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St. Landry County

LA · Pop. 82,128 · Suburban County

62/100Homestead Score

St. Landry Parish sits in Louisiana across 924 square miles, home to 82,128 people at 88.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, rice, sugarcane. The median home price is $143,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.3%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 269-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.1°F and average winter lows of 42.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 64.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. Landry Extended Care Hospital is 5.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 89.8% 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: 0.3%
Growing Season: 269 days
Broadband: 89.8%
Density: 88.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 269-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.3% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $143,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • St. Landry Extended Care Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, rice, sugarcane means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.

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 24% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

St. Landry County, LA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
62/100
Median home price
$143k
Property tax
0.3%
Growing season
269 days (zone 9a)
Annual rainfall
64.2"
Broadband
89.8%
Nearest hospital
St. Landry Extended Care Hospital, 5.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.3%
Median Household Income$45,637
Poverty Rate24%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$143K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone9a
Growing Season269 days
Annual Rainfall64.2 inches
Avg Summer High91.1°F
Avg Winter Low42.6°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Rice, Sugarcane

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado10/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSt. Landry Extended Care Hospital (5.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities6

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage89.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in St. Landry County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in St. Landry Parish?
St. Landry Parish is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 269-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.1°F, and average winter lows of 42.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, rice, sugarcane.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $143,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.3%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 89.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
St. Landry Extended Care Hospital is 5.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 6 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.