Is St. Martinville Safe, Pros and cons of living in St. Martinville

St. Martinville, a city steeped in history and Cajun culture, offers a unique living experience in the heart of Louisiana. Nestled along the Bayou Teche, this charming locale boasts a rich heritage and a close-knit community atmosphere. As you consider a move to this distinctive area, understanding the various facets of life here, from safety and cost of living to local amenities and climate, will be crucial in making an informed decision.

This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of St. Martinville, covering essential information for potential residents. We will delve into the safety of the city, explore its economic landscape, examine housing and rental markets, and touch upon the educational opportunities available. Furthermore, we’ll discuss the local climate and demographic makeup to paint a complete picture of what it’s like to call St. Martinville home.

Is it Safe to Live in St. Martinville?

St. Martinville’s violent crime rate is approximately 6.085 per 1,000 residents, which is considered much higher than the average U.S. city (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The city ranks in the 13th percentile for safety, indicating it is safer than only 13% of U.S. cities (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Residents often consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest, with varying chances of being a victim of violent crime depending on the neighborhood (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Property crime in St. Martinville also presents a concern, with a rate of 11 per 1,000 population, making it an area with an above-average chance of becoming a victim of property crime compared to other U.S. communities (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The overall crime rate is 38.17 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the national average (as reported by StatisNostics and AreaVibes). The cost of crime per resident is estimated at $765 annually, which is higher than both the national and state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living in St. Martinville

The overall cost of living in St. Martinville is notably lower than the national average, with an index of 88 compared to the national average of 100 (as reported by AreaVibes). This affordability extends to various categories, including housing, which is 35% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, housing expenses in St. Martinville are reported to be 72% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale).

Groceries, goods, and services are also more affordable. Grocery prices are 2% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale), and utility prices are 10% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Transportation expenses are on par with the national average (as reported by PayScale), while healthcare costs are 20% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale).

Housing Costs

Housing in St. Martinville presents a significant affordability advantage, with costs being 35% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Individual reports indicate that housing expenses are as much as 72% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale). The median home value in St. Martinville is approximately $150,321, showing a 2.9% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow).

However, recent data from Redfin indicates a different trend, with the median sale price of a home being $62,000 in January 2026, a decrease of 51.3% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Realtor.com® indicates a median listing price of $75,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®). Rental markets also show limited availability, with only a few rental options on the market (as reported by Realtor.com®).

Income and Employment

The median household income in St. Martinville is $36,130 (as reported by Vertex AI Search). This figure is considerably lower than the national average. The poverty rate in St. Martinville stands at 22.32% (as reported by Vertex AI Search). The employment rate is reported at 91%, with a workforce of 2,160 residents (as reported by Point2Homes).

Average salaries in St. Martinville vary, with one source indicating an average annual salary of $85,745 as of April 2026 (as reported by Salary.com). Another source provides a much higher average annual pay for a “Salary” position at $199,141 as of April 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). It’s important to note that the latter figure may represent a specific job title rather than a general average. The job market consists of 64% white-collar workers and 36% blue-collar workers (as reported by Point2Homes).

Major Employers and Job Market

Information regarding specific major employers in St. Martinville is not readily available in the provided search results. However, data indicates that there are 252 total businesses in the area, employing 2,402 individuals (as reported by St. Martin Parish Economic Development). The workforce is comprised of 64% white-collar workers and 36% blue-collar workers (as reported by Point2Homes).

Self-employment accounts for 10.4% of places of employment (as reported by Point2Homes). The limited information on major employers suggests that residents may need to look towards surrounding areas or specific industries for substantial employment opportunities.

Climate in St. Martinville

St. Martinville experiences a humid subtropical climate with long, hot summers and short, cold winters. The average annual temperature hovers around 69°F (as reported by Geek Weather). Summers are hot and oppressive, with temperatures typically ranging from 44°F to 90°F, and rarely dropping below 30°F or exceeding 95°F (as reported by Saint Martinville, Louisiana – Wikipedia).

The hot season lasts from May to September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 90°F and a low of 75°F (as reported by Saint Martinville Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature). Winters are cool and can be windy, with January being the coldest month, averaging a low of 44°F and a high of 62°F (as reported by Saint Martinville Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature). The city receives an average of 66 inches of precipitation annually (as reported by Saint Martinville Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature), with June typically being the wettest month, receiving around 5.6 inches of rain (as reported by Saint Martinville Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature).

Demographics of St. Martinville

As of recent estimates, St. Martinville has a population of approximately 5,148, with a projected decline of 0.77% annually (as reported by Vertex AI Search). The city’s population has decreased by 4.49% since the 2020 census, which recorded 5,390 residents (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

The racial composition includes approximately 45.23% White, 48.86% Black or African American, 4.32% of two or more races, and smaller percentages for other racial groups (as reported by Vertex AI Search). The median age in St. Martinville is 49.4 years (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

Age and Gender Distribution

The median age in St. Martinville is 49.4 years, with males at 50.9 years and females at 48.2 years (as reported by Vertex AI Search). Approximately 9.2% of the population is under 15, and 11.2% are between 15 and 24 years old (as reported by Point2Homes). Adults aged 25 to 44 make up 25.7% of the population, while those aged 45 to 64 constitute 25.1% (as reported by Point2Homes).

The gender distribution shows 45.4% males and 54.6% females (as reported by Point2Homes). For every 100 females, there are approximately 83.2 males (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

Education in St. Martinville

St. Martinville is served by the St. Martin Parish Public Schools. St. Martinville Senior High School has a rating of 3.61 out of 5 based on 87 reviews (as reported by Niche). The student-teacher ratio at the senior high is 16:1, with 585 students (as reported by Niche).

St. Martinville Junior High School receives a rating of 5 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). This middle school has a student-teacher ratio of 11:1 and serves 319 students (as reported by Niche). St. Martinville Primary School has a Niche grade of B- and a GreatSchools Rating of 6 out of 10, with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 (as reported by Homes.com).