By Paige Gurgainers

Louisiana’s economy is showing a blend of resilience and challenges, with recent state data pointing to modest job growth in key parishes and shifting real estate trends. In Northwest Louisiana, Webster Parish stands out for posting steady employment gains while also experiencing some of the state’s most dramatic housing market changes.

According to the Louisiana Economic Development report released September 12, total covered employment in Webster Parish rose to 11,220 in the first quarter of 2025. That marks a 0.6 percent increase from the previous quarter and a 2.4 percent gain compared to the same time last year. That performance outpaced several neighboring parishes, including DeSoto, which slipped 0.2 percent year-over-year, and Claiborne, which declined 0.7 percent year-over-year.

Statewide, Louisiana recorded 104,000 job openings in June, down 6.3 percent from the prior month but still 8.3 percent higher than June 2024. Hiring also slipped slightly, with Louisiana employers filling 70,000 positions, a 2.8 percent decline year-over-year. Worker turnover shifted as well, with “quits” dropping by more than 23 percent in Louisiana compared to last summer, signaling employees may be more cautious about changing jobs in an uncertain economy.

On the real estate front, Webster Parish’s seat, Minden, saw a surge in housing activity even as prices dropped sharply. The median listing price in Minden rose 3.2 percent in August to $162,500 compared to July, but that figure remains nearly 19 percent lower than a year ago – one of the steepest declines in Louisiana. Homes are still moving relatively quickly, averaging 65 days on the market, up slightly from 60 days a year earlier.

Louisiana as a whole has struggled with real estate affordability. The state’s median listing price of $279,900 in August was well below the United States median of nearly $430,000, but homes lingered on the market longer in Louisiana than nationally, 68 days compared to the U.S. average of 60.

For Webster Parish residents, the employment uptick and steady housing movement provide cautious optimism amid statewide uncertainty. Economists say local gains are significant given the broader national slowdown in hiring and ongoing price pressures.