Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
The best of Independence’s subject grades is a B for history; the weakest is a D− for safety. 31% of residents live below the poverty line in Independence, where Louisiana’s towns sit at 20% and U.S. towns at 9.6%. CDC estimates put its residents' health behind 97% of the country. Among 54 Louisiana towns, just 1 have a higher violent crime rate than Independence. Independence Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. Independence's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) trails 85% of U.S. towns. Independence has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
Where Independence beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Louisiana), ordered by how far Independence is from typical.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Census counts: 68 in 1880, 1,635 in 2020. The archive holds 12 old photos and papers going back to 1935 and 3 maps from 1954 on.
1 place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Independence, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.
Ordered by what stands out in Independence.
Independence reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 99% report less. Independence’s property crime rate is 38 per 1,000 residents, above both Louisiana’s towns (24) and U.S. towns (9.9).
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Its public schools are run by the Tangipahoa Parish school district. Two of its 4 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Independence High Magnet, with 490 students.
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence Leadership AcademyLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–6 | Grades PK–6 | 548 | C− |
| Independence High MagnetLargest public high schoolGrades 7–12 | Grades 7–12 | 490 | C− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within LA on state tests and graduation
40% of adults feel lonely in Independence. Independence beats the Louisiana average on 0 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 12. 18% of adults have diabetes in Independence.
| Independence | Louisiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 40% | 37% | 33% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 16% | 12% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 46% | 44% | 35% |
| Food insecurity (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 26% | 14% |
| What stands out | Independence | LA |
|---|---|---|
| More adults facing food insecurity | 28.6% | 22.5% |
| More adults facing housing insecurity | 21.3% | 16.8% |
| More adults facing a utility shut-off | 15.6% | 12.4% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 94% of U.S. communities. Since 1979, 27 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Independence.
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Independence has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. The July high in Independence is 92°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Most working residents leave Independence for work: only 4% work in town. Independence’s median household income is $40,000. The top destinations are Hammond (15%), Amite City (11%) and Baton Rouge (8%).
| Independence | Louisiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $40,000 | $56,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 3.9% | 9.8% | 8% |
| Average trip to work | 27 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
The typical Independence home is worth about $192,000, up 4.2% in a year, 10% below the Louisiana typical home. 55% of Independence households own their home.
| Independence | Louisiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 55% | 68% | 73% |
| Median rent | $964 a month | $990 a month | $1,185 a month |
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
1 within 15 miles of the center of Independence
About 4 of every 100 Independence residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Louisiana.
11 notable people were born in Independence.
Town in Louisiana, United States
Independence, originally known as Uncle Sam, is a town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,665 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hammond MSA.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
That is 3.4 years of the area's median household income ($56,760 across the Hammond, LA metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B.
11 notable people were born here, including Donald Dykes and Harry Wilson.