Moving to Louisiana

Louisiana, otherwise known as ‘The Pelican State’, is a fabulous state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to LA, we have created a detailed list of some important facts and useful information to help make your move an easy transition.

Geography

Located in the West South Central Region of the country, Louisiana is bordered by Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas. With a total land area of over 51,839.70 Square Miles, it comes in as the 19th smallest state.

Population

Currently, the population of LA is 4,681,666 making it the 25th most populated state in the union and the 23rd most densely populated. The state capital, Baton Rouge, has a population of 224097. which is the 15th largest capital in the country.

Notable Louisianians

Louisiana is home to numerous famous and some infamous citizens such as, Louis Armstrong a notable musician is from New Orleans and Geoffrey Beene a notable fashion designer is from Haynesville. Others include people like Truman Capote a writer and Kitty Carlisle a singer actress .

Climate

Louisiana is located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and on the southern end of the vast, relatively flat plains of central North America, which extend from the Arctic Circle to the Gulf of Mexico. The state is therefore exposed to the influences of diverse air masses, including the warm, moist air over the Gulf of Mexico as well as dry continental air masses, which are cold in the winter and warm in the summer. Relatively short, mild winters, hot summers, and year-round precipitation characterize Louisiana’s climate. The Gulf of Mexico helps to moderate the climate in the southern portion of the state, while temperatures and precipitation are more variable in the north.

Crime Statistics

Safety and security should always be an important factor when relocating to a new state. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the safety of its resident, it highly affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Louisiana’s violent crime rate is 51 per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 345per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 248.7.

Louisiana ranks #7 in the US for violent crime and #5 for property crime.

Schools & Education

Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Louisiana’s educational system.

Overall Grade: D+

Louisiana spends on average $11774.00 per pupil, which is less than the national average ($11,900). LA ranks #45 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While LA ranks #45 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 77.50%%.

Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Louisiana ranks #11 with over 50.10% of children attending a early educational program.

Taxes

The current income tax rate for Louisiana is 3.62% which ranks 11th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. LA’s rate is $20.60 which ranks 7th in the US.

Currently, LA sales tax is $36.63 for which it comes in as 26th compared to other states.

Sports

Louisiana fans are not only passionate but also very unwavering to their local major league teams. Louisiana is home to the following teams: the New Orleans Pelicans, and the New Orleans Saints .

Utility Companies

Before you move to Louisiana, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in LA.

Other Resources

For more information about moving to Louisiana, visit their website at http://www.state.la.us/