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Top 10 Cities in Louisiana with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026

If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your current job but love your home, you may be considering a job change within your community. Understanding the local job market is crucial for this decision. In this article, we highlight the cities in Louisiana that boast the lowest unemployment rates, indicating a strong job market.

Many individuals settle in Louisiana due to job opportunities, but if you’re contemplating a move to the state or seeking new employment, knowing which cities have the strongest job markets is essential.

We sourced demographic data from the Census Bureau to determine which Louisiana cities have the lowest unemployment rates. We focused on cities with populations exceeding 10,000 to ensure robust data representation.

For those considering relocation, a robust job market is a key indicator of a community’s health. Central leads the way in Louisiana with the lowest unemployment rate, making it an attractive option for job seekers.

Continue reading to learn more about Louisiana’s most promising job markets.

For additional Louisiana job resources, explore:

How We Determined the Cities in Louisiana with the Lowest Unemployment Rates

To identify Louisiana’s cities with the lowest unemployment rates, we focused on areas with populations above 10,000, ensuring sufficient data for analysis.

This analysis covered 36 cities in Louisiana.

We examined unemployment rates using the latest American Community Survey data from the Census Bureau to highlight cities with the best job opportunities.

Our rankings reflect the relative employment rates, with the top city being the one with the lowest unemployment. In cases of ties, the larger city received the higher ranking.

If your city isn’t in the top ten, check the detailed chart at the end of this post. Otherwise, read on to discover how these top cities achieved their low unemployment rates.

1. Central

Population: 27,505
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
Central ranks first on our list with an impressive unemployment rate of 3.1%, clearly outperforming other cities in Louisiana.

2. Zachary

Population: 15,579
Unemployment Rate: 4.7%
Zachary secures the second position with a commendable unemployment rate of 4.7%, making it a solid choice for job seekers.

3. Bossier City

Population: 64,895
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
Bossier City takes the third spot with a 5.6% unemployment rate, showcasing its competitive job market.

4. Lafayette

Population: 123,528
Unemployment Rate: 5.9%
Lafayette ranks fourth with a population of 123,528 and an unemployment rate of 5.9%, making it a prime location for career opportunities.

5. Houma

Population: 33,807
Unemployment Rate: 6.0%
Houma comes in at fifth place with a 6.0% unemployment rate, indicating a healthy job market for its residents.

6. Mandeville

Population: 12,102
Unemployment Rate: 6.2%
Mandeville holds the sixth position with a 6.2% unemployment rate, making it an attractive option for those seeking employment.

7. Denham Springs

Population: 10,148
Unemployment Rate: 6.6%
Denham Springs ranks seventh with a 6.6% unemployment rate, highlighting its potential for job seekers.

8. West Monroe

Source: Wikipedia

Population: 13,073
Unemployment Rate: 6.6%
West Monroe matches Denham Springs with a 6.6% unemployment rate, proving its competitiveness in the job market.

9. Eunice

Population: 10,325
Unemployment Rate: 7.0%
Eunice ranks ninth with a 7.0% unemployment rate, showcasing its potential for employment opportunities.

10. Deridder

Population: 10,846
Unemployment Rate: 7.1%
Deridder rounds out the list at tenth place with a 7.1% unemployment rate, still representing a strong job market compared to the state average.

Summary of Unemployment Across Louisiana

In summary, we’ve showcased the ten cities in Louisiana with the lowest unemployment rates, underscoring their strong job markets. If you’re considering relocating to Louisiana and want to prioritize job opportunities, these cities should be at the top of your list.

For more insights into job markets across the United States, visit Zippia. If you’re a recent college graduate contemplating relocation, check out which states recent graduates tend to favor.

Here’s a brief overview of cities in Louisiana with the highest unemployment rates:

Bogalusa
Crowley
Abbeville

Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Louisiana

City	Rank	Unemployment
Central	1	3.1%
Zachary	2	4.7%
Bossier City	3	5.6%
Lafayette	4	5.9%
Houma	5	6.0%
Mandeville	6	6.2%
Denham Springs	7	6.6%
West Monroe	8	6.6%
Eunice	9	7.0%
Deridder	10	7.1%
Shreveport	11	7.3%
Pineville	12	7.3%
Kenner	13	7.4%
Baker	14	7.5%
Gonzales	15	7.9%
Sulphur	16	8.6%
Jennings	17	8.8%
Morgan City	18	9.3%
Baton Rouge	19	9.3%
Slidell	20	9.4%
Opelousas	21	9.4%
Lake Charles	22	9.5%
Minden	23	9.9%
Thibodaux	24	9.9%
Gretna	25	10.0%
New Orleans	26	10.3%
Bastrop	27	11.0%
Ruston	28	11.1%
New Iberia	29	12.0%
Alexandria	30	12.1%
Monroe	31	13.0%
Hammond	32	14.3%
Natchitoches	33	15.4%
Abbeville	34	15.5%
Crowley	35	18.0%
Bogalusa	36	22.6%

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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These Are The 10 Cities In Louisiana With The Lowest Unemployment Rate