Louisiana
Louisiana outpaces national average in several economic sectors, report says
BATON ROUGE, La. (KNOE) – Nearly 20,000 nonfarm jobs were added in Louisiana between August, 2024 and August, 2025 according to a new report from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
According to the lobbying group’s annual report, Louisiana added 19,100 nonfarm jobs, marking a 0.96% job growth rate and placing the Pelican State 24th in the nation during that time frame.
“This reflects a notable improvement from prior years, when Louisiana consistently ranked near the bottom nationally, and indicates that recent economic momentum is translating into measurable employment gains,” said the report.
The Monroe region had a 0.7% job growth rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Other Louisiana metros ranked include:
- Alexandria: 1.0% growth
- Baton Rouge: 0.2% growth
- Hammond: 0.2% growth
- Houma-Thibodaux: 0.9% growth
- Lafayette: 1.2% growth
- Lake Charles: 0.8% growth
- New Orleans-Metairie: 0.6% growth
- Shreveport-Bossier City: 1.3% growth
- Slidell-Mandeville-Covington: 1.6% growth
Louisiana beat the national average in several industry sectors:
- Total job growth:
- Louisiana: 1.0% growth
- National: 0.9% growth
- Manufacturing:
- Louisiana: 2.6% growth
- National: -0.6% growth
- Leisure and Hospitality:
- Louisiana: 4.5% growth
- National: 3.2% growth
Based on the report, Louisiana also placed 24th in the nation for wage growth during the same time frame. Louisianans saw a 3.52% wage growth compared to a 3.45% increase for the middle third of the nation. Between 2019 and 2024, Louisiana saw wage growth of 1.25% compared with 3.60% for the middle third of the nation.
Education on the rise
End-of-year reading literacy has seen a 17 point increase for K-3 students during the 2024-2025 school year, the report said.
- Kindergarten: 33-point increase
- First grade: 19-point increase
- Second grade: 11-point increase
- Third grade: 8-point increase
Crime going down
Crime and public safety are also improving across the state.
Violent crime is down 12.5%, while the property crime rate is down 13.3% from 2021.
To read more information on the report, click here.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
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When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
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