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Jefferson Parish, LA

RANK #620 / 996  ·  POP 436,171  ·  LA

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%

Jefferson Parish shows below-average economic momentum. Growth signals are flat or softening.

[01] Why Jefferson Parish?

Grand Isle, Louisiana's only inhabited barrier island, offers miles of beaches and is known for world-class fishing and birding. Jefferson Parish, which includes Grand Isle, stretches from the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain to the Gulf of Mexico, encompassing diverse landscapes of natural ridges, bayous, swamps, lakes, bays, and islands. It sits adjacent to New Orleans, with commute times often under 30 minutes due to well-connected roadways and public transit options, including bus services and a ferry. The parish also features extensive outdoor recreation, including Lafreniere Park on the Eastbank and Bayou Segnette State Park, offering hiking, fishing, boating, and camping.

Life in Jefferson Parish appeals to families and individuals seeking a balance between suburban living and access to urban amenities. The parish is home to the largest public school system in Louisiana. Recent economic development efforts focus on strengthening sectors such as energy, food and beverage, healthcare, and manufacturing. The redevelopment of the former Avondale Shipyard into a global logistics hub is a notable project, attracting investment and aiming for value-added manufacturing. These initiatives, alongside investments in infrastructure, contribute to the parish's economic landscape.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.1x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+1.6%

Below national median

Home Prices
+6.3%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
0.2

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
13x

Below national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 4.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Jefferson Parish U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
436,171
-0.74% YoY
Median Household Income
$63,257
Median Home Value
$231,700
+6.32% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,121
Average Annual Pay
$63,803
+2.9% YoY
Employment
184,764
+1.0% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.273
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.08%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$284,500
Days on Market
70
Slower market
Months of Supply
6.5
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
95.4%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
7.1%
Listings w/ Price Drops
25.3%
Building Permits (2024)
501
Single-Family Permits
459

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

[05] Capital Investment

$1,197M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
UBE C1 Chemicals America Manufacturing Facility
UBE Corporation
$500M Under Construction
Sewerage Capital Improvement Program (SCIP)
Jefferson Parish
$300M Under Construction
Road Bond Program - East Bank
Jefferson Parish
$250M Under Construction
Road Bond Program - West Bank
Jefferson Parish
$147M Under Construction

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.6% 27 percentile
Population Growth -0.7% 6 percentile
Income Growth +7.9% 34 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.3% 30 percentile
Home Price Change +6.3% 95 percentile
Rent Growth -1.3% 4 percentile
Price/Rent 13x 58 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Jefferson Parish has a Boom Town Index score of 38/100, ranking #620 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.0% and a median household income of $63,257, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Jefferson Parish affordable?

The median home value in Jefferson Parish is $231,700 with median rent at $1,121/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.273, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Jefferson Parish growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.0%. Home values changed +6.3% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Jefferson Parish?

Yes — 3.08% of Jefferson Parish's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

McMinn County, TN 48 Montgomery County, VA 48 Bullitt County, KY 48 Cumberland County, NC 48 Licking County, OH 48 Walker County, GA 48 Monroe County, IN 48 Darlington County, SC 48