#1Jena
LaSalle Parish · 4,229 peopleStrongest: cost of living A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C+
A+Cost–SafetyASchoolsB−HealthB−JobsB−WalkC+Hazards
Jena, #1 on this list · Photo: Rgmccoy04 at English Wikipedia · Public domainLouisiana rankings · 2026
Best small towns in Louisiana
Jena ranks first of Louisiana’s 107 graded small towns (2,500–9,999 residents), with an A: cost of living (A+) and schools (A) are its strongest grades; hazard risk (C+) is its lowest. 3 of the 107 (3%) grade A− or better nationally, against 25% of U.S. towns.
The overall grade, sorted: cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability and hazard risk, from Census, FBI, state, CDC, EPA and FEMA data. How grades work
#1A
#3Addis
West Baton Rouge Parish · 7,679 peopleStrongest: jobs & income A+, safety A−·lowest: walkability D
BCostA−SafetyB+SchoolsBHealthA+JobsDWalkBHazards
#4Denham Springs
Livingston Parish · 9,378 peopleStrongest: schools A, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
A−Cost–SafetyASchoolsC+HealthBJobsB+WalkD−Hazards
Where they are: Two of the top 10 are in West Baton Rouge Parish.
All 107 small towns
Overall score, highest first. The score (0–100) blends the seven livability grades and sets the order; the letter places that score among every U.S. town of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbors on the list often share a letter. Each town links to its page, where the grade sheet shows every subject. The rank is the town’s place among all 161 Louisiana towns.
107 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownScoreGradeWhat drives it
1JenaLaSalle Parish · 4,229 people68.8top 8.8%AStrongest: cost of living A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C+
3AddisWest Baton Rouge Parish · 7,679 people66.0top 14.5%AStrongest: jobs & income A+, safety A−·lowest: walkability D
4Denham SpringsLivingston Parish · 9,378 people64.2top 18.5%A−Strongest: schools A, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
5Lake ArthurJefferson Davis Parish · 2,569 people60.8top 27.3%B+Strongest: cost of living A+, safety A·lowest: health D−
6Elmwoodunincorporated, Jefferson Parish · 6,077 people59.7top 30.1%B+Strongest: health A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
8WelshJefferson Davis Parish · 3,286 people59.3top 31.3%B+Strongest: cost of living A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk D−
10Prienunincorporated, Calcasieu Parish · 7,119 people58.8top 32.4%B+Strongest: schools A−, health B+·lowest: hazard risk D
11Abita SpringsSt. Tammany Parish · 2,753 people58.2top 33.9%B+Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
12BruslyWest Baton Rouge Parish · 2,614 people57.4top 36.1%BStrongest: schools B+, health B·lowest: walkability D
13Hahnvilleunincorporated, St. Charles Parish · 3,520 people56.9top 37.7%BStrongest: jobs & income A, schools A·lowest: hazard risk D−
14South Vacherieunincorporated, St. James Parish · 2,954 people56.8top 37.9%BStrongest: jobs & income A−, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
15Miltonunincorporated, Lafayette Parish · 2,793 people56.5top 38.7%BStrongest: schools A−, health B+·lowest: hazard risk D
16DeQuincyCalcasieu Parish · 2,878 people56.3top 39.2%BStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability A·lowest: hazard risk D
17HarahanJefferson Parish · 8,916 people56.3top 39.3%BStrongest: walkability A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
20SterlingtonOuachita Parish · 2,663 people55.4top 41.6%BStrongest: hazard risk A, schools A−·lowest: cost of living C
22WestlakeCalcasieu Parish · 4,763 people54.4top 44.3%BStrongest: schools A−, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk D
23Red Chuteunincorporated, Bossier Parish · 6,526 people54.1top 44.9%BStrongest: schools A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: walkability D
25MauriceVermilion Parish · 3,215 people53.9top 45.6%B−Strongest: schools A, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
26StonewallDe Soto Parish · 2,716 people53.2top 47.5%B−Strongest: schools A, hazard risk B+·lowest: walkability C−
27Chackbayunincorporated, Lafourche Parish · 5,436 people53.1top 48.0%B−Strongest: schools A−, cost of living B+·lowest: walkability D−
29Carlyssunincorporated, Calcasieu Parish · 4,412 people52.5top 49.6%B−Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D
30St. Roseunincorporated, St. Charles Parish · 7,644 people52.3bottom 49.7%B−Strongest: schools A, walkability B+·lowest: hazard risk D
31MansfieldDe Soto Parish · 4,475 people52.2bottom 49.4%B−Strongest: schools A, cost of living A−·lowest: health D−
32WalkerLivingston Parish · 6,476 people52.1bottom 49.2%B−Strongest: schools A, cost of living B·lowest: hazard risk D−
33Racelandunincorporated, Lafourche Parish · 9,585 people51.6bottom 47.7%B−Strongest: cost of living A, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
34BallRapides Parish · 3,793 people51.5bottom 47.5%B−Strongest: walkability A−, schools A−·lowest: health C−
36BerwickSt. Mary Parish · 4,455 people50.9bottom 45.9%B−Strongest: cost of living A, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D
37Merauxunincorporated, St. Bernard Parish · 7,918 people50.8bottom 45.9%B−Strongest: schools A−, cost of living B·lowest: hazard risk D−
38Lacombeunincorporated, St. Tammany Parish · 6,310 people50.6bottom 45.2%B−Strongest: cost of living A, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
39Cut Offunincorporated, Lafourche Parish · 5,398 people50.5bottom 45.1%B−Strongest: cost of living A, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
40LutcherSt. James Parish · 2,822 people50.0bottom 43.7%C+Strongest: schools A−, walkability B+·lowest: hazard risk D
41Laroseunincorporated, Lafourche Parish · 5,515 people49.7bottom 42.7%C+Strongest: cost of living A, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
42GramblingLincoln Parish · 5,314 people49.5bottom 42.1%C+Strongest: schools A, hazard risk B+·lowest: jobs & income C−
43Norcounincorporated, St. Charles Parish · 2,781 people49.4bottom 41.9%C+Strongest: schools A, walkability B·lowest: hazard risk D−
44Gallianounincorporated, Lafourche Parish · 5,906 people49.3bottom 41.7%C+Strongest: cost of living A, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
48JeaneretteIberia Parish · 4,484 people48.2bottom 38.5%C+Strongest: cost of living A−, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
49RayneAcadia Parish · 6,995 people48.0bottom 37.8%C+Strongest: cost of living A−, schools A−·lowest: health D−
51Schrieverunincorporated, Terrebonne Parish · 6,690 people47.6bottom 36.8%C+Strongest: schools A−, cost of living B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
53Lafourche Crossingunincorporated, Lafourche Parish · 2,790 people47.2bottom 35.8%C+Strongest: schools A−, cost of living B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
56BlanchardCaddo Parish · 3,360 people46.8bottom 34.8%CStrongest: safety B+, hazard risk B·lowest: health C−
57Swartzunincorporated, Ouachita Parish · 4,110 people46.6bottom 34.4%CStrongest: hazard risk A, schools A−·lowest: walkability D
58KaplanVermilion Parish · 4,116 people46.6bottom 34.3%CStrongest: schools A, cost of living B+·lowest: health D−
59St. MartinvilleSt. Martin Parish · 5,229 people46.6bottom 34.3%CStrongest: cost of living A−, walkability A−·lowest: health D−
61Brownsvilleunincorporated, Ouachita Parish · 4,357 people46.2bottom 33.6%CStrongest: schools A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D−
62Eden Isleunincorporated, St. Tammany Parish · 7,683 people46.2bottom 33.4%CStrongest: schools A−, health B·lowest: hazard risk D−
63GreenwoodCaddo Parish · 3,077 people46.1bottom 33.2%CStrongest: jobs & income A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
64DonaldsonvilleAscension Parish · 7,094 people46.1bottom 33.1%CStrongest: schools A, cost of living B+·lowest: health D−
65ScottLafayette Parish · 9,635 people46.0bottom 33.0%CStrongest: schools A−, cost of living B·lowest: hazard risk D
68Grayunincorporated, Terrebonne Parish · 5,154 people45.9bottom 32.5%CStrongest: cost of living A−, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
69FranklinSt. Mary Parish · 6,224 people45.6bottom 31.8%CStrongest: schools A−, cost of living B+·lowest: health D−
70Jeffersonunincorporated, Jefferson Parish · 9,703 people45.5bottom 31.6%CStrongest: walkability A, schools B·lowest: hazard risk D−
71PlaquemineIberville Parish · 5,891 people45.3bottom 30.9%CStrongest: walkability A, cost of living A−·lowest: safety D−
72DeRidderBeauregard Parish · 9,503 people45.2bottom 30.8%CStrongest: cost of living A−, schools A−·lowest: jobs & income D
73Chauvinunincorporated, Terrebonne Parish · 2,502 people45.1bottom 30.4%CStrongest: cost of living A+, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
74JacksonEast Feliciana Parish · 3,904 people44.9bottom 29.9%CStrongest: cost of living A+, schools B+·lowest: jobs & income D
75New RoadsPointe Coupee Parish · 4,216 people44.8bottom 29.6%CStrongest: cost of living A, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D−
76Eastwoodunincorporated, Bossier Parish · 4,440 people44.7bottom 29.6%CStrongest: schools A−, jobs & income B·lowest: health D
78GramercySt. James Parish · 2,689 people44.5bottom 29.0%CStrongest: schools A−, cost of living B·lowest: hazard risk D
79LeesvilleVernon Parish · 5,210 people44.1bottom 28.1%CStrongest: schools A, cost of living B+·lowest: health D−
80Port AllenWest Baton Rouge Parish · 5,015 people44.1bottom 28.1%CStrongest: cost of living A−, walkability B+·lowest: safety D−
81Bawcomvilleunincorporated, Ouachita Parish · 2,804 people44.1bottom 28.0%CStrongest: schools A−, cost of living B·lowest: health D−
82Church PointAcadia Parish · 4,036 people43.9bottom 27.7%CStrongest: cost of living A−, schools A−·lowest: health D−
83RichwoodOuachita Parish · 3,834 people43.9bottom 27.6%CStrongest: hazard risk A, schools A−·lowest: health D−
84Amite CityTangipahoa Parish · 4,081 people43.6bottom 26.8%CStrongest: cost of living A, schools B−·lowest: hazard risk D
85St. GabrielIberville Parish · 6,987 people43.5bottom 26.6%CStrongest: schools B+, cost of living B·lowest: hazard risk D
86Arabiunincorporated, St. Bernard Parish · 4,625 people43.2bottom 26.0%CStrongest: schools A−, walkability A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
87OakdaleAllen Parish · 6,526 people43.1bottom 25.6%CStrongest: schools A−, cost of living B·lowest: jobs & income D−
88Breaux BridgeSt. Martin Parish · 7,652 people43.0bottom 25.5%CStrongest: walkability B+, cost of living B·lowest: health D−
91Ville PlatteEvangeline Parish · 6,172 people42.8bottom 24.9%C−Strongest: walkability A, schools B+·lowest: health D−
93VivianCaddo Parish · 2,920 people42.0bottom 23.2%C−Strongest: cost of living A, hazard risk A−·lowest: health D−
94JenningsJefferson Davis Parish · 9,235 people41.9bottom 23.1%C−Strongest: cost of living A, schools A·lowest: safety D−
97Violetunincorporated, St. Bernard Parish · 4,122 people41.3bottom 21.9%C−Strongest: schools A−, cost of living B·lowest: health D−
100JonesboroJackson Parish · 4,252 people40.7bottom 20.4%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, schools B+·lowest: health D−
101SunsetSt. Landry Parish · 3,194 people40.6bottom 20.3%C−Strongest: schools B, walkability B·lowest: health D
102DelhiRichland Parish · 2,519 people40.6bottom 20.3%C−Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: health D−
103PattersonSt. Mary Parish · 5,565 people40.5bottom 20.1%C−Strongest: schools A−, safety B·lowest: health D−
104Bayou Vistaunincorporated, St. Mary Parish · 3,842 people40.3bottom 19.6%C−Strongest: schools A−, cost of living B·lowest: health D−
106Pearl RiverSt. Tammany Parish · 2,715 people40.1bottom 19.3%C−Strongest: schools A−, cost of living B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
107MamouEvangeline Parish · 2,830 people40.0bottom 19.0%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, schools B+·lowest: health D−
108Bridge Cityunincorporated, Jefferson Parish · 7,297 people39.8bottom 18.7%C−Strongest: walkability B+, cost of living B·lowest: health D−
109SpringhillWebster Parish · 4,437 people39.7bottom 18.5%C−Strongest: walkability A−, schools B+·lowest: health D−
110BunkieAvoyelles Parish · 3,138 people39.4bottom 18.0%C−Strongest: walkability A, schools B+·lowest: health D−
111Monticellounincorporated, East Baton Rouge Parish · 3,999 people39.3bottom 17.8%C−Strongest: jobs & income B, schools B−·lowest: hazard risk D
112Lakeshoreunincorporated, Ouachita Parish · 3,437 people39.2bottom 17.6%C−Strongest: hazard risk A, schools A−·lowest: health D−
113FerridayConcordia Parish · 2,984 people39.2bottom 17.5%C−Strongest: hazard risk A, walkability B·lowest: health D−
116IowaCalcasieu Parish · 3,301 people38.2bottom 15.5%C−Strongest: schools A−, walkability B−·lowest: safety D−
117RayvilleRichland Parish · 3,176 people37.6bottom 14.6%DStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B+·lowest: health D−
118VintonCalcasieu Parish · 3,115 people37.5bottom 14.3%DStrongest: schools A−, cost of living B+·lowest: health D−
119ArcadiaBienville Parish · 2,534 people37.3bottom 14.0%DStrongest: schools B+, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D−
120WinnfieldWinn Parish · 4,480 people37.2bottom 13.9%DStrongest: cost of living A−, walkability A−·lowest: health D−
121PonchatoulaTangipahoa Parish · 7,755 people37.2bottom 13.8%DStrongest: cost of living B+, schools B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
124WinnsboroFranklin Parish · 4,566 people36.8bottom 13.3%DStrongest: hazard risk B+, cost of living B+·lowest: health D−
125EuniceSt. Landry Parish · 9,035 people36.8bottom 13.2%DStrongest: walkability A, schools B·lowest: health D−
132WestwegoJefferson Parish · 8,317 people35.7bottom 11.5%DStrongest: schools B, walkability B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
139HaughtonBossier Parish · 4,828 people34.0bottom 9.4%DStrongest: schools A−, hazard risk C+·lowest: walkability D
140Avondaleunincorporated, Jefferson Parish · 4,608 people33.3bottom 8.5%DStrongest: cost of living B, schools B·lowest: health D−
141FarmervilleUnion Parish · 3,432 people32.3bottom 7.3%DStrongest: walkability B+, cost of living B+·lowest: health D−
142VidaliaConcordia Parish · 3,925 people32.2bottom 7.1%DStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability B·lowest: health D−
145BastropMorehouse Parish · 8,908 people31.5bottom 6.3%DStrongest: walkability A−, cost of living B·lowest: health D−
147MarksvilleAvoyelles Parish · 4,744 people30.1bottom 4.9%D−Strongest: schools B+, walkability B+·lowest: safety D−
148Reserveunincorporated, St. John the Baptist Parish · 7,791 people29.9bottom 4.7%D−Strongest: cost of living B, schools C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
150FranklintonWashington Parish · 3,576 people29.4bottom 4.2%D−Strongest: walkability A−, schools B+·lowest: health D−
152HomerClaiborne Parish · 2,520 people28.7bottom 3.8%D−Strongest: schools B, cost of living C+·lowest: health D−
154Brownfieldsunincorporated, East Baton Rouge Parish · 4,261 people28.0bottom 3.3%D−Strongest: schools B, cost of living C+·lowest: health D−
155TallulahMadison Parish · 5,517 people27.6bottom 3.0%D−Strongest: cost of living B−, hazard risk B−·lowest: health D−
158Merrydaleunincorporated, East Baton Rouge Parish · 9,490 people25.4bottom 1.8%D−Strongest: schools B−, walkability C·lowest: health D−
160Lake ProvidenceEast Carroll Parish · 3,147 people23.0bottom 1.0%D−Strongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B·lowest: jobs & income D−
Method
How this list is made
Each town’s overall grade blends seven livability grades: cost of living (weight 18), safety (18), schools (16), health (14), jobs & income (12), walkability (8) and hazard risk (4). A town needs 2,500+ residents and three of the first four. Letters are national, so an A here means the same as an A in any state; the list is the same towns in the same order, ranked within Louisiana. Towns without their own FBI figures are graded on the rest and their page says why.
Data years: crime 2023–2025 (FBI), Census ACS 2020–2024, CDC PLACES 2025, state school tests. How grades work
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best small town in Louisiana?
Among 107 graded towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents, Jena (LaSalle Parish) ranks first, with an A; cost of living (A+) and schools (A) are its strongest grades; hazard risk (C+) is its lowest. Addis and Denham Springs follow.
How are these towns ranked?
By the overall grade, which blends seven livability grades from public data. The letter is national; the rank is within Louisiana. The full method is on How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents with an overall grade (107 in Louisiana). 93 smaller places have subject grades only; 1 town of 2,500+ lack enough data for a grade; Larger towns are on the best places to live list. Every town is on the Louisiana page.
Go deeper
All Louisiana rankings →More Louisiana lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live161 towns · #1 JenaMost affordable towns161 towns · #1 WelshSafest towns46 towns · #1 Lake ArthurTowns with the best schools162 towns · #1 ZacharyHealthiest towns161 towns · #1 ElmwoodBest towns for jobs & income161 towns · #1 AddisMost walkable towns161 towns · #1 New OrleansTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk162 towns · #1 PinevilleBest towns for the outdoors162 towns · #1 St. MartinvilleMost historic towns161 towns · #1 New OrleansTowns with the most civic life105 towns · #1 VintonTowns with the mildest winters159 towns · #1 GallianoDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers159 towns · #1 Benton and 4 moreDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers159 towns · #1 Franklin and VioletDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes160 towns · #1 BroussardDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes157 towns · #1 Abbeville and 23 moreDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns104 towns · #1 CarencroDescribed, no letters
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