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Abbeville

Abbeville

Located in Vermilion County

Vermilion Parish’s former oyster empire

Abbeville has been known for its marshland, agriculture and seafood for centuries. Oyster fishers first put the city on the map in the 19th century when they sold their harvests along the Vermilion River. The fishing industry has since slowed down, and food processing, healthcare, and oil now provide many local jobs. Just over 11,000 people live in Abbeville, and as some residents leave for Lafayette and other large cities, new faces are coming in for the area’s culture and lifestyle. “When people are moving to Abbeville and they aren’t from the area, they’re usually from somewhere similar like New Orleans or Florida and want a similar feel with a slower pace,” says Amanda Peacock, an associate with Re/Max Acadiana and a Vermilion Parish native.

The historic town of Abbeville was founded in 1850.
The historic town of Abbeville was founded in 1850.
Abbeville is a mix of commercial and residential areas.
Abbeville is a mix of commercial and residential areas.
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Dupuy’s has served fresh oysters for over 150 years

Even as Abbeville’s fishing industry has slowed, local restaurants still serve some of the region's freshest oysters, shrimp and crawfish. "If I want to eat seafood, I'm going to Abbeville. You have all the crawfish farmers and shrimpers here, and it's so fresh," Peacock says. Some of the longest-running seafood eateries are in the Abbeville Commercial Historic District on the west side of the city, including RiverFront, Shucks and Dupuy's Seafood and Steak, which has been serving oysters since 1869. These restaurants are all just down the street from Steen's Syrup, a century-old, still-operating cane syrup and molasses plant. "When I get home, and the wind blows in the right direction, and they're making the syrup, you can smell it," Peacock says. "For anyone living in the area, it's the smell of home." The east side of the city has more big box stores, including Lowe’s and Walmart on Veterans Memorial Drive.

SHUCKS! Has served fresh seafood in Abbeville since 1994.
SHUCKS! Has served fresh seafood in Abbeville since 1994.
Dupuy's Seafood and Steak has been serving oysters since 1869 in Abbeville.
Dupuy's Seafood and Steak has been serving oysters since 1869 in Abbeville.
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Concerts, theatre and omelets at Magdalen Square

St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church anchors the Abbeville Commercial Historic District. The church was established in 1842 by Père Antoine Désiré Mégret, the founder of Abbeville. The adjacent Magdalen Square is a venue for many of the city’s annual events, including the “Sounds on the Square” concert series and the Giant Omelette Celebration in November, which culminates in dozens of chefs pouring 5,000 eggs into a 12-foot skillet to prepare an enormous omelet. The Abbey Players theater is next to Magdalen Square. The theatre group produces five performances a year, including a summer youth production.

Get a dozen raw oysters at SHUCKS! In Abbeville.
Get a dozen raw oysters at SHUCKS! In Abbeville.
Abbeville’s historic downtown centers around the Vermilion Parish Courthouse.
Abbeville’s historic downtown centers around the Vermilion Parish Courthouse.
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Abbeville’s restored historic cottages

Abbeville’s history as an industry town can be seen everywhere, from its shops and restaurants to its homes. Many properties are restored cottages from the early 20th century, and new manufactured homes are another option. The median home price in Abbeville is $146,000, compared to the Lafayette median of $237,500. On average, Abbeville properties leave the market after 101 days, more than twice the national average.

Restored cottages are popular in Abbeville.
Restored cottages are popular in Abbeville.
Ranch style homes can be found when looking to move to Abbeville.
Ranch style homes can be found when looking to move to Abbeville.
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The Lafayette area’s top elementary schools

Vermilion Parish School District has an A-minus grade on Niche. Seventh Ward Elementary School and Eaton Park Elementary School are A-minus-rated and in Niche’s top five elementary schools in the Lafayette area. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the closest four-year school and is known for its francophone studies programs.

Seventh Ward Elementary School is an A- rated school on Niche.
Seventh Ward Elementary School is an A- rated school on Niche.
Eaton Park Elementary School is an A- rated school on Niche.
Eaton Park Elementary School is an A- rated school on Niche.
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Birding and kayaking through the Bayou Vermilion

Comeaux Park on the south side of the city is one of Abbeville’s main parks, with sports fields, a walking track, and a skate park. Around the city, Vermilion Parish’s swamps, old oaks and wildlife have created a growing outdoor tourism industry. Birders travel through Abbeville and down to Pecan Island to catch a glimpse of Mississippi Kites, broad-winged Hawks and other Cajun Country-native birds. Boaters can fish and explore along the Vermilion River or on the Bayou Vermilion Paddle Trail near Lafayette.

Swamps near Abbeville have helped create a growing outdoor tourism industry.
Swamps near Abbeville have helped create a growing outdoor tourism industry.
Canoe through the lagoons and ponds of Palmetto Island State Park.
Canoe through the lagoons and ponds of Palmetto Island State Park.
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Direct highway access to Lafayette

U.S. Highway 167 connects Abbeville to Lafayette, while Veterans Memorial Drive links to other Vermilion Parish cities like Kaplan and Erath. Lafayette Regional Airport, 22 miles away, offers domestic commercial flights. While Abbeville has no widespread public transportation, Vermilion Public Transit has on-demand bus services.

Abbeville’s heavy rains, floods and hurricanes

Abbeville has hot, humid summers and cool, windy winters. Heavy rainfall year-round, especially in the summer, causes frequent flooding and damage to homes, roads and sewer systems. The area has a history of hurricanes, including Hurricane Francine in 2024 and Hurricane Delta in 2020.
The Abbeville Police Department revealed to the FBI that assault, burglary and theft were the city’s most reported crimes in 2022. Between 2021 and 2022, theft increased by 2%, burglary decreased by 44%, and assault decreased by 18%.

Delaney Murray
Written By
Delaney Murray
Andrew Williams
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Williams
Samantha Houtchens
Video By
Samantha Houtchens

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Amanda Noel, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Open Houses

  • Saturday, May 30

    121 Ella Hill St, Maurice, LA 70555

    $315,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,876 Sq Ft
    • 121 Ella Hill St
    • New 14 days ago

    Beautifully maintained and move-in ready, this stunning Manuel Builder home in the desirable Prairie Cove subdivision offers the perfect blend of style, comfort, and modern design. Less than six years old and kept in exceptional condition, this spacious home features 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with thoughtful upgrades throughout. Step inside to an inviting open floor plan showcasing soaring

    Kathleen Theriot NextHome Cutting Edge Realty

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  • Saturday, May 30
    Open Sat 1PM - 4PM

    1915 N River Oaks Dr, Abbeville, LA 70510

    $275,500

    • 4 Beds
    • 4 Baths
    • 2,600 Sq Ft
    • 1915 N River Oaks Dr

    ***Big News OPPORTUNITY AWAITS *** $70K PRICE DROP ***. Welcome to a rare mid-century bayou-front opportunity offering privacy, space, and breathtaking natural views on approximately 2.75 acres of elevated land. Nestled high above the bayou, this beautiful and spacious 4-bedroom, 4 full bathroom home provides a unique blend of tranquility and potential in one of Abbeville's most desirable and

    James Jacome EXP Realty, LLC

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
4
Median Rent
$625

Area Factors

Fairly friendly

Bikeability®

40 / 100

Fairly friendly

Walkability®

40 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Abbeville
Amanda Noel
Cachet Real Estate, LLC
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