We have our hands on the most sought after list of 2026: Louisiana’s most family friendly places to live.
The most family friendly places in a state are the places that have the best neighborhoods, the best schools, the best shopping, and the most family friendly amenities; and, folks, Louisiana has some of the best in the South. So, if you and your family already live in the Bayou State, consider yourself lucky. But if you’re thinking about moving your family to the Deep South, we suggest you take a look at HomeSnacks list of best places to raise your family in Louisiana for 2026.
How did we determine Louisiana’s most family friendly places? We consulted the US Census on places in Louisiana with more than 10,000 residents. We looked at several factors: crime, education, family friendly activities, and the percent of households that currently have children. We ended up with 24 family friendly places. This is also our second time ranking Louisiana’s most family friendly cities, so trust us when we say that any family would be lucky to call any one of these places home. Louisiana currently has 1.6 million families, and that number is expected to increase over the next ten years; and that folks, is because the state has a ton of awesome “Louisiana” stuff to do. Like, celebrating one of the world’s biggest Mardis Gras in New Orleans, visiting one of the state’s 21 state parks, or spending the day at Alexandria’s Zoo.
And parents, Louisiana has 69 Blue Ribbon schools, and local colleges like Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge keep showing up on U.S. News’ ‘Best College’ lists year after year. So, if you’re looking for safe, family friendly cities and neighborhoods, amazing schools, large green spaces, and just overall good family friendly fun, keep reading.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Cities To Raise A Family In Louisiana For 2026
When you choose to live in one of Louisiana’s best places for families, you are choosing to live where you can keep your family safe, happy, and healthy. And that makes perfect sense.
So, what’s the best place for families to live in Louisiana for 2026? Drum roll… the number one best place for families in the Pelican State is Covington based on the most recent Census data.
To see how your favorite places in Louisiana compared, take a look at the list below; and if you don’t see it there, head to the bottom.
More reading about Louisiana and the best places for families in the country:
- Best Places To Live In Louisiana
- Cheapest Places To Live In Louisiana
- Best Cities To Raise A Family In America
- Best States To Raise A Family In America
The 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In Louisiana For 2026
/10
Population: 11,658
Median Income: $75,851
Average Home Price: $317,481
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 44
Closest Major City: New Orleans
Households with kids: 33.5%
More on Covington: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 12,946
Median Income: $94,405
Average Home Price: $355,608
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 47
Closest Major City: New Orleans
Households with kids: 33.5%
More on Mandeville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 15,732
Median Income: $52,072
Average Home Price: $226,920
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 47
Closest Major City: Baton Rouge
Households with kids: 21.1%
More on Thibodaux: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 14,322
Median Income: $116,179
Average Home Price: $282,910
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 57
Closest Major City: Baton Rouge
Households with kids: 38.3%
More on Broussard: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 19,952
Median Income: $84,480
Average Home Price: $267,773
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 43
Closest Major City: Baton Rouge
Households with kids: 35.1%
More on Zachary: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 28,561
Median Income: $70,497
Average Home Price: $218,142
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 46
Closest Major City: New Orleans
Households with kids: 31.5%
More on Slidell: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 12,253
Median Income: $54,750
Average Home Price: $180,738
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 40
Closest Major City: Baton Rouge
Households with kids: 35.0%
More on Baker: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 64,904
Median Income: $64,020
Average Home Price: $268,195
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 32
Closest Major City: New Orleans
Households with kids: 28.3%
More on Kenner: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 11,455
Median Income: $34,294
Average Home Price: $140,974
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 44
Closest Major City: Little Rock
Households with kids: 33.4%
More on Minden: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 81,143
Median Income: $59,235
Average Home Price: $199,011
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 76
Closest Major City: Baton Rouge
Households with kids: 26.2%
More on Lake Charles: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How do you determine which place is best for families in Louisiana anyways?
To give you the places in Louisiana that are best for families, we must look at a handful of metrics. We want to measure the criteria people want in a family-friendly city utilizing Saturday Night Science.
After researching U.S. Census data produced for the state of Louisiana, we looked at the data for every single city in the state. We paid particular attention to:
- Crime (Both violent and property)
- Quality of local schools
- Distance to a major city without necessarily being in it
- % of households with children
- Family-friendly amenities nearby (museums, libraries, and colleges)
We then gave each city a “Family Score.”
The higher the score, the better the city is for families. We also limited our results to cities with over 10,000 people. For Louisiana, that meant a total of 24 cities.
We updated this article for 2026. This is our eleventh time ranking the best cities for families in Louisiana.
Summary: The Best Places To Raise A Family In Louisiana
If you’re looking for a breakdown of cities in Louisiana ranked by criteria that most agree make a place a great spot for families, this is an accurate list.
The best places for families in Louisiana are Covington, Mandeville, Thibodaux, Broussard, Zachary, Slidell, Baker, Kenner, Minden, and Lake Charles.
Here’s a look at the best cities for singles Louisiana according to the data:
- West Monroe
- Opelousas
- Bogalusa
For more Louisiana reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Louisiana
- Most Dangerous Places In Louisiana
- Cheapest Places To Live In Louisiana
Best Places For Families In Louisiana
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Amenities Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Covington, LA | 11,658 | $75,851 | $317,481 | 59 |
| 2 | Mandeville, LA | 12,946 | $94,405 | $355,608 | 41 |
| 3 | Thibodaux, LA | 15,732 | $52,072 | $226,920 | 62 |
| 4 | Broussard, LA | 14,322 | $116,179 | $282,910 | 60 |
| 5 | Zachary, LA | 19,952 | $84,480 | $267,773 | 31 |
| 6 | Slidell, LA | 28,561 | $70,497 | $218,142 | 35 |
| 7 | Baker, LA | 12,253 | $54,750 | $180,738 | 42 |
| 8 | Kenner, LA | 64,904 | $64,020 | $268,195 | 46 |
| 9 | Minden, LA | 11,455 | $34,294 | $140,974 | 46 |
| 10 | Lake Charles, LA | 81,143 | $59,235 | $199,011 | 66 |