RANK #234 / 1001 NAT · #7 / 21 LA · POP 158,480
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +33%
Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, is distinguished by its natural setting along the Ouachita River, which divides the twin cities of Monroe and West Monroe. The parish is located in northeastern Louisiana, approximately 100 miles east of Shreveport and 65 miles west of Vicksburg, Mississippi. This area offers a blend of urban and rural living, with a community feel that locals often highlight. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge providing opportunities for birdwatching, fishing, paddling, and hiking among cypress swamps and bottomland hardwoods. The Ouachita River itself is a focal point for activities like bass fishing tournaments and various water sports.
Life in Ouachita Parish offers a balance for families and individuals, with public schools in the Ouachita Parish School System generally well-regarded. Commute options primarily involve personal vehicles, though Monroe Transit System provides fixed-route bus services within Monroe, and West Ouachita Public Transit offers services in western Ouachita Parish. The economy is experiencing new investment, particularly in infrastructure and site development to attract businesses. Efforts are underway to enhance quality of life through investments in public spaces, educational institutions, and cultural projects, alongside initiatives for workforce development that connect skilled workers with local careers.
Ouachita Parish is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -1.2% runs below the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.5x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Lafitte Solar Project
RWE (with PPA from Meta)
|
$100M | Completed |
|
South Monroe Industrial Park (FastSites Program)
Louisiana Economic Development / Grow NELA
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Sterlington Solar Facility
Entergy Louisiana
|
$49M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 76/100, Ouachita Parish sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $54,688 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in LA.
Housing in Ouachita Parish is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $194,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $959/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Ouachita Parish are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs +0.5%. Home values shifted -1.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.04% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Ouachita Parish has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.