Calcasieu
Louisiana

What stands out

Against every county in America, Calcasieu Parish is unusual in three ways: natural-hazard risk is in the top 3% of American counties (97 of 100), the average temperature is in the top 4% of American counties (70°F), and the property tax rate is in the bottom 8% of American counties (0.45%). Within Louisiana it ranks 6th of 64 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. 210,770 people live here with you. The population grew 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +650).

Louisiana moved to a flat 3% income tax in 2025 and has one of the highest combined sales-tax rates in the nation. The homestead exemption removes the first $75,000 of home value from property tax, which keeps property bills low. Hurricane and flood exposure drives insurance costs across the southern parishes, and several insurers have left the state since 2020.

Money

The typical household here brings in $64,370 a year, higher than 61% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $61,711. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 54% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

Louisiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,931 a year.

Home

The median home costs $201K, cheaper than 62% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,035 a month. Property tax is 0.45% of home value, roughly $886 a year on that median home, lower than 92% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 58% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 29 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 73.3 years, shorter than 77% of American counties. There are 460 active physicians in the county, about 21.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.3 of 5 stars. 8.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 35 points. 55% of eligible voters turned out. Under Louisiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 70°F, highs near 80 and lows near 60, warmer than 96% of American counties. About 52 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 97 out of 100, riskier than 97% of American counties; the county has had 42 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 275 Mbps down, faster than 86% of American counties. There are 10 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 4 museums.