RANK #467 / 1001 NAT · #13 / 21 LA · POP 136,738
1YR FORECAST: -1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
Ponchatoula, known as the "Strawberry Capital of the World," offers a distinctive introduction to Tangipahoa Parish, located in southeastern Louisiana. The parish sits at the crossroads of Interstates 55 and 12, approximately 49 miles from New Orleans and 42 miles from Baton Rouge, making it a commuter-friendly area. The community blends city conveniences with a relaxed pace, featuring historic downtowns and natural scenery. Outdoor recreation opportunities include parks like Chappapeela Sports Park, which offers numerous fields and walking trails, and access to the Tangipahoa River for activities like tubing.
Life in Tangipahoa Parish often involves a mix of local employment and commutes to nearby cities. Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond contributes to the cultural landscape and provides educational resources. The Tangipahoa Parish School System offers various educational options, including magnet and International Baccalaureate programs. Recent economic developments show investment in sectors like manufacturing and distribution, attracting new businesses to the area. Public transportation, including fixed bus routes and demand-response services, is available in towns like Hammond, Ponchatoula, and Independence.
Tangipahoa Parish is one of 11 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.4% runs above the profile's typical -1.1%.
See all 11 Persistent Housing Weakness counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 12.6x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Tangipahoa Parish Riverine Flood Risk Reduction (Nonstructural National Economic Development Plan)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
|
$384M | Proposed |
|
Amite Solar Energy Center
NextEra Energy Resources (in partnership with DEMCO)
|
$160M | Completed |
|
Niagara Bottling Production Facility
Niagara Bottling
|
$160M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Tangipahoa Parish scores 53/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#467). Median household income is $56,760 and job growth is running at -0.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Tangipahoa Parish is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $212,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,003/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Tangipahoa Parish's population is growing — up +1.1% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.1%). Home values shifted +0.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.3% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Tangipahoa Parish has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.