Lafourche Parish, Louisiana

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.1 | 95,056 people · 54th most distressed in Louisiana
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Lafourche Parish, LA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.1 — 1011th 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 54th of 64 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lafourche Parish's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 65.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 65.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 66
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 95
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 16
Homeownership Rate 27
Consumer Credit Distress 64.0
Debt in Collections 60
Medical Debt 79
Auto Loan Delinquency 76
Credit Card Delinquency 47
Uninsured Rate 36
Subprime Credit Population 72
Legal Distress 57.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Structural Poverty 48.4
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 84
Income vs. State Median 24
Child Poverty Rate 81
Disability Rate 58
Transfer Income Dependency 25
Economic Vitality 36.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 7
Rent-to-Income Ratio 58
Business Formation Rate 56
House Price Change (YoY) 85

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lafourche Parish
Lafourche Parish, LA 59.1 Elevated —
Jefferson Parish, LA 70.9 Serious +11.8
St. John the Baptist Parish, LA 69.8 Serious +10.7
Assumption Parish, LA 67.5 Serious +8.4
Terrebonne Parish, LA 66.8 Serious +7.7
St. Charles Parish, LA 60.2 Elevated +1.1
St. James Parish, LA 56.2 Elevated -2.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lafourche Parish
Catoosa County, GA 59.1 Elevated -0.0
Yuma County, AZ 59.1 Elevated +0.0
Clark County, IN 59.1 Elevated +0.0
Jefferson County, TN 59.0 Elevated -0.1
Chemung County, NY 58.9 Elevated -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lafourche Parish

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 Lafourche 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Lafourche Parish has a County Distress Index score of 59.1 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,011th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 54th in Louisiana out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lafourche Parish?

    The primary driver of distress in Lafourche Parish is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 65.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lafourche Parish compare to neighboring counties?

    Lafourche Parish (59.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jefferson Parish, LA (70.9); St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (69.8); Assumption Parish, LA (67.5).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Lafourche Parish's score of 59.1 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Lafourche 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 Lafourche Parish?

    Lafourche Parish, Louisiana has a population of approximately 95,056 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.