District 9
RANK #326 / 996 NAT · #8 / 21 LA · POP 51,856
1YR FORECAST: +0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, often called "Where Cajun Began," is deeply rooted in Cajun and Creole culture, evident in its music, cuisine, and historic towns like St. Martinville, the parish seat, and Breaux Bridge, known as the "Crawfish Capital of the World." Located in the Acadiana region, the parish is about two hours west of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The community offers a blend of rural tranquility and cultural activity, with the Atchafalaya Basin, Bayou Teche, and Lake Martin providing opportunities for fishing, hiking, and swamp tours. Life in St. Martin Parish is characterized by a strong sense of local heritage and a family-oriented atmosphere. The public school system includes 15 schools, with some elementary schools like Stephensville and Parks Primary performing above state averages. The local economy is supported by agriculture and commerce, with efforts to attract new businesses through initiatives like the Louisiana Economic Development Certified Sites program. The parish also benefits from its location near major interstates, offering access to regional airports and a workforce training program.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 67/100, St. Martin Parish sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +2.9%, and median household income stands at $50,806 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in LA.
By national standards, St. Martin Parish is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $139,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $773/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
It's a mixed picture in St. Martin Parish. The population is declining (-0.7% YoY), but employers are actually hiring — job growth is at +2.9%. Home values moved +2.1% in the last year. That tension between shrinking population and expanding employment often signals a county in transition.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.37% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests St. Martin Parish has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.