Catahoula County
LA · Pop. 8,738 · Rural County
Catahoula Parish sits in Louisiana across 708 square miles, home to 8,738 people at 12.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, cotton, corn. A median home price of $88,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.29% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 270-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.3°F and average winter lows of 39.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 57.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Riverland Medical Center is 17.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 47.4% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 270-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.29% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $88,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, cotton, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 12.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Broadband reaches only 47.4% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Riverland Medical Center, is 17.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 28.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Catahoula County, LA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 69/100
- Median home price
- $88k
- Property tax
- 0.29%
- Growing season
- 270 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 57.8"
- Broadband
- 47.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Riverland Medical Center, 17.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Catahoula County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Catahoula Parish?
- Catahoula Parish is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 270-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.3°F, and average winter lows of 39.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $88,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.29%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 47.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Riverland Medical Center is 17.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Louisiana Resources
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LandWatch
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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.
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