District 3
RANK #777 / 996 NAT · #19 / 21 LA · POP 97,220
1YR FORECAST: -0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
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.
Below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 21/100, Lafourche Parish faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $61,381 combined with job growth of +1.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Lafourche Parish is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $177,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.35, with rents averaging $873/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Lafourche Parish are hiring — job growth of +1.1% — but the population is close to flat (-0.5% YoY). Home values moved -1.9% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.11% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lafourche Parish has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.