1st Advantage MortgageThe median Catahoula Parish household earns $50,275, and 24% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Louisiana before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Catahoula Parish
- Rent, home values and ownership in Catahoula Parish
- Paychecks and income spread in Catahoula Parish
- How Catahoula Parish residents earn a living
- Regional comparison for Catahoula Parish
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Catahoula Parish
- Catahoula Parish households compared
- Reading the Catahoula Parish data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Catahoula Parish's medians
- Louisiana rules that apply in Catahoula Parish
- Four steps for Catahoula Parish borrowers
- More guides for Catahoula Parish
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Catahoula Parish
Catahoula Parish is home to about 8,583 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 60th most populous of 64 county-level areas in Louisiana. It covers 709 square miles of land, or about 12 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 4 Census places inside Catahoula Parish, Jonesville leads by population with about 1,288; 3 of the 4 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Catahoula Parish estimates can move a lot between releases.
Rent, home values and ownership in Catahoula Parish
Renters in Catahoula Parish pay a median of $821 a month, 23% below the Louisiana figure of $1,064. By the Census definition, 66% of Catahoula Parish renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $101,800, a typical Catahoula Parish house costs 2.0 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 78% of homes.
| Home costs | Catahoula Parish | Louisiana | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $821/mo | $1,064/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $101,800 | $216,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 66% | 55% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 43% | 28% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 34.6% | 12.6% | n/a |
Because most Catahoula Parish households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Paychecks and income spread in Catahoula Parish
At $50,275, the typical Catahoula Parish household income is 23% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Yearly household income | Catahoula Parish | Gap to Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 40.6% | +9.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.0% | +2.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.1% | -7.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.3% | -5.5 pts |
About 41% of households earn under $35,000, while 17% clear $100,000. Census counts 24.3% of Catahoula Parish residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Louisiana. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.433 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Catahoula Parish, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
How Catahoula Parish residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 17%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 17% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Catahoula Parish averages 8.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.3%). About 74% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Catahoula Parish | Difference from Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.7% | -0.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 17.4% | +14.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +1.1 pts |
| Public administration | 9.9% | +4.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.4% | -1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.2% | -1.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Catahoula Parish should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Regional comparison for Catahoula Parish
Distances run center to center, from LaSalle Parish at 19 miles out to Tensas Parish at 38. Income ranges from $36,615 in Tensas Parish to $68,497 in LaSalle Parish; 1 of these neighbors top Catahoula Parish's median. Some neighbors are in Mississippi. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Catahoula Parish resident follows Louisiana rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catahoula Parish | - | $50,275 | $821/mo | 78% |
| LaSalle Parish, LA | 19 mi | $68,497 | $657/mo | 81% |
| Concordia Parish, LA | 19 mi | $39,943 | $771/mo | 74% |
| Adams County, MS | 32 mi | $43,644 | $734/mo | 68% |
| Caldwell Parish, LA | 34 mi | $47,028 | $830/mo | 69% |
| Franklin Parish, LA | 34 mi | $47,020 | $721/mo | 73% |
| Tensas Parish, LA | 38 mi | $36,615 | $601/mo | 74% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Catahoula Parish
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Catahoula Parish, by population. Together all 4 hold about 2,539 people, so roughly 70% of residents live outside any named place. No Catahoula Parish place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesville | town | 1,288 | $43,684 | $1,016 | 3 mi |
| Wallace Ridge | CDP | 628 | n/a | n/a | 2 mi |
| Sicily Island | village | 336 | $20,500 | $628 | 17 mi |
| Harrisonburg | village | 287 | $51,786 | $592 | 7 mi |
Catahoula Parish households compared
16% of Catahoula Parish adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 6.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Catahoula Parish | Louisiana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.8 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.0% | 27.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 22.3% | 12.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | 7.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.2% | 8.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.1% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 24.3% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.9% | 6.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 16.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 34.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.7% |
| 60+ min | 9.1% |
Reading the Catahoula Parish data as a borrower
Based on the Catahoula Parish data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Manufactured homes. 35% of Catahoula Parish housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 24% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Renters under pressure. When 66% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Debt-to-income at Catahoula Parish's medians
Here is the Catahoula Parish median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,190 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $821 uses 20%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $687 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $821, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Louisiana rules that apply in Catahoula Parish
Before sharing details with a lender, a Catahoula Parish resident can confirm its license with the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Louisiana guide.
Four steps for Catahoula Parish borrowers
A short checklist for Catahoula Parish borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Louisiana license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Catahoula Parish credit union about member loans.
More guides for Catahoula Parish
For statewide rules and data, see the Louisiana guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Catahoula Parish earn?
The median is $50,275; 17% earn $100,000 or more and 41% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Catahoula Parish expensive for renters?
Median rent is $821 against $1,064 statewide, and 66% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Jonesville?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Catahoula Parish, such as Wallace Ridge, Sicily Island, Harrisonburg.
Does living in Catahoula Parish change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Catahoula Parish resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Catahoula Parish office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Louisiana it is the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions.