District 8
RANK #587 / 996 NAT · #15 / 21 LA · POP 82,574
1YR FORECAST: -0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
St. Landry Parish, located just north of Lafayette, Louisiana, is known for its rich Cajun and Creole heritage, with Opelousas recognized as the Zydeco Music Capital of the World. The parish offers a blend of cultural experiences, from lively music festivals to historic towns like Washington, where 80% of the town is on the National Register of Historic Places. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the Atchafalaya River Basin, paddle the Bayou Teche, or go birdwatching in wildlife management areas. Commute options within the parish and to nearby Lafayette are available via major highways like I-49 and US-190.
Life in St. Landry Parish offers a balance of community and access to outdoor activities. The St. Landry Parish School Board oversees 34 schools, including elementary, junior high, and high schools, with options like the French Immersion charter elementary school, École Saint-Landry. The economy is diverse, with agriculture playing a significant role, growing nearly every major crop in the state. Recent economic developments include efforts to attract manufacturing firms and investments in industrial and logistics sectors, leveraging the parish's transportation infrastructure.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.0x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Walmart Distribution Center Modernization
Walmart
|
$330M | Under Construction |
|
West Fork Wind Project
AES and Cordillera (potential developers)
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Prairie Ronde Solar Project
Lightsource bp
|
$170M | Operating |
|
St. Landry Solar Project
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$150M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
St. Landry Parish scores 41/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#587). Median household income is $44,478 and job growth is running at -1.0%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in St. Landry Parish is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $148,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $739/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
St. Landry Parish is losing population (-0.5% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (-1.0% employment change). Home values are -9.2% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
Not particularly — 1.98% of St. Landry Parish's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.
Home values fell -9.2% over the past year in St. Landry Parish, bringing the median down to $148,400. A drop of that magnitude usually reflects weakening demand or population outflow — worth watching if you're considering buying here.