1st Advantage MortgageIn Cameron Parish, Louisiana, the typical household earns $75,278 a year and the typical rent is $1,688. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Louisiana license first.
On this page
- A quick profile of Cameron Parish
- Cameron Parish housing compared with Louisiana
- Income in Cameron Parish compared with Louisiana
- Jobs and commutes in Cameron Parish
- Cameron Parish next to its neighbors
- Towns and communities in Cameron Parish
- Cameron Parish residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for Cameron Parish
- What a median Cameron Parish budget can carry
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Cameron Parish
- More guides for Cameron Parish
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Cameron Parish
With an estimated 5,015 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Cameron Parish ranks 63rd of 64 in Louisiana for population. Spread over 1,285 square miles, that works out to roughly 3.9 residents per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Lake Charles, LA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 2 Census places inside Cameron Parish, Hackberry leads by population with about 899; 0 of the 2 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Cameron Parish estimates can move a lot between releases.
Cameron Parish housing compared with Louisiana
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,688 in Cameron Parish versus $1,064 statewide. 22% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 22% spend half or more. With a median value of $202,500, a typical Cameron Parish house costs 2.7 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 95% of homes.
| Measure | Cameron Parish | Louisiana | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,688/mo | $1,064/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $202,500 | $216,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 95% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 22% | 55% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 5% | 28% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 42% | 14% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Cameron Parish, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Income in Cameron Parish compared with Louisiana
At $75,278, the typical Cameron Parish household income is 15% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 7 Louisiana counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Cameron Parish | vs Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.0% | -10.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.9% | +4.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.2% | +5.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.9% | +1.1 pts |
About 20% of households earn under $35,000, while 36% clear $100,000. 7.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 18.9%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in Cameron Parish
By the Census industry count, 18% of employed Cameron Parish residents work in education and health care and 15% in construction. Construction stands out: 15% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.1% in Cameron Parish. About 91% drive to work alone and 16% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 2.7% of the total (8.4% statewide).
| Where residents work | Cameron Parish | Difference from Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 17.8% | -7.7 pts |
| Construction | 15.0% | +6.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 14.0% | +4.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.1% | +3.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.9% | +2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -1.3 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Cameron Parish next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Cameron Parish's, from 27 to 54 miles away. Income ranges from $45,562 in Acadia Parish to $72,104 in Orange County; none of these neighbors top Cameron Parish's median. The list crosses into Texas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Parish | - | $75,278 | $1,688/mo | 95% |
| Calcasieu Parish, LA | 27 mi | $67,564 | $1,109/mo | 73% |
| Jefferson Davis Parish, LA | 34 mi | $57,341 | $848/mo | 77% |
| Orange County, TX | 47 mi | $72,104 | $1,100/mo | 75% |
| Vermilion Parish, LA | 51 mi | $55,707 | $848/mo | 73% |
| Acadia Parish, LA | 54 mi | $45,562 | $681/mo | 67% |
| Beauregard Parish, LA | 54 mi | $65,944 | $898/mo | 85% |
Towns and communities in Cameron Parish
2 Census places fall mainly inside Cameron Parish; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 1,068 residents, leaving about 79% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hackberry | CDP | 899 | $105,263 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Cameron | CDP | 169 | $54,125 | n/a | 9 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Cameron Parish residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. About 2% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Cameron Parish | Louisiana | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.8% | 27.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.8% | 12.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.4% | 7.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.7% | 8.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 0.4% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.4% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.1% | 6.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.3% |
| 60+ min | 8.9% |
Local borrowing considerations for Cameron Parish
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Cameron Parish borrowers.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 29% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Cameron Parish borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
What a median Cameron Parish budget can carry
How much room does a median Cameron Parish budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,273 before taxes
- Median rent: $1,688, or 27 cents of every gross dollar
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,009 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Cameron Parish's.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Cameron Parish:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Cameron Parish-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Lender oversight for Cameron Parish
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Cameron Parish, check the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Louisiana guide.
More guides for Cameron Parish
For statewide rules and data, see the Louisiana guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Cameron Parish household make?
About $75,278 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 24% above the Louisiana median.
Is Cameron Parish expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,688 against $1,064 statewide, and 22% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Cameron Parish town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Hackberry, Cameron.
Are Cameron Parish applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Cameron Parish check a lender's license?
With the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.