Key Takeaways About Louisiana in Q2 2026
- Louisiana hit a new all-time high of 2.01 million nonfarm jobs in May 2026, up 16,700 (+0.8%) over the year.
- Baton Rouge, Monroe, and Lake Charles metro areas had the fastest rates of growth, while the Houma and Shreveport metros saw the largest declines
- Louisiana’s rate of growth was 4th fastest among the Southern states, and tied for 6th fastest in the US overall for May, driven by construction sector (+9,300 jobs)
- Construction, Healthcare, and Manufacturing are the three fastest growing industry sectors.
- Louisiana’s real GDP grew 2.7% over the year; 4th-fastest of 16 Southern states and on par with U.S. growth of about 2.7%.
- New business applications are up 48% since 2019, but that growth ranks just 15th of 16 Southern states.
- Home insurance remains a challenge: at about $5,986 a year, Louisiana’s premiums are the 2nd-highest of 16 Southern states.
- Louisiana saw the largest improvement in the US South on the nonpartisan Tax Foundation’s “Competitiveness Index,” moving up 6 spots in 2026 over 2025. Louisiana ranks 12th overall for tax competitiveness in the Southern US.