Jefferson County
LA · Pop. 432,484 · Urban County
Jefferson Parish is an urban county in Louisiana, spanning 301 square miles with 432,484 residents at a density of 1436.8 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay. The median home price is $244,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.52%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 322-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F and average winter lows of 46.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 63.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Lady of the Sea General Hospital is 16.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 322-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.52% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 1436.8 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Jefferson County, LA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 54/100
- Median home price
- $244k
- Property tax
- 0.52%
- Growing season
- 322 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 63.9"
- Broadband
- 97.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Lady of the Sea General Hospital, 16.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson Parish?
- Jefferson Parish is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 322-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F, and average winter lows of 46.1°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $244,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.52%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lady of the Sea General Hospital is 16.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 16 hospitals in the county.
Explore Louisiana Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Louisiana
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The closest counties to Jefferson 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.
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