What is the property tax rate in Orleans County?

The combined effective property tax rate in Orleans County, Louisiana is approximately 0.65%.

Orleans County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — Louisiana Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in Orleans County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for New Orleans-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to Orleans Parish — including Louisiana's 10% residential assessment ratio, the generous $75,000 Homestead Exemption (LA Const. Art. VII §20 — exempt from state, parish, and special ad valorem; not from municipal), the Special Assessment Level (SAL) freeze for 65+ with AGI ≤ $102,700 (2026, indexed), and the FULL Disabled Veterans Exemption (100% service-connected). Louisiana uses parishes, not counties — a Napoleonic Code legacy from French colonial Louisiana.

Orleans Parish, home to New Orleans and 370k Louisianians, operates under Louisiana\'s parish-based property tax system. Louisiana uses parishes (not counties — the only US state to do so, a Napoleonic Code legacy from French colonial Louisiana). Residential property is assessed at 10% of fair market value. Tax = (AV − homestead) × millage / 1,000. Combined millage includes parish, municipal, school district, and special district levies. The $75,000 Homestead Exemption (LA Const. Art. VII §20) is among the most-generous in the United States — exempt from state, parish, and special ad valorem taxes (NOT from municipal). Effective rates run ~0.55% statewide median — among the lowest in the US.

How the bill is built

Louisiana property tax follows a 4-step calculation. Step 1: Fair Market Value. The Orleans Parish Louisiana Assessor determines FMV annually. Step 2: Apply 10% AR. AV = FMV × 10%. So a $200K home has AV = $20K. Step 3: Apply $75,000 Homestead Exemption. First $75,000 of FMV (= $7,500 of AV) exempt from parish/state/special ad valorem. Step 4: Apply tax rate. Tax = (AV − $7,500 homestead) × millage / 1,000. Orleans Parish\'s combined millage is ~140 mills (= ~1.40% gross before the homestead, ~0.65% effective post-homestead).

Louisiana\'s $75,000 Homestead Exemption is among the most-generous in the United States — for the median Louisiana home, the homestead often eliminates the entire parish portion of the tax bill. Apply with the parish assessor — automatic renewal as long as owner-occupied. The exemption applies to state, parish, and special ad valorem — but NOT to municipal ad valorem. So homeowners in incorporated cities (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport) still owe city property tax on the first $75K, while homeowners in unincorporated parish areas often owe $0 in property tax for sub-$75K homes.

The Special Assessment Level (SAL) freeze is Louisiana\'s primary senior protection. Owners 65+ with adjusted gross income at or below $102,700 (2026 limit, indexed by CPI from $100K base set by Amendment 6 of 2020) can freeze their AV at the level when first qualified — preventing value-driven tax increases. Note: SAL does NOT cap millage rate increases (so tax bills can still rise if local taxing entities raise rates). Available also for permanently disabled (any age) and surviving spouses of military killed in action / MIA / POW. Apply with parish assessor. Once granted, the freeze continues automatically as long as ownership and occupancy continue and the value does not increase more than 25% due to construction.

Louisiana provides a FULL property tax exemption for 100% service-connected disabled veterans (LA Const. Art. VII §21, effective 2023) — stacks on top of the regular $75,000 Homestead Exemption. Partial-rating vets receive additional FMV exemptions: 50-69% rating = additional $25K FMV; 70-99% rating = additional $45K FMV. Surviving spouses may retain. Apply with parish assessor with current Form A25 from Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

2026 Orleans County rate breakdown (consolidated millage per $1,000 of AV (10% AR × FMV), New Orleans district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Combined parish + municipal + school + special districts (~140 mills × 10% AR = ~0.65% effective post Homestead)	140.0000
Combined total	140.0000

As of April 26, 2026 · From Orleans Parish Louisiana Assessor.

Note: Orleans Parish is **fully consolidated with the City of New Orleans** under a single city-parish government — Louisiana's only consolidated city-parish (similar to other US consolidated city-counties: Indianapolis-Marion, Nashville-Davidson, Louisville-Jefferson, Carson City NV). New Orleans (~370K, the seat — entire population of the parish) is **the largest city in Louisiana** when measured by city limits. New Orleans is one of the most-celebrated cultural cities in the United States — birthplace of **jazz music** (developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from blues, ragtime, and African-American spirituals), the celebrated **French Quarter** (the historic Vieux Carré, founded 1718 — among the oldest preserved urban districts in North America), and the iconic **Mardi Gras** celebration (annual, ending on Fat Tuesday).

Note: Orleans Parish effective property tax rates run approximately **0.65% — moderate by Louisiana standards**, the highest among major Louisiana parishes. Combined parish + municipal + school district + special district millage is ~140 mills (× 10% AR = ~1.40% gross, reduced by Louisiana's $75,000 Homestead Exemption to ~0.65% effective). Median home values around $290K combined with the moderate effective rate produce median annual bills around $1,885.

Note: For relocation buyers: Orleans Parish offers **the most-celebrated cultural urban Louisiana** option — exceptional French Quarter / Garden District / Marigny / Bywater neighborhood preservation, substantial Tulane / Loyola / Xavier / Dillard university culture, the legendary New Orleans food/music/arts scene, and Mississippi River views. The trade-off: substantial hurricane risk (Hurricane Katrina 2005 caused catastrophic flooding — ~80% of the city was inundated; Hurricane Ida 2021 caused major damage), aging infrastructure, substantial crime concerns in some neighborhoods, and the parish has been losing population since Katrina (was ~485K in 2000, down to ~370K in 2024).

Deductions and exemptions for 2026

Louisiana homeowner property tax relief is concentrated in three mechanisms: (1) the $75,000 Homestead Exemption (LA Const. Art. VII §20 — among the most-generous in the United States), (2) the Special Assessment Level (SAL) freeze for owners 65+ with AGI ≤ $102,700 (2026, indexed), and (3) the FULL Disabled Veteran Exemption for 100% service-connected disabled vets (LA Const. Art. VII §21, effective 2023).

$75,000 Homestead Exemption (LA Const. Art. VII §20)

Louisiana\'s $75,000 Homestead Exemption is among the most-generous in the United States — exempts the first $75,000 of fair market value (= $7,500 of AV at 10% AR) from state, parish, and special ad valorem taxes. NOT exempt from municipal ad valorem. For the median Louisiana home (FMV ~$200K), the homestead often eliminates the entire parish portion of the tax bill. Only one homestead exemption per landowner. Apply with parish assessor — automatic renewal as long as owner-occupied.

Special Assessment Level (SAL) — Senior/Disabled Freeze

The SAL is a true AV freeze (not a millage rate cap) for qualifying owners. Eligibility: 65+ with AGI ≤ $102,700 (2026 limit, indexed by CPI from $100K base set by Amendment 6 of 2020); OR permanently disabled (any age); OR surviving spouse of military killed in action / MIA / POW (with income test). Once granted, AV freezes at the level when first qualified. Continues automatically as long as ownership and occupancy continue and value does not increase more than 25% due to construction. Apply with parish assessor.

FULL Disabled Veteran Exemption (100% service-connected)

Louisiana provides a FULL property tax exemption for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled (LA Const. Art. VII §21, effective 2023) — stacks on top of the regular $75,000 Homestead Exemption. Partial-rating vets receive additional FMV exemptions: 50-69% rating = additional $25K FMV; 70-99% rating = additional $45K FMV. Surviving spouses may retain. Apply with parish assessor with current Form A25 from Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

Appealing your assessment

Louisiana property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: Parish Assessor. File written appeal during the open inspection period (typically 15 days in August/September each year — varies by parish). Level 2: Parish Board of Review. If unresolved, appeal to the Parish Board of Review within 3 business days of the open inspection period closing. The Board holds quasi-judicial hearings. Level 3: Louisiana Tax Commission. Board decisions can be appealed to the Louisiana Tax Commission within 10 business days. From there to District Court. Most Louisiana appeals are resolved at Level 1 or Level 2.

Cities and towns in Orleans County

Orleans County contains 1 incorporated municipality, ranging from New Orleans to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside Orleans County is subject to Orleans County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
New Orleans County seat	consolidated_city_parish	370,000

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the New Orleans tax district. Other cities in Orleans County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the Orleans Parish Louisiana Assessor before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are Louisiana property taxes due?

Louisiana property tax bills are typically mailed in November and are due by December 31. Late payments after December 31 accrue interest (1% per month) and the property may be subject to tax sale if delinquent for an extended period (varies by parish). Most Louisiana homeowners pay through escrow via mortgage servicer.

Why does Louisiana use parishes instead of counties?

Louisiana uses parishes — the only US state to do so. The term is a Napoleonic Code legacy from French and Spanish colonial Louisiana, when the Catholic Church\'s ecclesiastical parishes served as administrative subdivisions. When Louisiana was admitted to the United States in 1812, it kept the parish structure. There are 64 parishes in Louisiana. Functionally, parishes are equivalent to counties in other US states — they have parish governments (often called Police Juries, though some parishes use Parish Council government), elected parish assessors (rather than county assessors), and parish-level taxing authority.

How does the $75,000 Homestead Exemption work?

Louisiana\'s $75,000 Homestead Exemption (LA Const. Art. VII §20) is among the most-generous in the United States. It exempts the first $75,000 of fair market value (= $7,500 of AV at 10% AR) from state, parish, and special ad valorem taxes. Note: NOT exempt from municipal ad valorem. So homeowners in incorporated cities (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport) still owe city property tax on the first $75K, while homeowners in unincorporated parish areas often owe $0 in property tax for sub-$75K homes. Apply with parish assessor — automatic renewal as long as owner-occupied.

What is the Special Assessment Level (SAL) freeze?

The Special Assessment Level (SAL) is Louisiana\'s primary senior protection — a true AV freeze (not a millage rate cap) for owners 65+ with adjusted gross income at or below $102,700 (2026 limit, indexed by CPI from $100K base set by Amendment 6 of 2020). Once granted, the AV freezes at the level when first qualified — preventing value-driven tax increases. Available also for permanently disabled (any age) and surviving spouses of military killed in action / MIA / POW. The SAL stacks with the regular $75,000 Homestead Exemption. Apply with parish assessor. Continues automatically as long as ownership and occupancy continue and value does not increase more than 25% due to construction.

How does the Disabled Veteran exemption work in Louisiana?

Louisiana provides a FULL property tax exemption for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled (LA Const. Art. VII §21, effective 2023) — stacks on top of the regular $75,000 Homestead Exemption. Partial-rating vets receive additional FMV exemptions: 50-69% rating = additional $25K FMV exemption; 70-99% rating = additional $45K FMV exemption; 100% = FULL exemption. Surviving spouses may retain. Apply with parish assessor with current Form A25 from Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

How do I appeal my Louisiana assessment?

Louisiana property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: Parish Assessor. File written appeal during the open inspection period (typically 15 days in August/September each year — varies by parish). Level 2: Parish Board of Review. Within 3 business days of the open inspection period closing. Level 3: Louisiana Tax Commission. Within 10 business days. From there to District Court. Most appeals are resolved at Level 1 or Level 2.

About Orleans County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

New Orleans is **the birthplace of jazz music** — the genre developed in the city's African-American neighborhoods (particularly Tremé, the Faubourg Marigny, and the historic Storyville red-light district 1897-1917) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from a synthesis of blues, ragtime, brass-band marches, African-American spirituals, and Caribbean music. **Buddy Bolden** (1877-1931) is generally credited as the first jazz musician (active in Tremé from ~1900). **Louis Armstrong** (1901-1971) — the most-influential jazz musician in history — was born in New Orleans' Battlefield neighborhood (now part of the Central Business District). **Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, and King Oliver** were all New Orleans natives. **Storyville** (the legalized red-light district 1897-1917 — the only such legal district in US history) was a major jazz incubator, with brothels routinely employing pianists. The Preservation Hall (in the French Quarter, since 1961) preserves traditional New Orleans jazz.

Hometown hero

Louis Armstrong

The American jazz legend Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) — "Satchmo," widely regarded as the most-influential jazz musician in history — was born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901. Armstrong grew up in deep poverty in the Battlefield neighborhood (now the Central Business District). He learned cornet at the Colored Waif's Home for Boys (where he was sent in 1912 for firing a pistol on New Year's Eve). Armstrong moved to Chicago in 1922 to join King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, then to New York in 1924, where he revolutionized jazz. His Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings (1925-1928) established the soloist as the central figure in jazz. Armstrong's career spanned 50+ years, including iconic recordings of "What a Wonderful World" (1967, his only #1 hit on the UK Singles Chart), "Hello, Dolly!" (1964, knocked the Beatles off the #1 Billboard spot), and "Mack the Knife" (1955). The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (in Kenner, Jefferson Parish) is named for him.

Biggest annual event

Mardi Gras + Jazz & Heritage Festival

**Mardi Gras** (annual, 2 weeks ending on Fat Tuesday — date varies based on Easter; ranges late January through early March) is **the largest annual cultural celebration in the United States** — drawing 1.4 million attendees with 50+ parades, 40+ mystic krewes, and substantial international cultural impact. The **New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival** (annual, last weekend of April + first weekend of May at the Fair Grounds Race Course, since 1970) draws 425,000+ attendees over 7 days with 12+ stages of jazz, blues, R&B, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, and traditional Louisiana music. The 2005 Jazz Fest (after Katrina) was a celebrated symbol of New Orleans' resilience.

Property Tax in Orleans County, 2026