1st Advantage MortgageThe median Washington Parish household earns $45,380, 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
- Washington Parish, LA: the basics
- Rent, home values and ownership in Washington Parish
- Household income in Washington Parish
- Work, industries and travel time in Washington Parish
- Washington Parish next to its neighbors
- Towns and communities in Washington Parish
- Washington Parish residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Washington Parish
- Debt-to-income at Washington Parish's medians
- Steps before you apply in Washington Parish
- Louisiana rules that apply in Washington Parish
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Washington Parish, LA: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Washington Parish's population at 45,120; only 24 of Louisiana's 64 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 670 square miles, that is close to 67 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Washington Parish is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (4 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Bogalusa, with about 10,468 residents, or 23% of the county.
Rent, home values and ownership in Washington Parish
Renters in Washington Parish pay a median of $774 a month, 27% below the Louisiana figure of $1,064. 62% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 22% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $155,700, about 3.4 times the median household income. 69% of Washington Parish households own their home and 31% rent. Median construction year: 1982.
| Home costs | Washington Parish | Louisiana | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $774/mo | $1,064/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $155,700 | $216,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 62% | 55% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 28% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 14% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Household income in Washington Parish
Half of Washington Parish households take in less than $45,380 a year and half take in more, 25% below the Louisiana median of $60,756. Only 48 Louisiana counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Washington Parish | Gap to Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 40.1% | +9.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.7% | +1.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.2% | -5.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.0% | -4.8 pts |
About 40% of households earn under $35,000, while 19% clear $100,000. 24.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 18.9%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.490 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Washington Parish application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in Washington Parish
The biggest employer of Washington Parish residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by retail trade (14%). Compared with Louisiana, the county leans toward retail trade (14% against 11%). The survey's unemployment rate for Washington Parish averages 9.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.3%). Long commutes are common here: 28% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 11.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Washington Parish | Difference from Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.0% | +0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.8% | +2.7 pts |
| Construction | 8.9% | +0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.9% | +1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.5% | -0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.4% | -1.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Washington Parish should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Washington Parish next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Walthall County at 22 miles out to St. Tammany Parish at 31. St. Tammany Parish leads the group on income ($81,202), Pike County trails ($43,814), and Washington Parish out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Mississippi. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Washington Parish resident follows Louisiana rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Parish | - | $45,380 | $774/mo | 69% |
| Walthall County, MS | 22 mi | $48,905 | $790/mo | 80% |
| Tangipahoa Parish, LA | 27 mi | $56,760 | $1,003/mo | 70% |
| Pearl River County, MS | 28 mi | $58,135 | $906/mo | 80% |
| Marion County, MS | 29 mi | $45,110 | $818/mo | 77% |
| Pike County, MS | 31 mi | $43,814 | $919/mo | 67% |
| St. Tammany Parish, LA | 31 mi | $81,202 | $1,332/mo | 79% |
Towns and communities in Washington Parish
5 Census places fall mainly inside Washington Parish; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 15,027 residents, leaving about 67% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogalusa | city | 10,468 | $30,749 | $767 | 12 mi |
| Franklinton | town | 3,602 | $34,235 | $808 | 6 mi |
| Varnado | village | 425 | $39,250 | $829 | 13 mi |
| Angie | village | 313 | $61,250 | $618 | 15 mi |
| Rio | CDP | 219 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
Washington Parish residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.2%, against 7.8% for Louisiana.
| Washington Parish | Louisiana | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.8% | 27.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.7% | 12.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.2% | 7.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.5% | 8.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.2% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 24.3% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.9% | 6.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Washington Parish workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.5% |
| 60+ min | 15.4% |
Before borrowing in Washington Parish
Where the Washington Parish numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Commuter costs. 28% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Manufactured homes. 25% of Washington 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.
- Tight rental budgets. With 62% of Washington Parish renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Debt-to-income at Washington Parish's medians
How much room does a median Washington 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: $3,782 before taxes
- 20% goes to median rent ($774)
- At 36%, room after rent is $587 a month
- Under a 43% cap, $1,626 total minus rent leaves $852
If your rent is above $774, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Steps before you apply in Washington Parish
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Washington Parish expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Washington Parish-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Louisiana rules that apply in Washington Parish
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Washington Parish, check the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Louisiana state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
The Louisiana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Washington Parish?
$45,380 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $60,756 for Louisiana. It ranks 49th of 64 in the state.
Is Washington Parish expensive for renters?
Median rent is $774 against $1,064 statewide, and 62% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Washington Parish?
By population: Bogalusa, Franklinton, Varnado, Angie, Rio. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Does living in Washington 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 Washington Parish resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Washington Parish office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Louisiana it is the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions.