Ouachita Parish Closing Costs & Property Taxes

Real rates and fees for real estate transactions in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana

Ouachita Parish has a total default millage rate of 130.96 mills, which determines annual property taxes for homeowners and investors. For a home at the local median price of $185,000, this means significant cost differences compared to neighboring parishes like Morehouse, Union, Lincoln. Below you'll find a complete millage breakdown by taxing body, example closing cost and property tax calculations, and tools to compareOuachita Parish against any other parish in Louisiana.

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Side-by-side tax comparison tool

Millage Rate Explorer

Breakdown by taxing body for every parish

Millage Rates

130.96mills (default total)

Ouachita Parish has 8 tax districts with different millage rates. Select the appropriate area for the most accurate estimate.

City of Monroe (Ward 30)

Taxing Body	Mills
Assessment District	1.83
G.B. Cooley Hospital	1.38
Law Enforcement (Sheriff)	12.11
Mosquito Abatement	1.97
Detention Home	2.90
Fire Maintenance	18.00
Health Unit	1.75
Jail Extension (Correctional Center)	9.20
Library Maintenance	7.64
Police Jury General Fund (Inside Municipal)	2.07
Monroe City School Maintenance	26.70
Monroe City School Bonds	9.92
City of Monroe Maintenance	26.37
Total Millage	121.84

Monroe uses Monroe City School Board (36.62 mills) instead of Parish School Board (65.33 mills). City maintenance levy of 26.37 mills is NOT eligible for homestead exemption. Total from assessor's ward page: 82.18 mills.

City of West Monroe (Ward 20)

Taxing Body	Mills
Assessment District	1.83
G.B. Cooley Hospital	1.38
Law Enforcement (Sheriff)	12.11
Mosquito Abatement	1.97
Detention Home	2.90
Fire Maintenance	18.00
Health Unit	1.75
Jail Extension (Correctional Center)	9.20
Library Maintenance	7.64
Police Jury General Fund (Inside Municipal)	2.07
City of West Monroe General Fund	6.90
City of West Monroe Police & Fire	4.50
Tensas Basin Levee District	4.71
Total Millage	74.96

West Monroe added 4.50 mill Police & Fire levy in 2025 (voter-approved April 2024). Street Maintenance expired (0.00). Levee District (4.71) applies to parts of ward only. Total from assessor: 74.89 mills. This is the LOWEST total in the parish because parish school bond levies do not apply inside West Monroe city limits the same way.

Town of Richwood (Ward 37)

Taxing Body	Mills
Assessment District	1.83
G.B. Cooley Hospital	1.38
Law Enforcement (Sheriff)	12.11
Mosquito Abatement	1.97
Detention Home	2.90
Fire Maintenance	18.00
Health Unit	1.75
Jail Extension (Correctional Center)	9.20
Library Maintenance	7.64
Police Jury General Fund (Inside Municipal)	2.07
Ouachita Parish Schools	5.18
Parish School Maintenance & Operation	24.15
E. Ouachita School Bond	36.00
Town of Richwood General Fund	6.26
Town of Richwood Maintenance/Police/Recreation	20.69
Total Millage	151.13

Richwood has one of the highest total millage rates due to Parish School Board levies (65.33) plus high municipal levies (26.95). Municipal levies are NOT eligible for homestead exemption.

Town of Sterlington (Ward 40)

Taxing Body	Mills
Assessment District	1.83
G.B. Cooley Hospital	1.38
Law Enforcement (Sheriff)	12.11
Mosquito Abatement	1.97
Detention Home	2.90
Fire Maintenance	18.00
Health Unit	1.75
Jail Extension (Correctional Center)	9.20
Library Maintenance	7.64
Police Jury General Fund (Inside Municipal)	2.07
Ouachita Parish Schools	5.18
Parish School Maintenance & Operation	24.15
E. Ouachita School Bond	36.00
E. Ouachita Recreation Maintenance	7.20
Town of Sterlington General Fund	9.03
Total Millage	140.41

Sterlington has the second-highest total at 136.09 mills. Town levy of 9.03 mills is NOT eligible for homestead exemption.

Wards 1, 2 & 10 (Unincorporated)

Taxing Body	Mills
Assessment District	1.83
G.B. Cooley Hospital	1.38
Law Enforcement (Sheriff)	12.11
Mosquito Abatement	1.97
Detention Home	2.90
Fire Maintenance	18.00
Health Unit	1.75
Jail Extension (Correctional Center)	9.20
Library Maintenance	7.64
Police Jury General Fund (Outside Municipal)	4.14
Ouachita Parish Schools	5.18
Parish School Maintenance & Operation	24.15
E. Ouachita School Bond	36.00
E. Ouachita Recreation Maintenance	7.20
Road Light District #1	5.00
Total Millage	138.45

Highest total in the parish at 138.16 mills. Includes Road Light District #1 (5.00 mills) and E. Ouachita Recreation (7.20 mills). General Fund uses outside-municipal rate of 4.14 mills.

Wards 3 & 4 (Unincorporated)

Taxing Body	Mills
Assessment District	1.83
G.B. Cooley Hospital	1.38
Law Enforcement (Sheriff)	12.11
Mosquito Abatement	1.97
Detention Home	2.90
Fire Maintenance	18.00
Health Unit	1.75
Jail Extension (Correctional Center)	9.20
Library Maintenance	7.64
Police Jury General Fund (Outside Municipal)	4.14
Ouachita Parish Schools	5.18
Parish School Maintenance & Operation	24.15
E. Ouachita School Bond	36.00
E. Ouachita Recreation Maintenance	7.20
Total Millage	133.45

Standard unincorporated rate with E. Ouachita Recreation. Used as defaultMillage.

Ward 5 (Unincorporated)

Taxing Body	Mills
Parish-Wide Levies	59.78
Police Jury General Fund (Outside Municipal)	4.14
Ouachita Parish Schools	5.18
Parish School Maintenance & Operation	24.15
Tensas Basin Levee District	4.71
Total Millage	97.96

Ward 5 does not have E. Ouachita Recreation or Road Light. Levee District (4.71 mills) applies to parts of ward. No school bond in this ward.

Wards 6, 7, 8 & 9 (Unincorporated)

Taxing Body	Mills
Assessment District	1.83
G.B. Cooley Hospital	1.38
Law Enforcement (Sheriff)	12.11
Mosquito Abatement	1.97
Detention Home	2.90
Fire Maintenance	18.00
Health Unit	1.75
Jail Extension (Correctional Center)	9.20
Library Maintenance	7.64
Police Jury General Fund (Outside Municipal)	4.14
Ouachita Parish Schools	5.18
Parish School Maintenance & Operation	24.15
Total Millage	90.25

These western wards do not have E. Ouachita Recreation, Road Light, or school bond levies, resulting in the lowest unincorporated rate.

Source: Ouachita-Assessor-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-19

Example Closing Costs

Estimated buyer closing costs for a $185,000 home in Ouachita Parish with 20% down payment and conventional financing.

Buyer Closing Costs

$2,798

1.5% of purchase price

Seller Closing Costs

$800

0.4% of purchase price

View itemized breakdown

Title Fees

Abstract Fee$350

Insured Closing Letter$25

Recording Service Fee$175

Title Exam$275

Wire Fee$20

Settlement Fee$550

Owner's Title Insurance$928

Lender's Title Insurance (simultaneous issue)$100

Simultaneous Issue Credit$0

Other Fees

Overnight / Courier$55

Notary / Attorney Fee$150

Termite Certificate$75

Flood Certification$20

Certified Mortgage Certificate$50

Government Fees

Recording a Mortgage (Parish Cost)*$250

Recording a Sale (Parish Cost)$150

Cancellation Fee (per inscription)$175

Get an Exact Estimate

Example Property Tax

Estimated annual property tax for a $185,000 home with the $75,000 homestead exemption applied.

Annual Property Tax

$1,441

$120/month

Effective Tax Rate

0.78%

130.96 mills on $11,000 taxable value

Special Assessments

Forestry Fee$0

Total with Assessments$1,441

Calculate Your Exact Tax

Based on approximate median sale prices (Louisiana Realtors Association, 2025 estimates). Your actual costs will vary. Use our calculators for a personalized estimate.

Parish Resources

Assessor's Office

View property records online

Assessor Phone

318-327-1300

Special Fees & Assessments

Parish-Wide Fees

Forestry Fee

LA Department of Agriculture forestry fee per acre

$0.08/acre

Subdivision / Special District Fees (3)

Your property may be subject to additional subdivision fees depending on location.

Road Light District #1

Road lighting for Wards 1, 2 & 10 area

5 mills

Tensas Basin Levee District

Levee maintenance for parts of Ward 5 and Ward 20

4.71 mills

E. Ouachita Recreation Maintenance

Recreation district covering Wards 1-10, 30, 37, 40 (outside West Monroe)

7.2 mills

How Ouachita Parish Compares

Parish	Millage	Annual Tax*	Buyer Closing*
Union	72.88	$255	$2,460
Richland	84.52	$254	$2,438
Lincoln	85.36	$854	$2,753
Morehouse	111.50	$167	$2,367
Ouachita	130.96	$1,441	$2,798
Caldwell	133.20	$400	$2,438

* Based on each parish's approximate median sale price with homestead exemption and 20% down payment. Actual costs vary.

Compare All 64 Parishes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Ouachita Parish?

The default total millage rate in Ouachita Parish is 130.96 mills. For a $185,000 home with the $75,000 homestead exemption, the estimated annual property tax is $1,441. Actual rates may vary by ward or tax district.

How much are closing costs in Ouachita Parish?

Estimated buyer closing costs for a $185,000 home in Ouachita Parish are approximately $2,798 with conventional financing, 20% down payment, and owner's title insurance. This includes title fees, government recording fees, and prepaid items. Use our Closing Cost Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Ouachita Parish have special assessments?

Yes, Ouachita Parish has special assessments and fees that may apply to your property, including Forestry Fee, Road Light District #1, Tensas Basin Levee District, E. Ouachita Recreation Maintenance. These vary by location within the parish. Check with the Ouachita Parish Assessor's office for details specific to your property.

Need Help with Your Closing?

Southern Title provides full-service title and closing services in Ouachita Parish and across Louisiana.