West Carroll Parish's score of 77.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 77th percentile nationally. This is the highest score among the eight parishes profiled.
2 / 5
Best in class for Louisiana
West Carroll leads Louisiana at 77.0 versus the state average of 70.4, ranking among the very top parishes statewide. It's a standout livability choice in Louisiana.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and rock-bottom housing
West Carroll delivers exceptional value with the lowest tax score nationally at 96.5 (effective rate of 0.204%) and a cost score of 89.3. Median home values of $97,600 and rents at just $692/month make it among the nation's most affordable places to live.
4 / 5
Limited earning potential
The income score of 15.1 reflects a median household income of $48,514, indicating limited high-wage opportunities. Health outcomes at 59.3 are modest compared to stronger parishes.
5 / 5
Winner for penny-pinching retirees
West Carroll Parish is unbeaten for those seeking maximum affordability with rock-bottom taxes and housing costs. It's ideal for fixed-income retirees and those prioritizing savings over career growth.
West Carroll Parish's score of 77.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 77th percentile nationally. This is the highest score among the eight parishes profiled.
Best in class for Louisiana
West Carroll leads Louisiana at 77.0 versus the state average of 70.4, ranking among the very top parishes statewide. It's a standout livability choice in Louisiana.
Lowest taxes and rock-bottom housing
West Carroll delivers exceptional value with the lowest tax score nationally at 96.5 (effective rate of 0.204%) and a cost score of 89.3. Median home values of $97,600 and rents at just $692/month make it among the nation's most affordable places to live.
Limited earning potential
The income score of 15.1 reflects a median household income of $48,514, indicating limited high-wage opportunities. Health outcomes at 59.3 are modest compared to stronger parishes.
Winner for penny-pinching retirees
West Carroll Parish is unbeaten for those seeking maximum affordability with rock-bottom taxes and housing costs. It's ideal for fixed-income retirees and those prioritizing savings over career growth.
Score breakdown
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🏛96.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
West Carroll Parish has the nation's lowest tax rates
West Carroll Parish's 0.204% effective tax rate ranks it in the absolute bottom 5% nationally, making it one of America's lowest-taxed areas. On a median home value of $97,600, homeowners pay just $199 annually in property taxes—less than 10% of the national median tax bill.
The lowest-taxing parish in Louisiana
West Carroll Parish's 0.204% effective rate is the lowest in Louisiana by a significant margin, less than half the state's average of 0.421%. This ultra-low rate makes West Carroll an exceptional value for property owners seeking minimal tax burdens.
Far lower taxes than any surrounding parish
West Carroll's 0.204% rate undercuts every neighboring parish substantially—Vernon (0.541%), Webster (0.381%), and Winn (0.315%) all exceed it by factors of 1.5 to 2.7 times. It stands alone as the region's most tax-friendly jurisdiction.
Pay just $199 annually on median-value home
On West Carroll's median home value of $97,600, property owners pay approximately $199 per year in all property taxes combined. This represents the lowest median tax bill among the eight-parish region and qualifies as exceptional nationally.
Even in West Carroll, assessments merit review
Although West Carroll Parish maintains exceptionally low overall tax rates, homeowners should still verify their assessed values against recent comparable sales. An appeal is worthwhile if your property's assessed value diverges significantly from actual market conditions.
West Carroll Parish renters spend 17.1% of their $48,514 median income on rent, beating both the national 30% affordability ceiling and maintaining reasonable cost-to-income ratios. The modest median rent of $692 monthly makes this parish one of the country's more affordable rental markets.
Below average rent burden statewide
West Carroll Parish's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio undercuts Louisiana's state average of 19.5%, placing the parish among the more affordable places to rent across the state. The $692 median rent is the lowest in the eight-parish sample.
West Carroll offers lowest rents
West Carroll Parish's $692 median rent is the lowest among all peers examined, and the 17.1% rent-to-income ratio remains competitive despite median income of $48,514. The median home value of $97,600 represents the region's cheapest ownership option.
Affordable rents, affordable homes
West Carroll renters allocate just 17.1% of their $48,514 annual income to the $692 median rent, leaving roughly $40,200 for other costs. Homeowners benefit from $445 monthly costs representing just 11.0% of income, making ownership highly accessible.
Budget-conscious families should consider
West Carroll Parish delivers exceptional value for renters and homebuyers on moderate incomes, with the region's lowest rents and lowest home prices. Families prioritizing affordability and simplicity will find West Carroll among Louisiana's best housing markets.
West Carroll Parish households earn $48,514 annually, approximately 35% below the national median of $74,755. This income gap reflects the rural northeast Louisiana parish's limited economic diversity and manufacturing base.
Modestly below Louisiana average
West Carroll Parish median household income of $48,514 falls $6,736 below Louisiana's state average of $55,250, placing it in the lower-middle tier among state parishes. The shortfall, while notable, remains less severe than several neighboring rural parishes.
Mid-tier among regional group
West Carroll Parish ($48,514) outearns Washington Parish ($42,776) and Webster Parish ($37,396), but trails Vernon Parish ($58,281) and Vermilion Parish ($57,537). Its position reflects modest but struggling rural agriculture and timber economies.
Rent-to-income ratio manageable
West Carroll Parish maintains a reasonable 17.1% rent-to-income ratio, comfortably below affordability concerns. The median home value of $97,600 represents a 2.0x household income multiplier—among the most accessible in the region for homebuyers.
Build on housing advantage
West Carroll's low housing costs relative to income create breathing room for savings—prioritize building 3-6 months of emergency reserves before other investments. Once stabilized, explore employer retirement plans and consider low-risk vehicles like high-yield savings or bonds to compound modest but steady wealth accumulation.
West Carroll Parish residents live to 71.7 years, nearly 2 years below the U.S. average of 73.5 years. More than one in four (26.5%) report poor or fair health, indicating a community facing notable health stress.
Below Louisiana average
At 71.7 years, West Carroll Parish falls 0.8 years below Louisiana's 72.5-year average, ranking in the lower half of the state's parishes. The 26.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state baseline, signaling concentrated health challenges.
Lower-tier performer regionally
West Carroll Parish (71.7 years) ranks below Vermilion Parish (74.1) and Vernon Parish (73.0), though slightly above Washington Parish (68.9). At 26.5% poor/fair health, it's among the region's more burdened communities.
Highest uninsured rate with decent providers
West Carroll Parish has the highest uninsured rate among the eight parishes at 9.0%—0.9 percentage points above the state average. With 52 primary care providers and 64 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, access exists, but uninsured residents may hesitate to seek care.
Enrollment critical in West Carroll
With the region's highest uninsured rate, West Carroll Parish residents should prioritize health insurance enrollment through louisiana.gov/dhh or local navigators. Even modest coverage opens doors to preventive care and chronic disease management that can reverse local health trends.
With a composite risk score of 15.39 and very low risk rating, West Carroll Parish ranks among the safest parishes in America. The parish's minimal exposure to major natural disasters makes it exceptional even compared to most national communities.
Louisiana's lowest-risk parish
West Carroll's composite score of 15.39 is the lowest among all 64 Louisiana parishes, sitting dramatically below the state average of 62.37. The parish enjoys protection from its inland, elevated position far from coastal hazards.
Safest in northeast Louisiana
West Carroll's risk profile is substantially lower than neighboring Morehouse and Union parishes, making it the safest community in the region. The parish's flood risk of 9.00 is exceptionally low, and its wildfire risk of 23.66 remains minimal compared to state norms.
Minimal disaster exposure overall
West Carroll's primary concerns are earthquake risk (55.95) and hurricane risk (62.83), though both remain well below statewide averages. Flood risk of 9.00 is exceptionally low, and tornado risk of 42.14 presents minimal concern even by national standards.
Standard insurance typically sufficient
West Carroll residents enjoy one of Louisiana's lowest-risk disaster profiles and can rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized additions. Maintaining a basic emergency kit and weather awareness provides ample protection in this unusually safe parish.