De Soto
Louisiana

What stands out

Against every county in America, De Soto Parish is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is among the lowest in America (0.28%), the typical two-bedroom rent is in the bottom 2% of American counties ($473 a month), and the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 2% of American counties (0.3 per 1,000). Within Louisiana it ranks 9th of 64 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in De Soto Parish, Louisiana. 26,821 people live here with you. The population grew 1.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +281).

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 $49,807 a year, lower than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $66,608. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 65% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 25 minutes each way.

Louisiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,494 a year.

Home

The median home costs $203K, cheaper than 62% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $473 a month. Property tax is 0.28% of home value, roughly $408 a year on that median home, lower than almost every county in America. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.7 per 1,000 residents, higher than 88% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 15 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.1 years, shorter than 69% of American counties. There are 15 active physicians in the county, about 5.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 8.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 25 points. 71% 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 68°F, highs near 79 and lows near 57, warmer than 92% of American counties. About 51 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 51 out of 100, riskier than 52% of American counties; the county has had 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 147 Mbps down, slower than 72% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.