2023 St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Demographics | Data & Analysis

Ready-to-use reports, analytics, and visualizations covering St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, including population, race, income, and more. Based on 2023 American Community Survey Estimates.

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Key Demographic Statistics (2023 Estimates)

Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS).

Total Population
48,455
Median Age
39.7 years
Median Household Income
$51,768
Median Property Value
$128,000
Bachelor's Degree+
13.12%
Uninsured Rate
6.8%
Total Households
18,705
Total Workers
19,550
Citizenship Rate
97.0%
Total Veterans
1,852
Top Veteran Era
Vietnam Era Only
Poverty Rate
18.6%
Families in Poverty
2,297
SNAP Recipients
22.30%
Households w/ SNAP
4,171

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution (2023)

Population pyramid for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana showing male vs female age distribution based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: Population distribution by age and sex in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Key Demographic Indicators for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The following statistics highlight St. Mary Parish, Louisiana population and median age, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Total Population
48,455
Median Age (Total)
39.7 years
Median Age (Male)
39.2 years
Median Age (Female)
40.7 years

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Population Age Distribution 2023

Table 1: Percentage distribution of population by age group in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Age CohortShare of Population
Under 5 years6.68%
5–17 years (Children)17.67%
18–24 years (Young Adults)7.63%
25–34 years11.52%
35–54 years23.86%
55–64 years14.69%
65 years and over (Seniors)17.96%

Dependency Ratios Analysis

Total Dependency Ratio
73.35
Youth Dependency Ratio
42.21 Population under 18 relative to working age (18-64).
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
31.14 Population 65+ relative to working age (18-64).

A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support non-working age groups.


What is the Racial and Ethnic Breakdown of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana (2023)?

Pie chart showing the racial and ethnic composition of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: Racial and ethnic breakdown of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Diversity & Cultural Composition of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The racial makeup and ethnic composition of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana are detailed below, drawing from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 ACS Estimates.

Diversity Index Score
61.43
Diversity Tier
high
Definition
The probability that two individuals chosen at random from St. Mary Parish, Louisiana will be from different racial or ethnic groups.

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Population by Race/Ethnicity

Table 1: Population Percentage by Racial and Ethnic Group in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Racial/Ethnic GroupPercentage
White Alone (Non-Hispanic)53.94%
Black/African American Alone28.88%
Hispanic or Latino (Any Race)9.36%
Two or More Races4.67%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone1.55%
Asian Alone1.31%
Some Other Race Alone0.27%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone0.02%

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Economic Demographics: Household Income Statistics (2023)

Bar chart showing household income distribution brackets for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: Household income distribution in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Economic Snapshot for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The following data illustrates the financial landscape of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Median Household Income
$51,768 (Adjusted for inflation)
Total Households Analyzed
18,705

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Household Income Distribution by Income Brackets

Table 1: Percentage distribution of household income in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Annual Income RangeShare of Households
Less than $20,00021.10%
$20,000 to $34,99915.55%
$35,000 to $49,99911.81%
$50,000 to $74,99916.92%
$75,000 to $149,99925.84%
$150,000 or more8.79%

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Real Estate Demographics: Property Values (2023)

Line chart showing property value distribution for owner-occupied homes in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: Property value distribution in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Real Estate Market Snapshot for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The following data highlights the distribution of owner-occupied housing values in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Median Property Value
$128,000
Total Properties Analyzed
13,064 (Owner-occupied units)

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Property Value Brackets

Table 1: Percentage distribution of property values in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Value RangeShare of Properties
Less than $25,00014.34%
$25,000 to $49,9996.33%
$50,000 to $99,99918.01%
$100,000 to $199,99933.73%
$200,000 to $499,99923.87%
$500,000 to $999,9993.30%
$1,000,000 or more0.41%

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Educational Attainment Statistics (2023)

Treemap chart illustrating educational attainment levels for adults 25+ in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: Educational breakdown in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Education Snapshot for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The following statistics represent the educational background of residents aged 25 and older in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

High School Graduate or Higher
80.59%
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
13.12%
Total Population Analyzed (25+)
32,961

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Education Levels

Table 1: Detailed educational attainment distribution in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Education LevelShare of Population (25+)
Less than high school graduate19.41%
High school graduate (incl. equivalency)46.02%
Some college or associate's degree21.44%
Bachelor's Degree8.82%
Graduate or professional degree4.30%

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Health Insurance Coverage Statistics (2023)

Pyramid chart showing health insurance coverage distribution by age and sex in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: Health insurance coverage gaps in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Healthcare Coverage Snapshot for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The following data illustrates the health coverage landscape of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Overall Uninsured Rate
6.8%
Total Uninsured Population
3,241
Total Civilian Population
47,765

The uninsured rates vary significantly by demographic group. Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare.

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Uninsured Rates by Demographics

Table 1: Uninsured Rates by Age Group and Sex in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Age GroupMale Uninsured %Female Uninsured %
Under 181.2%2.2%
18-34 years17.6%6.9%
35-64 years13.2%7.4%
65+ years0.2%2.1%

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Nativity & Citizenship Statistics (2023)

Treemap showing population distribution by nativity and citizenship status in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: Citizenship status breakdown in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Citizenship Snapshot for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The following data details the citizenship status and nativity of the population in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

U.S. Citizenship Rate
97.0% (Native-born + Naturalized)
Naturalized Citizens
936 (Foreign-born individuals who acquired citizenship)
Non-Citizen Residents
1,430

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Nativity Breakdown

Table 1: Nativity and Citizenship Distribution in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Nativity/Citizenship StatusPercentage
Born in the United States94.8%
Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas0.3%
Born abroad of American parent(s)0.1%
U.S. citizen by naturalization1.9%
Not a U.S. citizen3.0%
Total U.S. Citizens 97.0%

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Commuting & Transportation Statistics (2023)

Treemap chart illustrating how workers in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana commute to work based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: Commute mode split in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Commuter Snapshot for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The following data details the commuting habits of the workforce in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Drove to Work (Car/Truck/Van)
92.2%
Public Transportation Usage
0.0%
Work From Home Rate
5.2%
Total Workers Analyzed
19,218

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Commute Breakdown

Table 1: Commuting Methods Distribution in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Transportation MethodPercentageNumber of Workers
Car, truck, or van92.2%17,727
Public transportation0.0%1
Bicycle0.5%100
Walked1.3%242
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means0.7%142
Worked from home5.2%1,006
Total Workers- 19,218

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Employment by Class of Worker (2023)

Bar chart showing employment distribution by class of worker (Private, Government, Self-Employed) in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: Workforce composition in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Workforce Snapshot for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The following statistics categorize the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana by their employment sector, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Total Employed Civilian Population
19,550
Private Sector (Profit & Non-Profit)
Includes For-Profit and Non-Profit organizations
Government Workers
Includes Local, State, and Federal employees
Self-Employed Workers
Includes own not incorporated business workers

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Employment Sector Breakdown

Table 1: Employment Distribution by Class of Worker and Sex in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Employment ClassMale WorkersFemale Workers
Private For-Profit8,652 (44.3%)6,091 (31.2%)
Private Non-Profit249 (1.3%)631 (3.2%)
Government (All Levels)831 (4.3%)2,115 (10.8%)
• Local Government6081,413
• State Government144631
• Federal Government7971
Self-Employed646 (3.3%)326 (1.7%)

Definitions: "Private sector" includes employees of for-profit and non-profit companies. "Government" includes all local, state, and federal employees. "Self-employed" refers to those operating their own unincorporated businesses.


St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Veteran Population & Service Statistics (2023)

Bar chart showing the distribution of veterans by period of military service in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: Veteran service eras in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Veteran Community Snapshot for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The following data details the civilian veteran population aged 18 and over in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Total Civilian Veterans
1,852
Primary Service Era
Vietnam Era Only
651 veterans (35.2%)

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Service Period Breakdown

Table 1: Veteran Distribution by Period of Military Service in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Period of ServiceNumber of VeteransPercentage
Vietnam Era Only (August 1964 to April 1975)65135.2%
Gulf War Only (August 1990 to August 2001)42422.9%
Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era1849.9%
Post-9/11 Only (September 2001 or later)1739.3%
Between Vietnam Era and Korean War1498.0%
Korean War Only (July 1950 to January 1955)1417.6%
Post-9/11 and Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001)1065.7%
Post-9/11, Gulf War, and Vietnam Era110.6%
Gulf War and Vietnam Era70.4%
Vietnam Era, Korean War, and World War II60.3%
Total Veterans1,852100.0%

Note: Periods of service include World War II (Dec 1941–Dec 1946), Korean War (Jul 1950–Jan 1955), Vietnam Era (Aug 1964–Apr 1975), Gulf War (Aug 1990–Aug 2001), and Post-9/11 (Sept 2001 or later). Veterans may have served in multiple eras.


St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Family Poverty & Income Statistics (2023)

Bar chart showing family distribution by income-to-poverty ratio in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: Family economic status in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Family Economic Security Snapshot for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The following data categorizes families in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana by their income relative to the federal poverty threshold, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Families Below Poverty Line (<100%)
18.6% (2,297 families)
Families Near Poverty (100-199%)
35.2% (4,346 families)
Families with Secure Income (200%+)
46.3% (5,721 families)

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Income-to-Poverty Ratio Breakdown

Table 1: Family Distribution by Income-to-Poverty Ratio in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Income-to-Poverty Ratio CategoryNumber of FamiliesPercentage
Below 50% of Poverty1,1269.1%
50-74% of Poverty5134.1%
75-99% of Poverty6585.3%
100-124% of Poverty5784.7%
125-149% of Poverty4813.9%
150-174% of Poverty5014.1%
175-184% of Poverty2892.3%
185-199% of Poverty2732.2%
200-299% of Poverty2,22418.0%
300-399% of Poverty1,71113.8%
400-499% of Poverty1,40911.4%
500%+ of Poverty2,60121.0%
Total Families12,364100.0%

Definition: The "Income-to-Poverty Ratio" measures a family's income against the federal poverty threshold. A ratio below 1.00 means the family is in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 indicate low income ("near poverty"), while ratios of 2.00 or higher suggest greater economic security.


St. Mary Parish, Louisiana SNAP/Food Stamps Statistics (2023)

Stacked bar chart showing SNAP recipient household composition by presence of children in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure 1: SNAP household demographics in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

SNAP Participation Snapshot for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

The following data details household participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Total Households Receiving SNAP
4,171 (22.30% of all households)
Recipient Households with Children
1,894 (45.41% of recipients)
Total Households Analyzed
18,705

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana SNAP Recipient Demographics

Table 1: SNAP Recipient Household Composition in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2023
Household TypeWith Children Under 18No Children Under 18
Married-Couple Family571 (13.69%)346 (8.30%)
Male Householder, No Spouse102 (2.45%)120 (2.88%)
Female Householder, No Spouse1,217 (29.18%)317 (7.60%)
Nonfamily Households4 (0.10%)1,494 (35.82%)

About this data: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to low-income families. Households with children often face higher participation rates due to eligibility guidelines prioritizing child nutrition. "Nonfamily households" typically refer to individuals living alone or with unrelated roommates.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The age breakdown for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana is as follows: Under 5: 6.68%, Ages 5–17: 17.67%, Ages 18–24: 7.63%, Ages 25–34: 11.52%, Ages 35–54: 23.86%, Ages 55–64: 14.69%, and 65 or older: 17.96%.

The racial and ethnic composition of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana is dominated by: White Alone (Non-Hispanic): 53.94%, Black/African American Alone: 28.88%, Hispanic or Latino (Any Race): 9.36%. The complete breakdown includes 8 distinct racial and ethnic categories.

The median household income in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana is $51,768. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the area, meaning half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less.

The household income distribution in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana is: Very Low Income (under $20,000): 21.10%, Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 15.55%, Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 11.81%, Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 16.92%, Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 25.84%, High Income ($150,000+): 8.79%.

Approximately 24.27% of households in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana earn over $100,000 annually. This includes households earning between $100,000 and $124,999, $125,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and $199,999, and $200,000 or more.

The median property value for owner-occupied housing units in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana is $128,000. This represents the midpoint of all property values in the area, meaning half of homes are valued above this amount and half are valued below. The median is a better indicator of typical home values than the average because it is not skewed by extremely high or low property values.

The property value distribution for owner-occupied housing units in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana is: Less than $25,000: 14.34%, $25,000-$49,999: 6.33%, $50,000-$99,999: 18.01%, $100,000-$199,999: 33.73%, $200,000-$499,999: 23.87%, $500,000-$999,999: 3.30%, $1,000,000 or more: 0.41%.

There are 13,064 owner-occupied housing units in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. This represents homes that are owned by the people living in them, as opposed to rental properties or vacant units.

Approximately 3.71% of owner-occupied housing units in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana are valued over $500,000. This includes properties valued between $500,000 and $749,999, $750,000 and $999,999, $1,000,000 and $1,499,999, $1,500,000 and $1,999,999, and $2,000,000 or more.

In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 13.12% of the population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes those with bachelor's degrees as well as those with graduate or professional degrees.

The educational attainment breakdown for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana (population 25+) is: Less than high school graduate: 19.41%, High school graduate (including equivalency): 46.02%, Some college or associate's degree: 21.44%, Bachelor's degree: 8.82%, Graduate or professional degree: 4.30%.

In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 80.59% of the population aged 25 and older has completed at least a high school education. This includes high school graduates, those with some college, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees.

In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 6.8% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 3,241 individuals out of a total population of 47,765 people.

The uninsured rates vary by age group in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. For young adults (18-34 years), 17.6% of males and 6.9% of females lack coverage. In the 35-64 age group, 13.2% of males and 7.4% of females are uninsured. These working-age populations typically face different coverage challenges than children or seniors.

Children under 18 in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana have uninsured rates of 1.2% for males and 2.2% for females. Seniors aged 65 and older, who are typically covered by Medicare, have uninsured rates of 0.2% for males and 2.1% for females. These age groups generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs.

In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 97.0% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes native-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Out of a total population of 48,455 people, 47,025 are U.S. citizens.

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana has 936 naturalized U.S. citizens, representing 1.9% of the total population. These are foreign-born individuals who have gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

The nativity and citizenship breakdown for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana is: 94.8% were born in the United States, 0.3% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, 0.1% were born abroad of American parent(s), 1.9% are foreign-born naturalized U.S. citizens, and 3.0% are foreign-born non-citizens.

In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 92.2% of workers commute by car, truck, or van, making it the most common means of transportation to work. Out of 19,218 total workers, 17,727 use personal vehicles for their commute.

1 workers in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana use public transportation (excluding taxicabs) to commute to work, representing 0.0% of all workers. This includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries.

Alternative commute methods in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana include: 5.2% work from home, 1.3% walk to work, 0.5% bicycle, and 0.7% use other means such as taxicabs or motorcycles. These alternatives to driving alone help reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

"Class of worker" refers to the type of employer or work arrangement for employed civilians aged 16 and over in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. It categorizes workers into private sector (for-profit and non-profit), government (local, state, and federal), self-employed, and unpaid family workers. This classification helps understand the employment structure and economic composition of the workforce.

According to the American Community Survey, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana has 19,550 employed civilians aged 16 and over. The private for-profit sector employs the largest share of workers, with 44.3% of male workers and 31.2% of female workers in this category.

In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, there are 831 male government workers and 2,115 female government workers. Government employment includes local, state, and federal positions. This represents 4.3% of male workers and 10.8% of female workers.

Self-employment in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana includes 646 males (3.3%) and 326 females (1.7%). Self-employed workers operate their own businesses that are not legally incorporated.

In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 4,171 households (22.30% of all households) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months. Out of 18,705 total households, these families rely on this federal nutrition assistance program to help purchase food.

Of the SNAP-receiving households in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 1,894 (45.41%) have children under 18 years. These families face additional nutritional needs and food security challenges as they work to provide adequate nutrition for growing children.

SNAP recipients in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana include diverse household types. Among households with children, 1,217 (29.18%) are headed by a female householder with no spouse present, while 571 (13.69%) are married-couple families. The program also serves households without children, including seniors, disabled individuals, and working adults facing economic challenges.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on household income, resources, and size. In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, SNAP helps eligible households purchase nutritious food at authorized retailers. The program aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, there are 1,852 civilian veterans aged 18 and over living in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. These individuals have served on active duty in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. This number does not include those with only National Guard or Reserves training without active duty service.

The most common period of military service for veterans in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana is Vietnam Era Only, with 651 veterans (35.2% of all veterans) who served during this period. The second most common period is Gulf War Only, with 424 veterans (22.9%).

"Period of service" categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Major periods include World War II (December 1941-December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950-January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964-April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990-August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Veterans may have served during multiple periods. Understanding the distribution of service periods helps communities in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana provide appropriate services and support to their veteran population.

Veterans who served during the Gulf War era (1990-2001) and Post-9/11 era (2001-present) represent approximately 48.9% of all veterans in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. These more recent-era veterans, totaling around 905 individuals, often have different service experiences and support needs compared to veterans of earlier conflicts. They may benefit from targeted programs addressing issues such as transition to civilian life, employment assistance, and access to VA healthcare services.

In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 2,297 families (18.6% of all families) live below the federal poverty line. This means their household income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau, which varies by family size and composition. Out of 12,364 total families, these households face significant economic challenges meeting basic needs.

"Income-to-poverty ratio" measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold. A ratio of 1.00 (100%) means the family's income equals the poverty line. Below 1.00 indicates poverty, while ratios above 1.00 show income levels relative to poverty. For example, a ratio of 2.00 (200%) means the family earns twice the poverty threshold. In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, this data helps identify not just families in poverty, but also those who are economically vulnerable despite being above the official poverty line.

Beyond families living in poverty, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana has 4,346 families (35.2%) with incomes between 100% and 199% of the poverty level. These families are often called 'near poverty' or low-income households. Specifically, 1,560 families (12.6%) have incomes between 100% and 149% of poverty. While technically above the poverty line, these families often struggle with housing costs, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses, making them economically vulnerable.

In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, 1,126 families (9.1%) live in extreme poverty, with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold. These families face severe economic hardship and often require comprehensive assistance programs. On the other end of the spectrum, 5,721 families (46.3%) have incomes at least 200% above the poverty level, indicating greater financial stability and economic security.