Orleans
Louisiana

What stands out

If you had to describe Orleans Parish in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is in the top 2% of American counties (53 per 100,000), homeownership is in the bottom 2% of American counties (49%), and the average temperature is in the top 3% of American counties (71°F). Within Louisiana it ranks 2nd of 64 counties for the overdose death rate.

Where you are

You live in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. 380,408 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -7,468).

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 $51,116 a year, lower than 77% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $67,626. Unemployment runs 4.5%, higher than 81% of American counties. 11% 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 $1,533 a year.

Home

The median home costs $247K, pricier than 55% of American counties, about 3.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,210 a month. Property tax is 0.79% of home value, roughly $2,226 a year on that median home, lower than 56% of American counties. 49% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 62% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 53 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 74.5 years, shorter than 64% of American counties. There are 3,953 active physicians in the county, about 103.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.7 of 5 stars. 9.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 68 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 59% 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 71°F, highs near 79 and lows near 62, warmer than 97% of American counties. About 54 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 39 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 265 Mbps down, faster than 81% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 10 breweries, 27 museums, 1 National Park Service site.