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Living in
Waggaman.
Waggaman is an unincorporated community in Jefferson Parish, LA. It has no city government: the county runs it, and the Census counts it as its own place.
About
Life in Waggaman
Waggaman is a community of 10,617 people in Louisiana. Median rent runs about $1,510 per month, and median home values are around $170,400. Unemployment is low at 3.9%, suggesting a relatively healthy local job market.
Waggaman at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
33.0 yrs
Poverty Rate
24.5%
Foreign-Born
2.2%
Broadband Internet
90.8%
of households
Population Growth
+6.0%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics2.2% foreign-born, most often from Mexico
Who lives in Waggaman: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Waggaman, the largest foreign-born group is from Mexico (53.3%), and 1.9% of residents speak Spanish at home.
Under 18
29.8%
of residents
65 and Older
15.5%
of residents
Households with Kids
41.5%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
23.2%
of households
Married Couples
44.4%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.97
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent 42% above LA average
Rent, home values, and income in Waggaman
In Waggaman, rent runs 42% above the LA average, and home values are 21% below the LA average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
68.0%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
59.9%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
92.6
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Homeowners
70.2%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1983
median year built
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for LA
Unemployment in Waggaman and typical pay across the metro area
Unemployment in Jefferson Parish, which includes Waggaman, is close to the LA average.
Unemployment rate
Waggaman: Jefferson Parish rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Jefferson Parish (county-wide) · Annual averages
Waggaman is about 3% of Jefferson Parish’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Median Salary by Occupation · metro area
New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area
Commute29.7 min avg
How Waggaman residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Waggaman, most residents drive alone to work (79%), and 57% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 6 mi
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Medium hub6.2M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 20% below national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in the area policed by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, which covers Waggaman, runs 20% below the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
263.1
per 100,000 residents
Below average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
1,921.4
per 100,000 residents
Above average (1,552 national, 2025)
Policed by Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (county-wide rate)
Natural DisastersFlash Flood most common — 12 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively High
98.7 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Jefferson County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Jefferson Parish, which includes Waggaman, the most common type is flash flood, with 12 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | Flash Flood | $39,500 |
| 2024 | 15 | Flash Flood | $42.6M |
| 2023 | 36 | Excessive Heat | $22,500 |
| 2022 | 14 | Thunderstorm Wind | $51.0M |
| 2021 | 13 | Flash Flood | $1000.9M |
| 2020 | 13 | Storm Surge/Tide | $25.1M |
| 2019 | 9 | Thunderstorm Wind | None reported |
| 2018 | 7 | Thunderstorm Wind | None reported |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
0 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Jefferson Parish, county-wide
Waggaman is about 3% of Jefferson Parish’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Air Quality47 median AQI — Good
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Jefferson Parish, which includes Waggaman, is typically good — 227 good-air days per year.
Median AQI
47
Good Days
227
per year
Moderate Days
137
per year
Unhealthy Days
0
per year
Jefferson Parish, county-wide
Waggaman is about 3% of Jefferson Parish’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Climate93°F summers, 49°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Waggaman has hot summers (avg high 93°F) and warm winters (avg low 49°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
81°/62°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
93°/76°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
82°/64°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
66°/49°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
64.6"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"
Hot Days/Year
106
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
4
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
114
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64°F | 47°F | 4.95" |
| Feb | 68°F | 51°F | 4.14" |
| Mar | 75°F | 56°F | 4.60" |
| Apr | 81°F | 62°F | 4.99" |
| May | 88°F | 69°F | 5.39" |
| Jun | 93°F | 75°F | 7.37" |
| Jul | 94°F | 77°F | 8.77" |
| Aug | 94°F | 77°F | 6.80" |
| Sep | 90°F | 74°F | 5.72" |
| Oct | 83°F | 65°F | 3.58" |
| Nov | 73°F | 55°F | 3.78" |
| Dec | 66°F | 49°F | 4.51" |
Healthcare
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Waggaman
Uninsured
4.8%
of residents
No hospitals inside Waggaman's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
River Oaks Hospital
Psychiatric · 3.1 mi away · New Orleans
Ochsner Medical Center Acute
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 5 mi away · New Orleans
Childrens Hospital
Childrens · ER available · 5 mi away · New Orleans
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education16.0:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Waggaman
Waggaman's student/teacher ratio is 16.0:1, close to the national average of 16:1, and 17.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
1
within city limits
Private Schools
0
within city limits
College Degree Rate
17.9%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.0:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges Near Waggaman (within 15 miles)
Tulane University of Louisiana
5.5 mi awayPrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 7,767 students · in-state tuition $71,998 · 79% graduate · median earnings $68,226 (10 yrs after entry)
Public · 4-year · 4,638 students · in-state tuition $9,472 · 46% graduate · median earnings $53,518 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 2,812 students · in-state tuition $51,664 · 66% graduate · median earnings $59,326 (10 yrs after entry)
Xavier University of Louisiana
7 mi awayPrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 2,628 students · in-state tuition $30,298 · 52% graduate · median earnings $59,737 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,063 students · in-state tuition $23,918 · 47% graduate · median earnings $43,728 (10 yrs after entry)
Southern University at New Orleans
12.4 mi awayPublic · 4-year · 1,055 students · in-state tuition $8,410 · 28% graduate · median earnings $42,300 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, 8 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Waggaman
Waggaman has 2 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (8 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
National Historical Park and Preserve
8 mi awayNew Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
9 mi awayPublic Libraries in Waggaman
Live Oak Branch
125 Acadia Drive, Waggaman
Cities Near Waggaman
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Waggaman?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Waggaman FAQ
Is Waggaman, Louisiana affordable?⌄
Waggaman's median rent is $1,510/month, which is close to the national average. Median home value is $170,400.
Is Waggaman, Louisiana safe?⌄
Waggaman is policed by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, whose violent crime rate across its service area was 263 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is below the national average of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 1921 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Waggaman, Louisiana?⌄
Jefferson Parish, which includes Waggaman, has an unemployment rate of 4.0%, which is close to the national average of 4.3%.
How is the commute in Waggaman, Louisiana?⌄
The average commute in Waggaman is 30 minutes, which is about average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from