Are you thinking about heading to south Louisiana to start life anew? If so, Tangipahoa Parish is a great place to consider, especially if you have family or enjoy beautiful scenery and plenty of exciting things to do. The name comes from an Acolapissa word that translates to those who gather corn or ear of corn. The Acolapissa were a small group of Native Americans who lived in southeast Louisiana along the Tangipahoa River banks in the 1700’s. The tribe is no longer in existence, but their descendants can be found in the Houma, Louisiana area.
Tangipahoa Parish covers just over 820 square miles and is home to nearly 133,000 people in Southeastern Louisiana. The parish encompasses ten cities including:
- Hammond
- Amite City
- Ponchatoula
- Kentwood
- Tickfaw
- Loranger
- Tangipahoa
- Roseland
- Independence
- Natalbany
Cost of Living
When people are making a move to a new location, one of the most important things to consider is the overall cost of living. Tangipahoa Parish has an overall lower cost of living when compared to the rest of the U.S. New homes in Tangipahoa Parish are priced considerably lower than many large U.S. cities and you can find many affordable single-family homes throughout the parish. Housing and utilities are considerably lower than other areas, but healthcare can be higher depending on insurance coverage and whether you need an overnight stay in a hospital and transportation can cost a little more as fuel prices are often higher in this part of the country than in some others. There are public transit options available throughout the parish, although travel can be simplified if you have your own personal car shipped to you for transportation.
Farmland Resources
As you drive along the roadways in Tangipahoa Parish, you are sure to see a wealth of local crops lining the roads. From fresh strawberries to fresh vegetables and even Christmas tree farms, crops are lively in this part of the state. There are many farms that also raise cattle, goats, hogs and chickens. Employment opportunities are often available at local farms for skilled laborers as well as entry level farmhand positions. Many farmers network with others in the area and trade their product with others to maintain steady supplies of perishable and non-perishable items throughout the year. This is not only a great way to ensure the farmer has what they need, but it opens the door for meaningful business and personal relationships that can last a lifetime.
Hot Summers and Plenty of Annual Rainfall
If you like sunshine and warmer weather throughout the year, you will enjoy the fact that this area of the country sees around 220 sunny days annually although you may run into some heavy rain in the spring and early summer months. From December through early February, temperatures can drop down to the low to mid 30’s but from March through October, you can expect warm to extremely hot days with temperatures often soaring into the mid to upper 90’s in July.
Education
Tangipahoa Parish is home to 18 primary schools, 7 middle schools, 8 high schools and 2 alternative schools for school aged youth. Once children are college age, they can attend college at one of the local higher education facilities including Southeastern Louisiana University, Compass Career College or Northshore Technical Community College, all of which are in Hammond, Louisiana.
Hammond High is one of the only High Schools in the State of Louisiana to offer the The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) is an advanced studies program which is comprehensive and rigorous and demands the best from motivated students. IB students study a broad spectrum of subjects and engage in research (Extended Essay or Reflective Project) and experiential learning through school, community, and international activities. In the forty years since its founding, the IB has become a symbol of academic integrity and intellectual promise, recognized by leading universities in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Things to Do in Tangipahoa Parish
Tangipahoa Parish offers things to do for all ages throughout the year. This is an area that thrives on outdoor fun, festivals, history and excitement. Here are a few highlights of fun activities you can enjoy when you relocate to the area.
- Festival SeASON
Ponchatoula is known as the Strawberry Capital of Louisiana and it upholds its title by offering the freshest, sweetest strawberries in the nation. Each spring (In April) a festival is held to celebrate the harvest and you can enjoy carnival rides and games, contests and delicious foods made with locally grown strawberries. The Louisiana Renaissance Festival will bring you back in time and the Hammond Smokin’ BBQ Challenge will satisfy your taste buds! There are many other festivals and events in the area that will treat you to many experiences.
For one of the largest collections of documents and original artwork by and for African Americans, you must visit the museum in Hammond, Louisiana where you can see one of a kind artwork, learn about African American war heroes and more. The museum has had thousands of visitors visit since it opened in 2007. General admission is only $10 but discounts are offered for seniors, students and children. Members of the museum can visit for free.
Located in Folsom, Louisiana, the Global Wildlife Center is always a fun adventure for all ages to explore and check out the animals. The center features zebras, giraffe, camels and more all roaming freely throughout the preserve. You can take a safari tour to explore the nearly 900 acres of countryside while checking out the wildlife up close. The tour takes approximately an hour and a half, and the center offers discounted rates for groups including schools, churches and private parties.
There are also plenty of places to play sports including The Hammond America Sportsplex, and indoor sports arena with baseball, basketball and other sport areas as well as several local public parks with sports fields and more. Louisiana boasts a great selection of shopping and dining venues as well as fun night spots for adult evenings out on the town or activities for all ages including roller skating, movies and more. The local downtown areas of Hammond and Ponchatoula are a foodies favorite hangout.
Need More Information?
Need information on homes in the area or real estate in general? Joseph Mier & Associates have been serving the Northshore including Tangipahoa Parish for over 20 years and can assist you with your real estate appraisal needs. Send us your questions at AskAnApprasier.com