Some 40 miles west of Lake Charles, most drivers might breeze right through the small town of Starks on their way to or from Texas. The Louisiana village of a few hundred has the hallmarks of a small town: farm patches in front yards, a few churches, a volunteer fire department, a Veterans of Foreign Wars post and a single K-12 public school. But beneath the sleepy veneer, there is a constant flow of activity in town, including the annual Mayhaw Festival. However, the remoteness isn't ideal for every homebuyer. "It's a very rural, remote area," says Realtor Steve Rackley of R Home Real Estate. "Starks is not close to anything really. It's between things, and it has a very low population."
The community of Starks is a friendly community where generations have grown up.
Many Starks residents get around town on ATV's.
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The Mayhaw Festival and DJ sets at the local VFW post
The marshlands between Louisiana and Texas are one of few places in America where mayhaw berries thrive naturally, so Starks hosts the Mayhaw Festival every May. Visitors from across Louisiana and eastern Texas head to the Starks Community Pavilion for a weekend of carnival rides and foods like barbecue and funnel cakes, plus music from local performers. The festival is also a rare opportunity to buy freshly made mayhaw jelly, a sweet and sour delicacy that Southerners often spread on their toast. Smaller events happen fairly frequently throughout the year in Starks. The local VFW hosts social activities, such as school supply donation drives and DJ sets. Churches also help get community members together. Regular services at Calvary Apostolic Church attract dozens of residents every Sunday, as do special events like banquets and an annual fall party.
The community gathers regularly at the Starks Community Pavillion.
Regular activities are held at the VFW in Starks.
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Library mixers and bass fishing at Alligator Park
On the western end of Starks, Irby Gore Park offers the closest recreation to town. In addition to the park's playground, residents sometimes play baseball or kickball on one of Irby Gore Park's two diamonds. For escapes into nature, Alligator Park sits roughly 6 miles north of town. A popular RV camping destination, the riverside park offers a public boat launch to access the Old River Slough, a tributary of the nearby Sabine River. Visitors cast lines into the well-known hotspot for bass fishing, whether it be from their kayaks or the park's fishing pier. On rainy days, a Calcasieu Parish Public Library branch serves residents with regular programming, such as teen board game days, craft times and wine mixers for town gardeners.
Starks residents can pick up a new book from the Starks Branch Library.
Locals can enjoy the natural beauty of the Bayou at Alligator Park near Starks.
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4-H and Future Farmers of America at Starks High School
One of the most significant indicators of Starks' small-town sensibility is its school. Students spend their entire K through 12 education at Starks High School. Rated C by Niche, the school hosts a few agricultural clubs, such as Future Farmers of America and 4-H, as well as family events such as an annual Fall Festival, family reading nights and Grandparents Day.
Driving to Texas for groceries
With very few local businesses, residents may have to drive several miles for groceries, restaurants or essential services, such as a hospital. "It's closer to Texas, and that's usually where residents work, too," Rackley says. Businesses in Deweyville, such as Stuckeys Supermarket, are where most errands get completed, and the closest hospital is in Orange, Texas. Driving east to Dequincy might take longer than heading into Texas, but it offers access to larger supermarkets, like Brookshire Brothers. But there are a few businesses in town, such as Dress Like an Angel, where residents shop for their Sunday morning attire. Starks Silver Dollar Casino is a small, always-open roadside spot with video lottery terminals, popular with Texans looking to cross the border into a state with relaxed gambling laws. For Starks residents, though, the Silver Dollar Casino is better known for its burgers and fried shrimp.
Residents of Starks often cross the state border into Texas to get their shopping done.
Starks sits in close proximity to the Texas/Louisiana state line.
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Long drives to Interstate 10
Rural living means quiet evenings and familiar faces, but it also means long distances to population centers like Lake Charles in Louisiana or Orange in Texas. Interstate 10 passes by Starks roughly 11 miles south of town, offering connections to both cities.
Few listings for homes, mostly land
Small and somewhat out-of-the-way, Starks doesn't have the region's busiest real estate market. Listings for single-family homes are not as common as listings for large plots of land. Of the few single-family homes sold in Starks, most have been small cottages and midsized ranchers sitting on an acre or two of land. However, most listings come as undeveloped parcels ranging from 10 to 20 acres. Single-family homes and land both sell for prices well below the average for the Lake Charles area. Ranchers and cottages can sell for $75,000 to $150,000, while land can sell for $70,000 to $100,000.
A family moves into their new home in Starks.
There are many lots of land available throughout Starks.
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Sabine River floods
When it rains and the Sabine River reaches over 24 feet, residents know to keep their wits about them. Several portions of town are designated as special hazard flood zones. Major flooding can occur, especially during heavy storms and hurricanes — something southwest Louisiana is all too familiar with. However, most of the time, minor lowland flooding is contained to the drainage canals that pass through Starks, leaving many residents unaffected.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
EMILY ROSS,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
545
Median Age
47
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.5%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$34,523
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$67,112
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
83.4%
College Graduates
11.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
62''
Average Winter Low Temperature
38°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
26/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
4/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
