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Louisiana

Louisiana

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Demographics

Majority WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 58
Population4,621,025
Foreign Born2.8%
Population Density107people per mi²
Median Age37.8 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
StableSince 2000, this state has held a relatively stable population and racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
C
Average

A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.

Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.

Cost of Living

83/100

17% below national average

A+
Affordability Ratio

101%

The Real Cost of Living in Louisiana

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $17k$31k
Comfortable $41k$60k
Luxury $108k+$168k+
Elite (Top 5%) $144k+$223k+

Economics

Overall Economy Grade
C+
Average

An economy roughly in line with the national baseline across income, employment, and housing.

Median HHI
$60k+3.8%
20% below US avg
Avg Net Worth
$279k
58% below US avg
WFH
7.2%
50% below US avg
Homeownership
67.3%
3% above US avg
Median Home
$209k
26% below US avg
Avg HH Debt
$16k
9% below US avg
Poverty Rate
18.9%
64% above US avg
Public Assistance
17.3%
48% above US avg
Unemployment
6.3%
70% above US avg
Median Rent
$1k
11% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
C+
Moderate

Crime rates similar to the national median for U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
17.7
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−40.1%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−41.3%
Homicide
0.06 / 1k Residents3% below US avg
Robbery
0.21 / 1k Residents68% below US avg
Aggravated Assault
3.00 / 1k Residents12% above US avg

Property Crime

5yr−38.9%
Burglary
2.33 / 1k Residents14% below US avg
Larceny-Theft
10.53 / 1k Residents25% below US avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
1.27 / 1k Residents55% below US avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+10Solidly Conservative
State Legislature of Louisiana
Louisiana Senate11D · 28R
Louisiana House32D · 73R
Presidential Voting Trends for Louisiana
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B+
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
B-
Fair9.1% of income
Property Rights
C-
FairIJ Grade C-
Firearm Rights
B
GoodFPC Grade B
Homeschooling
A-
GoodLow regulation

Energy independence: Net exporter (280% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
F
ProhibitedIllegal
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A-
Broadly LegalMedical + Decrim.

Homesteading

Growing Season301 daysstatewide average
Annual Rainfall65.7"statewide average
Elevation163 ftstatewide average

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
B-
Defensible

Workable tactical position. Some exposure to population density or targets, but generally defensible in a crisis.

Best Places to Live

Cities

Largest Cities in Louisiana

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-18T22:40:11.000Z

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