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Lafourche Parish, LA

RANK #922 / 996  ·  POP 97,220  ·  LA

PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.0%

Lafourche Parish ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Lafourche Parish?

Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, often called "The Longest Street in America," is defined by Bayou Lafourche, which stretches 100 miles from the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. This waterway shaped early settlement patterns, with homes lining its banks for miles, creating a distinctive linear community. Located southwest of New Orleans, about 60 miles away, and 65 miles south of Baton Rouge, the parish offers a rural feel with access to larger cities. Commutes vary, with many residents traveling to neighboring Terrebonne Parish for work. Outdoor recreation is prominent, featuring swamp tours, fishing, and birdwatching at sites like the Lockport Elevated Boardwalk.

Life in Lafourche Parish centers around its Cajun culture and natural surroundings. The public school system, headquartered in Thibodaux, serves over 14,000 students across its elementary, middle, and high schools. The economy is deeply tied to its natural resources and strategic location. Major investment flows into the energy sector, particularly at Port Fourchon, which serves as a vital hub for Gulf of Mexico oil production. Additionally, the parish maintains a strong agricultural presence, ranking highly in sugar, citrus, and beef production, alongside a significant seafood industry.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
3.5x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+2.7%

Below national median

Home Prices
-1.9%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
0.1

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
10x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Lafourche Parish U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
97,220
-0.47% YoY
Median Household Income
$61,381
Median Home Value
$177,200
-1.87% 12mo
Median Rent
$873
Average Annual Pay
$67,112
+3.5% YoY
Employment
34,853
+1.1% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3464
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.11%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$219,900
Days on Market
76
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.9
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.6%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
14.3%
Listings w/ Price Drops
27.0%
Building Permits (2024)
323
Single-Family Permits
315

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

[05] Capital Investment

$25,200M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Argent LNG Export Facility
Argent LNG
$25,000M Planned
Diamond Offshore Wind Farm
Diamond Offshore Wind (Mitsubishi subsidiary)
$50M Planned
Port Fourchon Wind Turbine
Gulf Wind Technology
$50M Under Construction
Thibodaux Solar Project (Sunbeam 2)
D.E. Shaw Investments
$50M Proposed
McLeod Business Park Development
Lafourche Parish Government
$50M Planned

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.7% 50 percentile
Population Growth -0.5% 11 percentile
Income Growth +4.5% 2 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.6% 20 percentile
Home Price Change -1.9% 15 percentile
Rent Growth +0.9% 18 percentile
Price/Rent 10x 91 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lafourche Parish has a Boom Town Index score of 7/100, ranking #922 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.1% and a median household income of $61,381, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Lafourche Parish affordable?

The median home value in Lafourche Parish is $177,200 with median rent at $873/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3464, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Lafourche Parish growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.1%. Home values changed -1.9% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Lafourche Parish?

Yes — 3.11% of Lafourche 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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