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Acadia Parish, LA

RANK #783 / 996  ·  POP 57,674  ·  LA

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.4%

Acadia Parish is losing people and economic momentum. This metro faces significant structural headwinds.

[01] Why Acadia Parish?

Acadia Parish, Louisiana, is known as "America's Rice Capital," with Crowley serving as the parish seat and a hub for rice production and milling. Located in southwest Louisiana, it is situated along Interstate 10, between Lafayette and Lake Charles, making it accessible to larger cities. The community maintains a distinct Cajun culture, influenced by French and German heritage, evident in its food, music, and numerous festivals like the International Rice Festival and the Rayne Frog Festival. Outdoor recreation includes opportunities for camping, fishing, hunting, and boating, with a modified subtropical climate enhancing these activities year-round.

Life in Acadia Parish offers a blend of small-town charm and cultural richness. Many families reside here, with most residents owning their homes. The public school system is considered above average. While personal vehicles are the primary mode of transportation, a regional transit system, Ride Acadiana, connects towns within the parish and to Lafayette, offering options for commuting to work or accessing healthcare and educational opportunities. The economy is largely driven by agriculture, particularly rice and crawfish farming, alongside agribusiness. Recent economic developments include investments in low-carbon and sustainable fuel production, and expanded broadband internet access in communities like Crowley and Church Point, supporting local businesses and families.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
5.2x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+2.5%

Below national median

Home Prices
-4.3%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
-1.6

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
17x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 5.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Acadia Parish U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
57,674
-0.9% YoY
Median Household Income
$44,977
Median Home Value
$145,100
-4.34% 12mo
Median Rent
$719
Average Annual Pay
$45,093
+3.0% YoY
Employment
14,380
0.0% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.31
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.99%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$165,000
Days on Market
72
Slower market
Months of Supply
6.9
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
93.8%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
6.7%
Listings w/ Price Drops
25.2%
Building Permits (2024)
144
Single-Family Permits
144

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$1,506M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Clean Refineries Inc. (CRI) Net-Zero Emissions Refinery
Clean Refineries Inc. (CRI)
$1,000M Proposed
Mowata Solar Farm
Lightsource bp
$237M Under Construction
Tournesol Solar Project
NextEra Energy Resources
$159M Proposed
Evangeline Processing Facility Transformation (Net Zero Emissions Technology Refinery)
Green Fuels Operating PC (GFO)
$110M Under Construction

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.5% 46 percentile
Population Growth -0.9% 4 percentile
Income Growth +6.2% 9 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.4% 96 percentile
Home Price Change -4.3% 4 percentile
Price/Rent 17x 21 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Acadia Parish, LA a good place to move to?

Acadia Parish has a Boom Town Index score of 21/100, ranking #783 among 996 U.S. counties. With a median household income of $44,977, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Acadia Parish affordable?

The median home value in Acadia Parish is $145,100 with median rent at $719/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.31, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Acadia Parish growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.9% year-over-year. Job growth: 0.0%. Home values changed -4.3% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Acadia Parish?

Yes — 3.99% of Acadia Parish's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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