St. James Parish, LA Property Tax: $1,043/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in St. James Parish is 0.53% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $197,800, that works out to about $1,048 per year, or $87 per month. St. James Parish is located in southeastern Louisiana, and is home to approximately 19,797 residents.
About St. James Parish
St. James Parish covers approximately 237.9 square miles in Louisiana. The county is home to about 19,797 residents living in roughly 8,651 housing units, of which 73.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $64,536, and the median home was built in 1985.
St. James Parish borders Ascension Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafourche Parish, St. John the Baptist Parish — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Louisiana
Property taxes in Louisiana are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Louisiana offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the St. James Parish Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
St. James Parish vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. James Parish, LA | 0.53% | $197,800 | $1,048 |
| Louisiana state average | 0.42% | — | $831* |
| Ascension Parish | 0.53% | $265,300 | $1,419 |
| Assumption Parish | 0.43% | $141,200 | $609 |
| Lafourche Parish | 0.50% | $190,800 | $951 |
| St. John the Baptist Parish | 0.45% | $184,000 | $829 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at St. James Parish's median home value of $197,800. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does St. James Parish's property tax rate compare to the rest of Louisiana?
At 0.53%, St. James Parish is higher than the Louisiana state average of 0.42%. On a home at the county median of $197,800, that means about $1,048 per year — versus $831 at the state average rate, a difference of $217 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, St. James Parish is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in St. James Parish?
For a home at the county median value of $197,800, the annual property tax in St. James Parish is approximately $1,048 — or about $87 per month. For a home worth $296,700, expect around $1,573 per year. For a $395,600 home, approximately $2,097 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a St. James Parish property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in St. James Parish are handled by the St. James Parish Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in St. James Parish?
Louisiana counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.53% shown here. Contact the St. James Parish Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File