West Carroll
Louisiana

What stands out

Against every county in America, West Carroll Parish is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is among the lowest in America (0.20%), the share working from home is among the lowest in America (1%), and population growth is in the bottom 4% of American counties (-1.7% a year). Within Louisiana it ranks 3rd of 64 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in West Carroll Parish, Louisiana. 9,800 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -120).

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 $45,035 a year, lower than 88% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $42,812. Unemployment runs 5.5%, higher than 93% of American counties. 1% of workers work from home.

Louisiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,351 a year.

Home

The median home costs $131K, cheaper than 91% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $636 a month. Property tax is 0.20% of home value, roughly $199 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 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 73.1 years, shorter than 79% of American counties. There are 6 active physicians in the county, about 6.1 per 10,000 people. 9.4% 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 71 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 60% 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 66°F, highs near 77 and lows near 56, warmer than 86% of American counties. About 57 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 32 out of 100, safer than 68% of American counties; the county has had 31 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 152 Mbps down, slower than 70% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1 National Park Service site.