In the most recent publication of The Analyst — St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation’s economic research publication — the parish organization reported on trends seen through the fourth quarter of 2025 in multiple economic areas. The following is a snapshot of some of the findings:
GOOD NEWS
Unemployment — St. Tammany’s unemployment rate in December 2025 was 3.5%, the lowest level it had been in seven months, and lower than the 4.4% rate seen pre-pandemic. It remains lower than national, state and Greater New Orleans unemployment rates.
Self-employment — The parish has a strong entrepreneurial segment, with 36.5% of all jobs classified as self-employed in 2025. That rate has mostly risen each year since 2005. A whopping 83% of those reporting as self-employed in St. Tammany fall under the entertainment and media industry.
GETTING BETTER
Labor Force — The parish saw the highest number of residents employed or actively seeking employment ever recorded in November 2025 at 132,461, but St. Tammany’s 59.8% labor employment rate still falls behind the national average of 62.8% and Greater New Orleans’ 61.4%.
NOT SO GOOD
Poverty Rate — Between 2010 and 2023, the number of parish residents living in poverty increased by 2 percentage points (8.8% to 10.8%). It declined slightly to 10.5% in 2024. In that year, the poverty threshold was $31,800.
Wages — St. Tammany Parish employees overall are paid less than their Southshore counterparts. Average wages in the parish are lower than averages reported nationally, statewide and in Greater New Orleans.
To see the full report, contact stttammanyedc.org.
