If you’re moving to Lafayette or Acadiana from another state, there’s a Louisiana term you’re going to start hearing almost immediately:
Parish.
Lafayette Parish.
Vermilion Parish.
Iberia Parish.
St. Martin Parish.
Wait a minute…
Where are the counties?
If you’re relocating to South Louisiana for SpaceX or another job opportunity, welcome to one of the many things that makes Louisiana different from the rest of the country.
We don’t have counties.
We have parishes.
And while a parish serves many of the same basic purposes as a county does in other states, there’s some interesting history behind the name and a few practical differences you’ll want to understand when you’re buying a home here.
Louisiana Has 64 Parishes
Louisiana is divided into 64 parishes.
In most of the United States, the primary geographic subdivisions of a state are called counties.
Louisiana is different.
Here, they’re called parishes.
So when someone says a home is located in Lafayette Parish, think of it roughly the same way you would think of a home being located in a particular county in another state.
But why does Louisiana use the word parish in the first place?
For that, we need a little Louisiana history.
Why Does Louisiana Have Parishes Instead of Counties?
The answer goes back to Louisiana’s French and Spanish colonial history.
Before Louisiana became part of the United States, the territory had been governed by both France and Spain and was heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church.
Local areas were commonly organized around church parishes.
After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the new American government began creating political subdivisions in the territory.
For a time, Louisiana actually used the term county.
But the parish system was already deeply rooted in the way residents identified their local communities.
In 1807, the territorial legislature divided the area into 19 parishes, and the terminology stuck.
When Louisiana became a state in 1812, parishes continued to evolve as the state’s local governmental divisions.
More than two centuries later, we’re still using the term.
Is a Parish Basically the Same Thing as a County?
For someone relocating here, the easiest answer is:
Generally, yes.
A Louisiana parish serves as the county equivalent level of government.
But don’t assume that every government office has the same name you’re accustomed to in another state.
Louisiana has its own terminology.
And that’s where things get interesting.
We Don’t Have County Commissioners Either
In many states, county government may be administered by a county commission or board of commissioners.
Louisiana traditionally has something called a police jury.
And no, it doesn’t mean what newcomers usually think it means!
A police jury isn’t a jury deciding criminal cases.
It’s a form of parish governing authority.
Some Louisiana parishes still operate under the traditional police jury system, while others have adopted different forms of government under home rule charters.
Lafayette Parish is one of those places with a different governmental structure.
Lafayette has a consolidated city parish government known as Lafayette Consolidated Government, or LCG.
So you’ll frequently hear people refer to both the City of Lafayette and Lafayette Parish.
They aren’t interchangeable terms.
The City of Lafayette and Lafayette Parish Are Not the Same Thing
This is an important distinction when you’re relocating here.
Lafayette can refer to the City of Lafayette.
Lafayette Parish refers to the larger parish that contains the City of Lafayette along with other municipalities and unincorporated areas.
For example, Broussard, Youngsville, Carencro, Scott and Duson are all located at least partly within Lafayette Parish.
That means someone can tell you:
“I live in Lafayette Parish.”
But that doesn’t necessarily mean their home is located inside the City of Lafayette.
This becomes important when you’re searching for real estate because municipal boundaries can affect things such as governmental services, utilities, zoning and other property related matters.
That’s why I look at the actual property, not simply the city name appearing in an online real estate search.
SpaceX Is Coming to Vermilion Parish
Here’s where understanding Louisiana parishes becomes particularly relevant for people relocating to Acadiana for SpaceX.
The SpaceX development you’ve been hearing about is associated with Vermilion Parish, which is immediately south and southwest of Lafayette Parish.
So someone relocating for a position connected to that development doesn’t necessarily have to limit a home search to one city or one parish.
Depending on the location of your workplace, commute preferences, housing criteria and other priorities, your search could potentially involve properties in more than one part of Acadiana.
That’s why one of my first questions for a relocating buyer is:
“Where exactly will you be working?”
Not simply which company.
The actual work location matters when we’re evaluating housing options and travel routes.
You’ll Hear the Word “Parish” Everywhere
Once you move here, parish terminology becomes part of everyday life.
Instead of a county courthouse, you’ll hear references to a parish courthouse.
Instead of county government, you’ll hear parish government.
Public school systems are generally organized at the parish level, so you’ll hear names such as Lafayette Parish School System and Vermilion Parish School District.
Property records, tax information, permits and other governmental matters may also involve parish-level offices.
Before long, saying “parish” instead of “county” will probably start to feel completely normal.
Here’s Another Louisiana Term You’ll Need to Know: Assessor
If you’re buying real estate, you’ll probably hear about the parish assessor.
The assessor’s office maintains property assessment information used in determining property taxes.
For example, Lafayette Parish has the Lafayette Parish Assessor, while neighboring parishes have their own assessor offices.
When we’re researching a property, parish records can provide useful information about the parcel and its assessment.
But just as I tell sellers not to rely solely on an online home value estimate, buyers shouldn’t assume an assessed value automatically represents current market value.
Assessed value and market value are not necessarily the same thing.
And Another One: Clerk of Court
Louisiana also has a Clerk of Court in each parish.
The clerk’s office performs a variety of official functions, including maintaining certain public records.
Real estate ownership and conveyance records are among the records associated with parish clerks of court.
You don’t need to become an expert in Louisiana government before buying a house.
That’s part of why you hire professionals.
But understanding the terminology makes the process considerably less confusing.
Parish Boundaries Can Matter When You’re Buying a Home
A parish isn’t simply a word on your mailing address.
Where a property is located can affect a variety of things you’ll want to investigate before purchasing.
Depending on the specific property, those considerations may include:
Property taxes and assessments
Municipal or parish services
Utilities
Zoning and land use requirements
Flood information
Permitting
School district or attendance zone information
Emergency and public services
Some of these can even vary within the same parish depending on whether a property is inside a municipality or in an unincorporated area.
That’s another reason I don’t like to make assumptions based simply on a ZIP code or city name.
We look at the individual property.
What Exactly Is Acadiana?
While we’re clearing up Louisiana terminology, there’s another word newcomers will hear constantly:
Acadiana.
Acadiana isn’t a parish.
And it isn’t a city.
It’s the name commonly used for the culturally distinct region of South Louisiana associated with Cajun heritage and the Acadian people who settled here.
Lafayette is widely considered the heart of Acadiana.
The region extends across 22 parishes, which is why you’ll hear me talk about Lafayette and the surrounding Acadiana area.
When someone says they’re moving to Acadiana, that could mean they’re considering homes in Lafayette Parish or in one of several surrounding parishes.
Louisiana Is Different—and That’s Part of Its Character
Parishes aren’t the only thing that may seem different when you first arrive.
Louisiana has its own legal traditions, governmental terminology, food, festivals, music and cultural customs.
You’ll hear words and expressions you may never have encountered before moving here.
Some will make perfect sense.
Others may require an explanation.
And some you’ll simply learn to love.
That’s part of relocating to South Louisiana.
You’re not just changing your address. You’re learning a new place.
Moving to Acadiana for SpaceX? You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone.
If SpaceX or another career opportunity is bringing you to Lafayette, Vermilion Parish or the surrounding Acadiana area, I’d be happy to help you understand the real estate side of your relocation.
We can look at your actual work location, commute considerations, housing budget and the property features that matter to you.
Then we can explore homes throughout the appropriate areas rather than limiting your search simply because you don’t yet know the difference between Lafayette, Lafayette Parish and the greater Acadiana region.
And don’t worry.
I won’t quiz you on parishes when you get here.
But after living in Louisiana for a while, you may catch yourself explaining the difference between a parish and a county to the next newcomer.
That’s when you’ll know you’re settling in.
Melanie Nash, Broker/Owner
National Realty of Acadiana LLC
Lafayette, Louisiana
nationalrealtyacadiana.com
Local Expertise. Personal Service. Proven Results.