1st Advantage MortgageIn Vernon Parish, Louisiana, the typical household earns $57,270 a year and the typical rent is $1,068. 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 Vernon Parish
- What it costs to live in Vernon Parish
- Household income in Vernon Parish
- The Vernon Parish job picture
- The communities that make up Vernon Parish
- Regional comparison for Vernon Parish
- Room for a loan payment in Vernon Parish
- More Vernon Parish figures
- What the numbers mean for Vernon Parish borrowers
- Checklist for Vernon Parish applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Vernon Parish
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Vernon Parish
With an estimated 47,117 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Vernon Parish ranks 24th of 64 in Louisiana for population. Spread over 1,327 square miles, that works out to roughly 35.5 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Vernon Parish is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 9 Census places inside Vernon Parish, Fort Polk South leads by population with about 7,869; 6 of the 9 are incorporated.
What it costs to live in Vernon Parish
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,068 in Vernon Parish versus $1,064 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 42% of renter households here. Home values center on $156,000, or 2.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 56%. The median year built is 1988.
| Cost | Vernon Parish | Louisiana figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,068/mo | $1,064/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $156,000 | $216,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 56% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 55% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 28% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 23.2% | 12.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 14% | n/a |
Household income in Vernon Parish
Vernon Parish households have a median income of $57,270 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 25th of 64 in Louisiana.
| Band | Vernon Parish | Compared with Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.1% | -0.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.0% | +5.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.3% | -0.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.5% | -4.3 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 25% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 19.0%, the same as the state's 18.9%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.443 here. A household earning below the $57,270 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Vernon Parish job picture
The biggest employer of Vernon Parish residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by retail trade (12%). Public administration stands out: 8% of workers here, versus 5% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Vernon Parish averages 5.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.3%). About 80% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 6.2% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Vernon Parish | Difference from Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.8% | -0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.5% | +0.7 pts |
| Construction | 9.4% | +1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | -0.8 pts |
| Public administration | 8.0% | +2.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Vernon Parish should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The communities that make up Vernon Parish
9 Census places fall mainly inside Vernon Parish; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 21,796 residents, leaving about 54% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $37,500 in Leesville to $73,214 in Anacoco. Live in one of these Vernon Parish communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Polk South | CDP | 7,869 | $63,800 | $1,202 | 4 mi |
| Leesville | city | 5,495 | $37,500 | $894 | 6 mi |
| Fort Polk North | CDP | 2,401 | $47,588 | $1,106 | 1 mi |
| New Llano | town | 2,144 | $52,135 | $828 | 5 mi |
| Rosepine | town | 1,702 | $60,625 | $763 | 14 mi |
| Anacoco | village | 889 | $73,214 | $581 | 14 mi |
| Pitkin | CDP | 489 | $116,419 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Hornbeck | town | 412 | $37,462 | $930 | 20 mi |
| Simpson | village | 395 | $90,313 | n/a | 15 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Regional comparison for Vernon Parish
Beauregard Parish is closest, 33 miles from center to center; the sixth, Sabine County, is 43 miles off. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Vernon Parish; Sabine County is highest at $66,585 and Newton County lowest at $42,618. The list crosses into Texas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon Parish | - | $57,270 | $1,068/mo | 56% |
| Beauregard Parish, LA | 33 mi | $65,944 | $898/mo | 85% |
| Allen Parish, LA | 38 mi | $46,469 | $775/mo | 74% |
| Sabine Parish, LA | 38 mi | $50,329 | $701/mo | 80% |
| Rapides Parish, LA | 39 mi | $54,967 | $950/mo | 65% |
| Newton County, TX | 39 mi | $42,618 | $1,001/mo | 83% |
| Sabine County, TX | 43 mi | $66,585 | $844/mo | 86% |
Room for a loan payment in Vernon Parish
How much room does a median Vernon Parish budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Vernon Parish: $4,772
- Rent at the median, $1,068, takes 22% of that
- With a 43% ceiling, about $984 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
More Vernon Parish figures
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.8%, against 7.8% for Louisiana.
| Residents | Vernon Parish | Louisiana | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.4 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.8% | 27.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.0% | 12.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | 7.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.2% | 8.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.0% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.7% | 6.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Vernon Parish workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.6% |
| 60+ min | 6.1% |
What the numbers mean for Vernon Parish borrowers
What the Vernon Parish figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Mobile home upkeep. 23% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- 19% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Vernon Parish borrower sees (free reports).
Checklist for Vernon Parish applicants
Steps that save money for Vernon Parish residents:
- Price the Vernon Parish expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Vernon Parish-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Vernon Parish
Before sharing details with a lender, a Vernon Parish resident can confirm its license with the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Louisiana state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Louisiana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Vernon Parish?
$57,270 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $60,756 for Louisiana. It ranks 25th of 64 in the state.
How much is rent in Vernon Parish?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,068 a month; 42% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Fort Polk South?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Vernon Parish, such as Leesville, Fort Polk North, New Llano.
Does living in Vernon 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 Vernon Parish resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Vernon Parish?
Start with the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.