What is the property tax rate in Ouachita County?

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

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

Property Tax in Ouachita County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Monroe-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to Ouachita 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.

Ouachita Parish, home to Monroe and 150k 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 Ouachita Parish Louisiana Tax 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. Ouachita Parish\'s combined millage is ~145 mills (= ~1.45% 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 Ouachita County rate breakdown (consolidated millage per $1,000 of AV (10% AR × FMV), Monroe district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Combined parish + municipal + school + special districts (~145 mills × 10% AR = ~0.65% effective post Homestead)	145.0000
Combined total	145.0000

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

Note: Ouachita Parish (pronounced "WASH-ih-taw") is **the cultural-economic anchor of northeastern Louisiana** — anchored by Monroe (~47K, the seat) and West Monroe (~13K, immediately across the Ouachita River). The parish is home to the **University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM, ~9,000 students)**. Monroe is famous for being **the historic headquarters of the Duck Commander / Duck Dynasty empire** — the Robertson family's duck-call manufacturing business that became the basis for the celebrated A&E reality TV series Duck Dynasty (2012-2017, peak ratings ~14 million viewers — among the highest-rated cable TV shows in history). Major employment includes CenturyLink (now Lumen Technologies — Monroe was its world headquarters until 2019, still a major employer), substantial healthcare (Monroe Surgical Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center), and ULM.

Note: Ouachita Parish effective property tax rates run approximately **0.65%** — moderate by Louisiana standards. Combined parish + municipal + school district + special district millage is ~145 mills (× 10% AR = ~1.45% gross, reduced by Louisiana's $75,000 Homestead Exemption to ~0.65% effective). Median home values around $165K (low) combined with the moderate effective rate produce median annual bills around $1,073.

Note: For relocation buyers: Ouachita Parish offers **the affordable northeastern Louisiana** option — substantial ULM university amenities, the celebrated Duck Commander cultural heritage (the West Monroe-area Duck Dynasty filming locations remain a regional tourist draw), low cost of living, and reasonable I-20 access to Shreveport (~100 miles west) and Jackson MS (~95 miles east). The trade-off: limited high-skill commercial sector outside ULM and healthcare, substantial racial-and-economic segregation patterns inherited from the area's mid-20th-century history.

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 Ouachita County

Ouachita County contains 4 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Monroe 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 Ouachita County is subject to Ouachita County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Monroe County seat	city	47,000
West Monroe	city	13,000
Richwood	village	4,400
Sterlington	town	2,300

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Monroe tax district. Other cities in Ouachita 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 Ouachita Parish Louisiana Tax 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 Ouachita County

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

Weird fact

West Monroe is **the home of Duck Commander and the Robertson family** of the celebrated A&E reality TV series **Duck Dynasty** (2012-2017). The Robertson family's duck-call manufacturing business (founded 1972 by Phil Robertson, who patented the iconic Duck Commander duck call) generates approximately $40-50 million in annual revenue. The Duck Dynasty TV series at peak averaged **14 million viewers per episode** — among the highest-rated cable TV programs in history. The Robertsons (patriarch Phil, sons Willie / Jase / Jep, and the celebrated Uncle Si) became among the most-recognizable American reality TV families. Phil Robertson's controversial 2013 GQ magazine interview comments led to his temporary suspension from the show — though he was reinstated after substantial public backlash. The Duck Commander warehouse and showroom in West Monroe remains a major regional tourist destination.

Hometown hero

The Robertson family (Duck Dynasty)

**Phil Robertson** (born 1946 in Vivian, Caddo Parish, LA but settled in West Monroe / Ouachita Parish) — founder of Duck Commander (1972) and patriarch of the Duck Dynasty TV family — is among Louisiana's most-famous modern cultural figures. Phil's son **Willie Robertson** (born 1972, CEO of Duck Commander since 2005) and Phil's other sons Jase, Jep, and brother Uncle Si became national celebrities through Duck Dynasty. The Robertson family's outspoken evangelical Christian faith, conservative politics, and Louisiana redneck-Cajun cultural style established a distinct cultural niche that drove the show's massive ratings. Other Ouachita Parish figures include **Bill Russell** (born 1934 in West Monroe — the NBA legend, 11-time NBA Champion, 5-time MVP, the Boston Celtics captain widely regarded as the greatest defensive player in NBA history; Russell's family moved to Oakland when he was 9 due to Louisiana segregation).

Biggest annual event

Duck Commander events + Monroe Christmas on the River

The annual Duck Commander events (multiple times per year at the West Monroe Duck Commander warehouse) draw substantial fan attendance from around the United States. Monroe **Christmas on the River** (annual, December — the celebrated Mississippi River-side Christmas light display in downtown Monroe) is among the largest Louisiana holiday-season events. **ULM Warhawks football** home games at Malone Stadium (capacity 30,427) draw substantial regional fan attendance.

Property Tax in Ouachita County, 2026