Cotton Valley, LA

Louisiana

Cotton Valley is a small town in Louisiana with a population of 711. Residents earn $26,875 per year, which is 64% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
711 Population 270/sq mi density
$26,875 Median Income $15,394 per capita
$60,800 Home Value
$623 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$26,875 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$60,800 home value, $623/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $26,875
64% lower than US avg
Home Value $60,800
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.2%
85% lower than US avg
Median Rent $623
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.1%
37% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 30.7%
148% higher than US avg

How Cotton Valley Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population711
Median Age32.5 yrs
Density270/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 52%

Economy

C
Median Income$26,875
Per Capita$15,394
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty30.7%
County GDP$1,561M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$60,800
Rent$623
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity44.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.8%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI42 (Good)
Rain57.6 in/yr
Elevation220 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.2%
High School+79.6%
School Score4.48

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 31%
Commute31 min
Libraries7

Is Cotton Valley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cotton Valley receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Cotton Valley has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cotton Valley is $26,875, 64% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. The poverty rate of 30.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cotton Valley is $60,800, 78% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $623 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Cotton Valley enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Cotton Valley has a population of 711 with a density of 270 people per square mile. The median age is 32.5 years, 16% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (52.3%), with 46.6% Black.

Population

711
Total Population
270
People / sq mi
32.5yrs
Median Age
16% below US avg
2.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.2%
Female 58.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Cotton Valley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.0%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cotton Valley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cotton Valley is $26,875, which is 64% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 30.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Cotton Valley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$26,875
64% below US avg
Per Capita Income$15,394
Avg Weekly Wage$948
IRS Avg AGI$59,924

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate30.7%
148% above US avg
Establishments (County)995
County GDP$1,561M

Business (County)

Restaurants63
Healthcare96
Retail155
Manufacturing34

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,034
42% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.35%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.8 min
Work from Home3.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Cotton Valley is $60,800, 78% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $623 (46% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$60,800
78% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$14
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio66.7%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$623
46% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$763
1 Bedroom$832
2 Bedrooms$1,007
3 Bedrooms$1,298
4 Bedrooms$1,508

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied60.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,034
42% below US avg
Effective Rate3.35%
In Cotton Valley, 44.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.8% report depression. 33.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Cotton Valley vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.1%
37% above US avg
Diabetes14.9%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure42.8%
Asthma11.4%
COPD8.3%
Stroke4.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.8%
Physical Inactivity33.8%
Depression26.8%
Mental Distress21.7%
Physical Distress16.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Checkup Rate81.0%
Premature Death15,964/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.4/10
Exercise Access58.4%
Healthcare Facilities96

Crime Rates: Cotton Valley vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Cotton Valley has an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average65.3°F
21% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.6 inches
52% above US avg
Snowfall0.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation220 ft (67 m)
Area2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
Population Density270/sq mi
Coordinates32.8134°N, 93.4231°W
County FIPS22119
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 36.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.7%
D 31.2%

Winner: Republican by 36.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.2%
85% below US avg
High School+79.6%
School Test Score4.48
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density270/sq mi
Total Area2.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities96
Restaurants63
Retail Stores155

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.8 min
Work from Home3.9%

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