St. James
Louisiana

What stands out

Three things set St. James Parish apart from the other 3,142 counties: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), the average temperature is in the top 4% of American counties (70°F), and homeownership is in the top 4% of American counties (84%). Within Louisiana it ranks 4th of 64 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in St. James Parish, Louisiana. 20,090 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -170).

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 $62,946 a year, higher than 57% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $78,993. Unemployment runs 4.6%, higher than 83% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

Louisiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,888 a year.

Home

The median home costs $212K, cheaper than 59% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $852 a month. Property tax is 0.52% of home value, roughly $970 a year on that median home, lower than 85% of American counties. 84% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 67% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 75.1 years, shorter than 58% of American counties. There are 15 active physicians in the county, about 7.5 per 10,000 people. 5.8% 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 4 points. 78% 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 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 77 out of 100, riskier than 77% of American counties; the county has had 44 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 206 Mbps down, faster than 53% of American counties. There are 0 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.