District 1
RANK #62 / 996 NAT · #1 / 21 LA · POP 57,202
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +38%
Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, often called "The Most Cajun Place on Earth," is defined by its rich Acadian heritage and coastal landscape. Abbeville, the parish seat, features Magdalen Square with its gazebo and the historic St. Mary Magdalen Church, reflecting the town's French village origins. Located south of Lafayette, the parish offers a slower pace of life with scenic drives through farmlands and bayous. Outdoor recreation includes Palmetto Island State Park, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, canoeing, and kayaking on the Vermilion River, and birding trails like the White Lake Birding and Nature Trail. Life in Vermilion Parish is characterized by a strong sense of community and a connection to its agricultural and fishing roots. Many residents own their homes, and public schools in the Vermilion Parish School System are highly rated. The economy, historically tied to oil and gas, is now seeking diversification. Recent efforts include workforce development, support for small businesses, and promoting tourism, particularly around its unique Cajun culture and festivals like Abbeville's Giant Omelette Celebration.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.8x 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Vermilion Parish ranks #62 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 94/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.7% and a median household income of $56,194 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Vermilion Parish is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $154,000, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $745/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
It's a mixed picture in Vermilion Parish. The population is declining (-1.0% YoY), but employers are actually hiring — job growth is at +1.7%. Home values moved -0.9% 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 2.67% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Vermilion Parish has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.