1st Advantage MortgageJackson Parish households have a median income of $44,925 and median rent of $736 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Jackson Parish at a glance
- Paychecks and income spread in Jackson Parish
- Work, industries and travel time in Jackson Parish
- What it costs to live in Jackson Parish
- Jackson Parish towns compared
- Counties near Jackson Parish
- A Jackson Parish household budget, worked through
- Jackson Parish households compared
- Reading the Jackson Parish data as a borrower
- Who licenses lenders for Jackson Parish residents
- A Jackson Parish borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Jackson Parish at a glance
With an estimated 14,884 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Jackson Parish ranks 51st of 64 in Louisiana for population. Land area is 569 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 26 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jackson Parish is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (7 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Jonesboro, with about 4,063 residents, or 27% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Jackson Parish
Half of Jackson Parish households take in less than $44,925 a year and half take in more, 26% below the Louisiana median of $60,756. Only 49 Louisiana counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Jackson Parish | +/- vs Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.8% | +4.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.8% | +7.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.6% | -6.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.8% | -5.0 pts |
About 35% of households earn under $35,000, while 18% clear $100,000. Census counts 22.3% of Jackson Parish residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Louisiana. None of these numbers decides a Jackson Parish application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in Jackson Parish
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Jackson Parish residents work in education and health care and 14% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 14% locally and 8% for Louisiana. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 7.4% in Jackson Parish. 15% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Jackson Parish | Gap to Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.3% | -2.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.0% | +6.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.3% | +2.3 pts |
| Public administration | 8.0% | +2.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.6% | -2.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.3% | +1.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What it costs to live in Jackson Parish
Renters in Jackson Parish pay a median of $736 a month, 31% below the Louisiana figure of $1,064. By the Census definition, 49% of Jackson Parish renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $115,600, about 2.6 times the median household income. Owners occupy 70% of homes. Median construction year: 1979.
| Jackson Parish | Louisiana | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $736/mo | $1,064/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $115,600 | $216,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 55% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 28% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.7% | 12.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 23% | 14% | n/a |
Jackson Parish towns compared
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Jackson Parish, by population. Together all 7 hold about 6,487 people, so roughly 56% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $37,353 in Chatham to $47,800 in Hodge. Median rent ranges from $705 in Jonesboro to $758 in Chatham. Live in one of these Jackson Parish communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | town | 4,063 | $41,786 | $705 | 10 mi |
| Hodge | village | 597 | $47,800 | $734 | 10 mi |
| Chatham | town | 534 | $37,353 | $758 | 6 mi |
| North Hodge | village | 493 | $36,012 | $711 | 9 mi |
| Quitman | village | 321 | $31,806 | $1,005 | 10 mi |
| East Hodge | village | 273 | $31,500 | $542 | 9 mi |
| Eros | town | 206 | $32,250 | $755 | 10 mi |
Counties near Jackson Parish
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 38 miles). Ouachita Parish leads the group on income ($54,688), Bienville Parish trails ($35,011), and Jackson Parish out-earns 3 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Parish | - | $44,925 | $736/mo | 70% |
| Lincoln Parish, LA | 21 mi | $39,172 | $825/mo | 54% |
| Winn Parish, LA | 26 mi | $48,871 | $774/mo | 71% |
| Ouachita Parish, LA | 27 mi | $54,688 | $959/mo | 61% |
| Bienville Parish, LA | 28 mi | $35,011 | $606/mo | 70% |
| Caldwell Parish, LA | 30 mi | $47,028 | $830/mo | 69% |
| Union Parish, LA | 38 mi | $42,885 | $778/mo | 78% |
A Jackson Parish household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Jackson Parish household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $3,744 gross per month ($44,925 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $736, takes 20% of that
- Under a 43% cap, $1,610 total minus rent leaves $874
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Jackson Parish households compared
College graduates make up 15% of the adult population. 7.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Jackson Parish | Louisiana | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.7% | 27.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.1% | 12.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.7% | 7.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.1% | 8.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.4% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 22.3% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.4% | 6.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Jackson Parish workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.0% |
| 60+ min | 8.5% |
Reading the Jackson Parish data as a borrower
Where the Jackson Parish numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Manufactured homes. 20% of Jackson Parish housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 22% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Rent squeeze. 49% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Who licenses lenders for Jackson Parish residents
The Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Louisiana license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Louisiana guide.
A Jackson Parish borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Jackson Parish borrowers:
- Price the Jackson Parish expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Louisiana license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a Jackson Parish credit union about member loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Louisiana guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jackson Parish a high-income county?
Its $44,925 median ranks 50th of 64 Louisiana counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Jackson Parish?
$736 a month at the median, about 20% of median household income.
Which towns does the Jackson Parish guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Jonesboro, Hodge, Chatham, North Hodge, Quitman.
Does living in Jackson 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 Jackson Parish resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Jackson Parish?
Start with the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.