24.5%) report being in poor or fair health, reflecting one of Louisiana's most strained health environments.

Louisiana's lower-ranking parish

At 68.9 years, Washington Parish falls 3.6 years below Louisiana's 72.5-year average, ranking among the state's lowest life expectancies. The 24.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds state norms, signaling compounded health stress.

Challenged compared to surrounding areas

Washington Parish's 68.9-year life expectancy significantly trails Vermilion Parish (74.1) and Vernon Parish (73.0), making it the weakest performer in the regional group. The 24.5% poor/fair health rate is the highest among neighboring parishes.

Fewest primary care providers in region

Washington Parish struggles with healthcare access, offering only 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the regional comparison. On the positive side, 7.4% uninsured and 163 mental health providers per 100,000 provide some support, but primary care scarcity remains a critical barrier.

Insurance critical with limited providers

In a parish where primary care providers are extremely scarce, maintaining active health insurance is essential to secure access before waiting lists grow. Check eligibility for Louisiana Medicaid or marketplace subsidies at louisiana.gov/dhh—every covered resident strengthens the patient base for care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Washington Parish

via RiskByCounty

Washington ranks among nation's riskiest

With a composite risk score of 85.53, Washington Parish faces relatively moderate risk that exceeds most American counties. The parish's hurricane risk score of 95.91 places it among the most vulnerable communities in the nation to major tropical storms.

Louisiana's highest-risk parish overall

Washington Parish leads all 64 Louisiana parishes with a composite risk score of 85.53, far exceeding the state average of 62.37. The parish sits at the intersection of multiple hazard zones—coastal hurricane exposure, significant flood vulnerability, and elevated wildfire and tornado risk.

Significantly riskier than east-bank peers

Washington's risk profile substantially exceeds neighboring St. Tammany and St. Helena parishes, primarily due to elevated hurricane (95.91) and wildfire (80.03) scores. The parish's eastern location exposes it to Gulf storm surge paths that neighboring parishes experience less intensely.

Hurricanes and wildfires pose dual threats

Washington faces critical hurricane risk (95.91) and elevated wildfire risk (80.03), creating complex preparation challenges across two distinct seasons. Flood risk of 78.98 compounds exposure during storm events, and tornado risk of 71.63 requires year-round vigilance.

Multi-layered insurance strategy vital

Washington residents need comprehensive hurricane preparation including structural reinforcement and separate flood insurance, given scores exceeding 78 for both hazards. Review your homeowners policy annually, maintain emergency supplies, and create an evacuation plan—this parish faces the state's most complex disaster landscape.

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.