District 9
RANK #378 / 996 NAT · #10 / 21 LA · POP 133,953
1YR FORECAST: -0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
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.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.3x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 62/100, Tangipahoa Parish sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.7%, and median household income stands at $55,274 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in LA.
Housing in Tangipahoa Parish is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $193,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $930/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 +0.7%). Home values shifted -0.6% 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 3.76% 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.