The historic courthouse square in Bastrop, Louisiana remains the heart of Morehouse Parish. The City of Bastrop's Main Street Program spearheaded an extensive revitalization project, which included restoring the original storefront facades. The courthouse square plays host to many community activities such as the Music on Main Street concert series and Witch Way to Main Street during Halloween.
Morehouse Parish: The Economic Engine That Can
Built on determination and perseverance, Morehouse Parish emerged stronger and more diversified after losing its main employer in 2008. After the shutdown of International Paper, the community rallied together to reinvent itself and re-envision its future. Today, Morehouse's economy has diversified beyond forestry and farming to include:
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Value-added agribusinesses
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Plastics automotive
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Specialty chemicals
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Plastic injection molding
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Wood molding
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Industrial fabrication and maintenance
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Transportation/warehousing
Located in northeast Louisiana, Morehouse Parish covers 795 sq. miles, with an estimated 2019 population of 25,161 residents. The civilian labor force of 9.923 earns an median household income of $33,313.
The parish offers the location advantages of a rural community adjacent to the Monroe metropolitan labor market area. The labor market has many skilled workers, including machinists, molders, processors, welders, mechanics, and other technicians that have experience in paper manufacturing, specialty chemicals, plastic injection molding, wood molding, and industrial fabrication and maintenance.
Businesses in Morehouse Parish can access Interstate 20 ( a major east-west corridor) via four-laned U.S. 165. The AL&M Railroad offers daily switching to KCS and UP rail yards in Monroe.
Morehouse Communities
Morehouse Demographics
Morehouse Workplace Statistics
Morehouse Transportation Infrastructure
Morehouse Major Employers
Tax Structure: Cost of Business
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• Bastrop-Parish Seat |
• Collinston |
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• Mer Rouge |
• Oak Ridge |
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• Bonita |
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Demographics |
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2010 Census |
2019 Estimate |
2024 Estimate |
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Population |
27,979 |
25,161 |
24,292 |
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Households |
10,853 |
9,925 |
9,635 |
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Median Age (2019) |
39.84 |
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5-Year Population Growth Projection (2024) |
(3.45%) |
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Race (2019 Estimate) |
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White |
49.29% |
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African American |
47.49% |
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American Indian or Alaska Native |
0.22% |
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Asian |
0.59% |
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Other |
1.87% |
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Income (2019 Estimate) |
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Median Household Income |
$33,313 |
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Average Household Income |
$49,548 |
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Educational Attainment (2019 Estimate) |
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Some High School, No Diploma |
11.97% |
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High School Graduate |
44.47% |
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Some College or Associate Degree |
22.40% |
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Bachelor's Degree |
10.27% |
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Master's, Professional or Doctorate |
3.37%
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Average Weekly Wage (Q1 2019) |
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Average Weekly Wage |
$660 |
Source: Nielsen Segementation & Market Solutions, Pop-Fact Demographics 2019; Louisiana Workforce Commission
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Major Interstates |
Interstate 20 nearby |
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Major Highways |
US 165, US 425, LA 2, LA 139 |
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Ports |
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Red River Port - 139 miles
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Port of Shreveport-Bossier - 140 miles
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Port of Natchitoches - 116 miles
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Greater Ouachita Port - 28.9 miles
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Class 1 Railroads |
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Kansas City Railroad (KCS)
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Airports |
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Monroe Memorial Airport - 1 mile
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Monroe Regional Airport - 22.2 miles
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*Based on distance from parish seat
**All North Louisiana Ports are connected to deepwater ports.
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State Corporate Income Tax
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4% on the first $25,000 of net income
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5% on the next $25,000
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6% on the next $50,000
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7% on the next $100,000
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8% on the excess of $200,000
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Louisiana uses single sales factor
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State Corporate Franchise Tax
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$1.50 per $1,000 or major fraction thereof up to $300,000
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$3.00 per $1,000 or major fraction thereof in excess of $300,000
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The initial corporation franchise tax is $110
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Unemployment Insurance Tax
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The 2017 wage base is $7,700
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Standard rate range is .10% - 6.2%
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Rate for new employers is the average rate for the particular industry
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Maximum unemployment weekly benefit is 1/2 of the claimant's previous wage earnings for 26 weeks
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2018 Parishwide Millage (Property Tax) Rate
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91.3 mills*
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Total Sales Tax in Unincorporated Morehouse Parish
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8.45%**
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Total Sales Tax in Bastrop
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Including Dist. 1 - 10.45%
Excluding Dist. 1 - 9.95%
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Total Sales Tax in Mer Rouge
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9.95%
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Total Sales Tax in Bonita
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9.95%
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Total Sales Tax in Colliston
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9.95%
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Total Sales Tax in Oak Ridge
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7.95% |
* To calculate property tax, multiply the assessed value of the property by the appropriate millage rate. The assessed value is the fair market value of the property times 10% for real property or 15% for personal property.
** Sales taxes include a 5% state tax along with a local portion