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Caldwell County

LA · Pop. 9,563 · Rural County

86/100Homestead Score

Caldwell Parish is a rural county in Louisiana, spanning 530 square miles with 9,563 residents at a density of 18 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on corn, hay, cotton. The median home price is $106,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.32%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 245-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F and average winter lows of 36.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 58.7 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Citizens Medical Center is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 49% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.32%
Growing Season: 245 days
Broadband: 49%
Density: 18/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 245-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.32% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $106,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Citizens Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • At 18 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • Broadband reaches only 49% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
  • A poverty rate of 25.4% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Caldwell County, LA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
86/100
Median home price
$106k
Property tax
0.32%
Growing season
245 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
58.7"
Broadband
49%
Nearest hospital
Citizens Medical Center, 2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.32%
Median Household Income$44,957
Poverty Rate25.4%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$106K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season245 days
Annual Rainfall58.7 inches
Avg Summer High91.5°F
Avg Winter Low36.2°F
Top CropsCorn, Hay, Cotton

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado4/10
Flood2/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCitizens Medical Center (2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage49%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5.2%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Caldwell County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Caldwell Parish?
Caldwell Parish is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 245-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F, and average winter lows of 36.2°F. The established crops are corn, hay, cotton.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $106,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.32%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 49% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Citizens Medical Center is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Caldwell County by distance, including across state lines.

Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.