Rapides Parish, Louisiana

County Distress Index: Serious · 76.5 | 126,260 people · 14th most distressed in Louisiana
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Rapides Parish, LA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 76.5 — 140th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Louisiana, it ranks 14th 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. Rapides Parish's primary driver is Legal Distress at 90.6 — worse than roughly 91% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 90.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 91
Housing Cost Burden 82.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 84
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 88
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 54
Homeownership Rate 84
Consumer Credit Distress 80.8
Debt in Collections 88
Medical Debt 85
Auto Loan Delinquency 85
Credit Card Delinquency 69
Uninsured Rate 57
Subprime Credit Population 86
Structural Poverty 67.3
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 85
Income vs. State Median 53
Child Poverty Rate 82
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 69
Economic Vitality 44.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 31
Rent-to-Income Ratio 65
Business Formation Rate 27
House Price Change (YoY) 77

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rapides Parish
Rapides Parish, LA 76.5 Serious —
Avoyelles Parish, LA 77.8 Serious +1.3
Natchitoches Parish, LA 77.5 Serious +1.0
Allen Parish, LA 72.7 Serious -3.8
Evangeline Parish, LA 69.4 Serious -7.1
Vernon Parish, LA 64.9 Elevated -11.6
Grant Parish, LA 61.1 Elevated -15.5
LaSalle Parish, LA 59.9 Elevated -16.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rapides Parish
Lauderdale County, MS 76.5 Serious -0.0
Madison County, TN 76.4 Serious -0.2
Muskogee County, OK 76.3 Serious -0.2
Anderson County, TX 76.8 Serious +0.2
Montgomery County, AL 76.3 Serious -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Rapides Parish

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Rapides Parish.

CENLA COMMUNITY ACTION COMMITTEE, INCORPORATED
Alexandria
318-314-3480 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabHomeless/Displacement
RAPIDES STATION COMMUNITY MINISTRIES
Alexandria
318-487-9254 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingHome Improvement/Rehab

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 Rapides 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 Rapides Parish, Louisiana?

    Rapides Parish has a County Distress Index score of 76.5 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 140th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in Louisiana out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rapides Parish?

    The primary driver of distress in Rapides Parish is Legal Distress, where the county scores 90.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Rapides Parish compare to neighboring counties?

    Rapides Parish (76.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Avoyelles Parish, LA (77.8); Natchitoches Parish, LA (77.5); Allen Parish, LA (72.7).

  • 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). Rapides Parish's score of 76.5 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Rapides 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 Rapides Parish?

    Rapides Parish, Louisiana has a population of approximately 126,260 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.