CountyScore

Webster Parish

Louisiana · LA

#43 in Louisiana
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Webster Parish, Louisiana

Webster ranks above the middle

Webster Parish's score of 69.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. It represents above-average livability on a national scale.

Below-average for Louisiana

Webster's 69.1 falls short of Louisiana's state average of 70.4, ranking in the lower half of the state's parishes. It faces more livability challenges than most of its state peers.

Ultra-low taxes and housing costs

Webster Parish excels in fiscal efficiency with a tax score of 91.6 and cost score of 86.4, delivering median home values of just $105,600 and rents at $777/month. This is among the most affordable living in the state.

Income and health need strengthening

Webster's income score of 7.8 reflects a median household income of only $37,396—the lowest among these eight parishes and a significant barrier for families needing higher earnings. Health outcomes at 57.0 are also below ideal, and a risk score of 30.5 suggests moderate vulnerability.

Best for ultra-budget households

Webster Parish suits only the most cost-conscious residents willing to accept lower incomes and modest health infrastructure. It's a last-resort option for those with no other affordable housing choices.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.6Cost86.4SafetyComing SoonHealth57SchoolsComing SoonIncome7.8Risk30.5WaterComing Soon
🏛91.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡30.5
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 Webster Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Crawford County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $60,362
Johnson County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $44,808
Routt County
Colorado
69.1
Median income: $104,803
Taylor County
Georgia
69.1
Median income: $41,743
Twin Falls County
Idaho
69.1
Median income: $65,338

Deep Dives

Webster Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Webster Parish

via TaxByCounty

Webster Parish ranks among lowest-tax areas nationally

At 0.381%, Webster Parish's effective tax rate sits firmly in the lowest 25% across the United States, well below the national median effective rate. While American homeowners typically pay around $2,690 in annual property taxes, Webster Parish residents on median-value homes pay just $402.

Below-average taxes for Louisiana parishes

Webster Parish's 0.381% effective rate runs below Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, placing it in the lower half of the state's 64 parishes. It ranks among the more tax-friendly parishes, particularly for low- to moderate-income homeowners.

Competitive tax environment in North Louisiana

Webster Parish's 0.381% rate undercuts nearby Vernon Parish (0.541%) significantly and aligns well with other North Louisiana parishes like Winn (0.315%) and West Carroll (0.204%). The region overall offers one of Louisiana's most affordable tax climates.

Median home tax bill is just $402 annually

On Webster Parish's median home value of $105,600, property owners pay approximately $402 per year in combined parish and local property taxes. After homestead exemptions and deductions, the typical household's tax obligation drops to around $270.

Challenge your assessment if it seems high

Webster Parish homeowners who believe their assessed values exceed comparable properties in their area can file an appeal with the parish assessor. Many residents successfully reduce their tax bills by demonstrating their homes are overvalued relative to recent market sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Webster Parish

via CostByCounty

Webster faces Louisiana's worst burden

Webster Parish has the lowest median household income among Louisiana's eight western parishes at $37,396, forcing renters to spend 24.9% of earnings on rent—the highest ratio statewide. This means a $777 monthly rent consumes roughly $9,324 annually from already-stretched household budgets.

Highest rent burden in state sample

Webster Parish's 24.9% rent-to-income ratio is the worst among all Louisiana parishes examined, nearly 5 percentage points above the state average of 19.5%. Combined with the parish's lowest median income, housing affordability reaches a crisis point for renters.

Webster's income crisis deepens burden

Though Webster Parish rents are moderate at $777 monthly, the parish's $37,396 median income is the lowest regionally, making affordability ratios worse than wealthier neighbors. The median home value of $105,600 offers cheap ownership, but down payments remain inaccessible on such limited incomes.

Housing dominates household budgets

Webster Parish renters spend 24.9% of their $37,396 annual income on the $777 median rent, a ratio that leaves limited funds for food, transportation, and healthcare. Homeowners invest $530 monthly, equal to 17.1% of income—better than renting but still a heavy load for low-wage households.

Webster demands economic opportunity

Webster Parish suits only those relocating with secured, above-median employment, as local wages cannot sustain typical housing costs without hardship. Job-hunting families should investigate regional employers and income growth potential before choosing this economically challenged parish.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Webster Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Webster faces the steepest income challenge

Webster Parish households earn $37,396 annually, approximately 50% below the national median of $74,755. This represents the lowest median income among the eight parishes profiled, placing Webster among America's most economically stressed communities.

Lowest-earning parish in group

Webster Parish median household income of $37,396 falls $17,854 below Louisiana's state average of $55,250, ranking it among the state's poorest parishes. The gap reflects persistent underemployment and limited economic diversification in this rural northwest region.

Economic distress outpaces all peers

Webster Parish trails all comparison parishes, earning $20,885 less than Vernon Parish ($58,281) and $9,378 below even Washington Parish ($42,776). Only its per capita income of $24,115 suggests household size doesn't fully explain the income shortfall.

Housing costs consume dangerous share

Webster Parish residents face a critically high 24.9% rent-to-income ratio, nearing the crisis threshold of 30% that signals housing unaffordability. The median home value of $105,600 represents a 2.8x multiplier against household income—a precarious ratio leaving little margin for maintenance or unexpected repairs.

Prioritize income growth and assistance

Webster Parish residents should first explore public benefits—SNAP, LIHEAP, housing assistance—that directly expand financial capacity. Parallel efforts in career advancement, including community college programs in high-demand fields, offer the best long-term pathway to breaking cycles of low income and housing insecurity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Webster Parish

via HealthByCounty

Well below U.S. life expectancy

Webster Parish residents live to 69.5 years, about 4 years shorter than the U.S. average of 73.5 years. At 28.1%, nearly three in ten residents report poor or fair health—the highest rate among the eight parishes examined.

Bottom tier of Louisiana health outcomes

Webster Parish's 69.5-year life expectancy trails Louisiana's 72.5-year average by 3 years, placing the parish among the state's most challenged communities. The 28.1% poor/fair health rate far exceeds the state baseline, revealing concentrated health adversity.

Weakest health profile in comparison group

Webster Parish underperforms all peer parishes, with 69.5-year life expectancy ranking below even Washington Parish (68.9) in some measures and trailing Vermilion Parish (74.1) by over 4 years. The 28.1% poor/fair health rate stands alone as the region's highest burden.

Highest health burden with decent provider access

Webster Parish has 64 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 255 mental health providers per 100,000—strong numbers suggesting access is less the barrier than underlying health challenges. Only 8.0% lack insurance, yet poor health persists, pointing to poverty, chronic disease, and social determinants.

Coverage plus preventive care matters

With available providers and low uninsured rates, Webster Parish residents should prioritize preventive health screenings and regular primary care visits—the greatest health gains come from early detection. Visit louisiana.gov/dhh to ensure coverage, then work with providers on chronic disease management.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Webster Parish

via RiskByCounty

Webster Parish below national risk average

With a composite risk score of 69.53, Webster Parish falls in the relatively low risk category and sits below the national average. The parish benefits from an inland location that reduces hurricane and flood exposure compared to coastal Louisiana communities.

Lower-risk parish among Louisiana counties

Webster's composite score of 69.53 places it above the state average of 62.37 but in the lower-risk tier of Louisiana parishes. The parish's diverse risk profile—balanced across flood, tornado, earthquake, and hurricane hazards—differs from the coast-dominated exposure seen in high-risk parishes.

Similar risk profile to north Louisiana peers

Webster's risk level closely matches neighboring Morehouse and Ouachita parishes, with tornado risk serving as the common concern across the region. The parish's hurricane risk of 70.92 remains lower than southern Louisiana parishes but higher than western neighbors.

Tornadoes and earthquakes require attention

Webster's tornado risk of 78.21 and earthquake risk of 69.56 present the parish's most distinctive hazard exposures. Flood risk of 64.98 is moderate but notable during heavy precipitation, while hurricane risk of 70.92 reflects the parish's distance from the Gulf.

Balance tornado and earthquake preparedness

Webster homeowners should ensure wind coverage in their homeowners policies and identify or build a safe room for tornado season. While earthquake risk is moderate, securing heavy furniture and reviewing structural soundness provides dual protection across the parish's primary hazards.

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.