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Rapides County

LA · Pop. 128,470 · Suburban County

49/100Homestead Score

Rapides Parish sits in Louisiana across 1,324 square miles, home to 128,470 people at 97 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, rice, hay. A median home price of $179,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.57% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 249-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.3°F and average winter lows of 37.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 59.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Alexandria Emergency Hospital is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 81.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.57%
Growing Season: 249 days
Broadband: 81.2%
Density: 97/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 249-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.57% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $179,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Alexandria Emergency Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 7.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • 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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A poverty rate of 18.9% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

Rapides County, LA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
49/100
Median home price
$179k
Property tax
0.57%
Growing season
249 days (zone 9a)
Annual rainfall
59.4"
Broadband
81.2%
Nearest hospital
Alexandria Emergency Hospital, 7.3 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.57%
Median Household Income$55,946
Poverty Rate18.9%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$179K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone9a
Growing Season249 days
Annual Rainfall59.4 inches
Avg Summer High91.3°F
Avg Winter Low37.5°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Rice, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado7/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAlexandria Emergency Hospital (7.3 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities13

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage81.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.9%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Rapides County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Rapides Parish?
Rapides Parish is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 249-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.3°F, and average winter lows of 37.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, rice, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $179,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.57%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 81.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Alexandria Emergency Hospital is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 13 hospitals in the county.

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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.