Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

County Distress Index: Serious · 70.9 | 421,777 people · 28th most distressed in Louisiana
American Default Research

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Jefferson Parish, LA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 70.9 — 351st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Louisiana, it ranks 28th of 64 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jefferson Parish's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 88.9 — worse than roughly 89% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 88.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 91
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 94
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 61
Homeownership Rate 90
Consumer Credit Distress 73.3
Debt in Collections 73
Medical Debt 44
Auto Loan Delinquency 88
Credit Card Delinquency 82
Uninsured Rate 70
Subprime Credit Population 75
Legal Distress 68.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 68
Economic Vitality 55.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 51
Rent-to-Income Ratio 86
Business Formation Rate 12
House Price Change (YoY) 67
Structural Poverty 45.9
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 73
Income vs. State Median 22
Child Poverty Rate 74
Disability Rate 52
Transfer Income Dependency 27

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish, LA 70.9 Serious —
Orleans Parish, LA 78.2 Serious +7.2
Tangipahoa Parish, LA 77.8 Serious +6.9
St. John the Baptist Parish, LA 69.8 Serious -1.1
St. Charles Parish, LA 60.2 Elevated -10.8
St. Tammany Parish, LA 59.3 Elevated -11.6
Lafourche Parish, LA 59.1 Elevated -11.8
Plaquemines Parish, LA 56.7 Elevated -14.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson Parish
McLennan County, TX 71.1 Serious +0.2
St. Lucie County, FL 70.2 Serious -0.8
Marion County, FL 71.9 Serious +1.0
Pulaski County, AR 70.0 Serious -1.0
Volusia County, FL 69.8 Serious -1.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Jefferson Parish as a CSV file.

Find Help in Jefferson Parish

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Jefferson Parish.

JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS
New Orleans
504-736-6900 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-Purchase

See all counselors in Louisiana →

Find an Attorney

Louisiana State Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Louisiana State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 1-800-421-5722

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Jefferson Parish residents at no cost.

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services 504-529-1000
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation 1-800-256-1175
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation (504) 529-1000

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Louisiana →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana?

    Jefferson Parish has a County Distress Index score of 70.9 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 351st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 28th in Louisiana out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jefferson Parish?

    The primary driver of distress in Jefferson Parish is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 88.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Jefferson Parish compare to neighboring counties?

    Jefferson Parish (70.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Orleans Parish, LA (78.2); Tangipahoa Parish, LA (77.8); St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (69.8).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Serious zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Jefferson Parish's score of 70.9 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

  • What data sources power Jefferson Parish's CDI score?

    Jefferson Parish's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Jefferson Parish?

    Jefferson Parish, Louisiana has a population of approximately 421,777 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.