Ouachita Parish, located in northern Louisiana, is home to approximately 160,000 residents. It is a part of the Monroe metropolitan area and boasts a diverse history and culture. Nevertheless, disparities in prosperity and well-being exist across different areas within the parish.
As per the U.S. Census Bureau‘s data from 2019, the poverty rate in Ouachita Parish stood at 26.3%, surpassing both the state average of 19.6% and the national average of 12.8%.
This economic hardship isn’t uniformly spread throughout the parish; rather, it tends to be concentrated in specific neighborhoods facing a multitude of challenges, including low income, high unemployment, limited access to education, subpar health conditions, and elevated crime rates.
In this Article, we will delve into the five most poorest neighborhoods in Ouachita Parish, using median household income data sourced from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey spanning 2015-2019.
Richwood
Richwood, situated in the southern region of Ouachita Parish, is home to approximately 3,500 residents. It stands out as one of Louisiana’s most economically challenged areas, boasting a median household income of just $17,500.
This figure falls significantly short of the parish median of $41,137 and is less than a third of the national median, which stands at $62,843.
Remarkably, over half of the population lives below the poverty line, and a staggering 25% lack access to health insurance.
Additionally, the town grapples with elevated crime rates, registering a violent crime rate of 1,031 incidents per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 4,123 incidents per 100,000 people. These figures surpass both state and national averages.
Read More:Â Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Anderson County, Tennessee
Monroe
Monroe, located in Ouachita Parish, holds the distinction of being the largest city and the parish’s administrative hub, boasting a population of approximately 47,000 inhabitants. Serving as the central hub for both economic and cultural activities in the region, Monroe is home to various higher education institutions, museums, festivals, and thriving businesses.
However, it grapples with notable levels of poverty and inequality, as reflected in its median household income of just $28,470, which falls below 70% of the parish median and less than half of the national average.
Over a third of the populace resides below the poverty line, and more than a fifth lack access to health insurance. Additionally, the city contends with elevated crime rates, with a violent crime rate of 1,230 incidents per 100,000 people, as well as a property crime rate of 5,071 incidents per 100,000 people, both of which surpass the state and national norms.
Read More:Â Discover the 5 Most Worst Neighborhoods in Teton County, Wyoming
Brownsville
Brownsville-Bawcomville, situated in the western part of Ouachita Parish, is a census-designated place (CDP) with an approximate population of 7,500 individuals.
Comprising two neighboring communities, Brownsville and Bawcomville, the CDP exhibits a median household income of just $29,167. This amount falls below 71% of the parish median income and is less than half of the national median.
Over a third of its residents live below the poverty line, and more than a fifth lack health insurance coverage. The CDP also grapples with a high crime rate, boasting a violent crime rate of 1,133 per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 4,533 per 100,000 people. Both figures surpass the state and national averages.
Read More:Â Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Robertson County, Tennessee
Claiborne
Claiborne, located in the western part of Ouachita Parish, is home to approximately 11,000 residents. The median household income stands at just $30,833, which is below 75% of the parish’s median income and less than half of the national average.
Over 30% of the population falls below the poverty line, and more than 20% lack health insurance coverage. This community also grapples with a notable crime rate, recording a violent crime rate of 1,097 incidents per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 4,397 incidents per 100,000 people—both surpassing the state and national averages.
Read More:Â Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Maury County, Tennessee
Lakeshore
Lakeshore, situated in the western area of Ouachita Parish, is home to approximately 2,500 residents. The median household income stands at just $31,250, which is below 76% of the parish median income and less than half of the national average.
Over a third of the population falls below the poverty line, and more than one-fifth lack health insurance coverage. Additionally, Lakeshore faces a notable crime issue, with a violent crime rate of 1,085 incidents per 100,000 individuals, and a property crime rate of 4,340 incidents per 100,000 individuals. These figures surpass both state and national averages.
Read More:Â Discover the 5 Most Safest Neighborhoods in Aroostook County, Maine
Final Words
Here are the five most poorest neighborhoods in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, as determined by the median household income statistics.
All of them are situated in the southern or western areas of the parish, and they encounter various difficulties including limited income, elevated poverty rates, lower educational attainment, subpar health conditions, and increased crime levels. These neighborhoods require increased resources and assistance to enhance their overall quality of life and prospects.
