District 6
RANK #93 / 996 NAT · #2 / 21 LA · POP 57,674
1YR FORECAST: +0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +36%
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.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Acadia Parish ranks #93 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 91/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $44,977 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
Housing in Acadia Parish is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $145,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $719/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Acadia Parish is losing population (-0.9% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (0.0% employment change). Home values are -4.3% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.99% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Acadia Parish has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.