IncomeBy County

Tensas Parish, Louisiana

Income Data

U.S. Census Bureau ACS
-35% vs. Louisiana average
$36,074
Median Household Income
$21,878
Per Capita Income

At a Glance

Median Household Income
$36,074
-35% vs. state avg
Per Capita Income
$21,878
-45% vs. national
Income-to-Housing Ratio
44.9%
income as % of home value
Rank in Louisiana
#61 / 64
by median household income

Economic Indicators

Unemployment Rate
N/A
Labor Force Participation
N/A

How Tensas Parish Compares

Tensas Parish$36,074
Louisiana Average$55,250
National Median$74,755

Detailed Income Statistics

$36,074
Median Household Income
$21,878
Per Capita Income
$80,300
Median Home Value
44.9%
Income-to-Housing Ratio

Income Advisory: Tensas Parish

Income Verdict

Tensas Parish has a median household income of $36,074 and per capita income of $21,878 — a gap of $14,196, suggesting a higher share of single-earner or non-family households.

Housing Affordability

With median gross rent at $613/month and a median household income of $36,074, rent consumes approximately 20.4% of monthly income — well within affordable thresholds.

Economic Context

A median household income of $36,074 indicates below-average earnings, which may limit discretionary spending and make households sensitive to cost-of-living increases. Per capita income of $21,878 suggests below-average individual earnings, which may reflect local employment mix or industrial composition.

Neighbor Context

Tensas Parish earns approximately 34.7% below the Louisiana state median household income of $55,250.

Data Story

About Household Income in Tensas Parish, Louisiana

Tensas faces severe income gap

Tensas Parish households earn just $36,074 annually, a staggering $38,681 below the national median of $74,755. This 52% shortfall marks Tensas as one of the lowest-income parishes in Louisiana and the nation.

Louisiana's lowest-income parish

Tensas's $36,074 median income lags Louisiana's $55,250 average by nearly $19,200, or 35%. The parish ranks dead last or near-last among Louisiana's 64 parishes, reflecting severe economic distress in the region.

Significantly underearn all peers

Tensas's $36,074 trails Union Parish ($45,743) by $9,600 and St. Landry Parish ($45,637) by $9,500. The parish faces isolation from regional economic activity and job opportunities available in neighboring areas.

Tight budgets strain housing costs

Tensas's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio is manageable in isolation, but the critically low median income of $36,074 leaves households with minimal savings capacity. The median home value of $80,300 represents the lowest in the region, yet remains challenging for this income tier.

Start small, think long-term

Tensas residents should focus on emergency savings before investing—even $25 monthly builds $600 yearly as a cushion. Once stabilized, any available funds invested at 7% returns grow substantially: $50 monthly becomes $20,000+ over 20 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median household income in Tensas Parish, Louisiana?
The median household income in Tensas Parish, Louisiana is $36,074, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the county.
How much do people earn in Tensas Parish?
The per capita income in Tensas Parish is $21,878, which represents the average income per person across the entire county population. The median household income — which accounts for all earners in a household — is $36,074.
How does Tensas Parish compare to the Louisiana average?
Tensas Parish's median household income of $36,074 is lower than the Louisiana state average of $55,250. The per capita income is $21,878, compared to the state average of $29,702.
What is the per capita income in Tensas Parish, Louisiana?
The per capita income in Tensas Parish, Louisiana is $21,878, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Per capita income is calculated by dividing total personal income by total population, providing an average income figure per resident.
Is Tensas Parish a low-income area in Louisiana?
Tensas Parish's median household income of $36,074 is below the Louisiana average of $55,250. The per capita income of $21,878 is also lower than the state average of $29,702. Lower incomes can reflect the local economic base, rural vs. urban location, and employment opportunities available in the area.
How does Tensas Parish rank for income in Louisiana?
Tensas Parish ranks #61 out of 64 counties in Louisiana by median household income (1 = highest). With a median household income of $36,074 and per capita income of $21,878, it falls in the bottom third of counties statewide.

Income Comparison Calculator

See how your household income compares in Tensas Parish

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1.00x

Your income is above the Tensas Parish median

County median: $36,074 per year

vs. County Median

+0%

vs. State Average

-35%

vs. National Median

-52%

vs. Tensas Parish MedianAbout equal
vs. Louisiana Average▼ 35% below
vs. National Median▼ 52% below

Income Adequacy

Monthly income covers median rent4.9x

Your monthly income ($3,006) vs. median rent ($613/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.

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Counties with Similar Income Levels

Desha County
Arkansas
$36,064
+0%
Jefferson County
Mississippi
$36,207
+0%
Wilkinson County
Mississippi
$35,930
+0%
Coahoma County
Mississippi
$36,259
+1%
Marlboro County
South Carolina
$36,293
+1%
Sharkey County
Mississippi
$35,741
-1%
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By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.

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