RANK #941 / 996 · POP 133,953 · LA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.5%
Ponchatoula, known as the "Strawberry Capital of the World," offers a distinctive introduction to Tangipahoa Parish, located in southeastern Louisiana. The parish sits at the crossroads of Interstates 55 and 12, approximately 49 miles from New Orleans and 42 miles from Baton Rouge, making it a commuter-friendly area. The community blends city conveniences with a relaxed pace, featuring historic downtowns and natural scenery. Outdoor recreation opportunities include parks like Chappapeela Sports Park, which offers numerous fields and walking trails, and access to the Tangipahoa River for activities like tubing.
Life in Tangipahoa Parish often involves a mix of local employment and commutes to nearby cities. Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond contributes to the cultural landscape and provides educational resources. The Tangipahoa Parish School System offers various educational options, including magnet and International Baccalaureate programs. Recent economic developments show investment in sectors like manufacturing and distribution, attracting new businesses to the area. Public transportation, including fixed bus routes and demand-response services, is available in towns like Hammond, Ponchatoula, and Independence.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Tangipahoa Parish Riverine Flood Risk Reduction (Nonstructural National Economic Development Plan)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
|
$384M | Proposed |
|
Amite Solar Energy Center
NextEra Energy Resources (in partnership with DEMCO)
|
$160M | Completed |
|
Niagara Bottling Production Facility
Niagara Bottling
|
$160M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Tangipahoa Parish has a Boom Town Index score of 6/100, ranking #941 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $55,274, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Tangipahoa Parish is $193,300 with median rent at $930/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2859, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed -0.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.76% of Tangipahoa Parish's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.