Shreveport serves as the commercial and industrial hub for Ark-La-Tex, the tristate region that connects Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Since its start in 1836 as a shipping town at the juncture of the Red River and the Texas Trail, the city of 180,000 has been in constant motion. Today, the oil and gas industry isn't quite as booming as it once was, but glittering riverboat casinos and historic neighborhoods ensure that the northwestern Louisiana city doesn’t stray far from its Southern roots. On the eastern side of the Red River in the smaller sister town of Bossier City, Barksdale U.S. Air Force Base also serves as a major employer for Shreveport residents, many of whom are drawn to the city's lower-than-average housing prices and low cost of living. “There are a lot of older and historic homes,” says Ryan Wheeler, a real estate agent with Pinnacle Realty Advisors. “You don’t see that as much on the Bossier side. A lot of established people live there, so a lot of it is probably familial. You tend to stay where you’re born and raised.”
Jobs at Barksdale Air Force Base or in the healthcare industry
The Ark-La-Tex region has long been known for its connection to petroleum, natural gas and steel. Those industries are still major employers in the area, even though oil and gas have seen a recent downturn with noticeably fewer jobs. Barksdale is one of the largest employers in northwest Louisiana, employing approximately 15,000 people, and other significant employers include tech giant Ruby Shore Software and the automotive tech and manufacturing company Benteler International. “We have a medical school, so you have a lot of doctors coming for their residencies and establishing practices here,” says Adam Lytle, an associate broker at Team Lytle. Willis-Knighton Health System, which is affiliated with LSU Health Sciences Center, is the largest healthcare provider in northwest Louisiana. The I-20 Cyber Corridor links the city to tech-focused metropolitan areas of Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta and Monroe. Other major highways, including interstates 220 and 49, pass through the city, making it easy to travel around the region to spots like New Orleans, a little of five hours away. Travelers can also connect to major hubs like Atlanta, Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth on one of the four airlines that fly out of Shreveport Regional Airport. While the Shreveport Area Transit System (SporTran) provides bus service to Shreveport and the Bossier City side of the river, the city is mainly car-dependent. The rise of the riverboat casinos led the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to implement the “Streetscape” project in 1990, adding brick sidewalks, crosswalks, sculptures and mosaics to the downtown area. Going forward, the Shreveport-Caddo 2030 Master Plan presents a bold vision for the city, potentially including mixed-use neighborhood centers, improvements to public transit and a green network of parks and waterways.
Home prices below the national average
Shreveport residents generally spend less on housing than most folks in Louisiana and much less than homebuyers nationwide. The current median listing price for a Shreveport home is around $189,000, compared to the Louisiana median of about $250,000. Architectural styles and prices vary, mainly depending on location and the condition. Fixer-uppers in neighborhoods like Queensborough and Allendale-Lakeside start around $15,000 to $30,000. Well-kept homes in the communities around Youree Drive typically cost $150,000 to $600,000, while larger Acadian-style homes, some in gated subdivisions, are priced from $600,000 to $800,000. In upscale communities like Southern Trace and Lambert Acres Estates, Mediterranean-style villas and historic estates command prices in the $1 million to $3 million range.
The neighborhood’s cottages blend well with the larger historic homes in the area.
Homes in Sligo-Mayers range from charming older houses to modern new builds.
New builds in South Bossier offer modern amenities and energy-efficient designs.
McMansions in the area may have decorative elements like columns, arches, and intricate facades.
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Cajun and Creole cuisine alongside the Red Riverand Dining
The dining scene in Shreveport features acts from the Cajun and Creole playbook, shining a spotlight on seafood gumbo, étouffée and po’boys. Other New Orleans-inspired delicacies like muffulettas and beignets turn up in supporting roles. Seafood is especially prominent on menus in the Downtown Riverfront neighborhood. Shops in the downtown area have an artsy vibe, focusing on jewelry stores, pop-ups and farmers markets. At Uptown Center on Line Avenue, trendy boutiques and specialty stores are supplemented by counter-service chain eateries, and the East Bank District is the place to go for antiques and home décor. However, the most intensive retail therapy is available on Youree Drive, the longest street in the city and a segment of the Louisiana Highway 1 corridor. Chain restaurants and big-box stores mingle with local mom-and-pop businesses, populating a thoroughfare that’s stimulated residential growth in the surrounding area. “I would say the Youree Drive corridor has the most shopping and dining opportunities not just in Shreveport, but all of northwest Louisiana,” Lytle says.
Beauxjax Craft House is located in the Eastbank District, offering casual dining.
The Boardwalk in the Entertainment District is a shoppers paradise while visiting.
Rhino Coffee is located in the heart of the Eastbank District, offering specialty brews.
The local Walmart is the go to spot for fresh produce and groceries.
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A collage of art, science, history and nature
The Louisiana State Exhibit Museum hosts an impressive collection of Louisiana Native American artifacts. Several museums and galleries spotlight visual art in the city, while Sci-Port Discovery Center features IMAX screens and interactive educational programs. Crawfish and zydeco bands are the highlights of the Mudbug Madness Festival, a three-day Cajun festival that descends on Shreveport over Memorial Day Weekend. In the fall, the nine-day Red River Revel features art and live performances, with plenty of fair food and kid-friendly activities. Shreveport also hosts the State Fair of Louisiana, which brings livestock shows and a rodeo to the city for three weeks in October. Cross Lake, the city’s primary water source, is also used for boating, fishing and hunting, while nearby Lake Bistineau, Toledo Bend and Caddo Lake host numerous fishing tournaments. The Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR) system includes over 60 parks, including Veterans Park Disc Golf Course, ramps and stairs at Stoner Avenue Skate Plaza, and the playground and exercise trail at Betty Virginia Park. Numerous casinos loom large over the riverfront, and most establishments, notably Sam’s Town and Bally’s Shreveport, feature live music venues.
Sci-Port is a popular spot for field trips and educational workshops.
The Louisiana State Fair celebrates community, heritage, and family fun annually.
Fishing on the Red River offers a mix of freshwater species, making it a favorite for anglers.
Frisbee golf at Veterans park offers a mix of strategy and fun in a relaxed environment.
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Magnet schools in Caddo Parish Public Schools District
Most students attend schools in the Caddo Parish Public Schools District, which receives a Niche grade of B. Each elementary schools is highly rated, and Caddo Parish Magnet High School gets an A-plus from Niche. Students need a Caddo Parish address to attend the magnet schools, which is why many families choose to buy in Shreveport rather than on the other side of the river in Bossier City. The city is also home to a campus for Louisiana State University, much smaller than the main campus in Baton Rouge, about 4 hours away.
Things to consider
FBI data indicates higher-than-average crime rates for Louisiana than the U.S. standard, but Shreveport’s rates are high even for the Pelican State. A declining population and high unemployment and poverty rates are possible contributing factors. The risk appears to be higher in the northern and western parts of the city, especially around the airport and casinos, which tend to attract more people. “Shreveport probably gets knocked more than it should,” Wheeler says. “It’s known for high crime, but not the entire city — just bits and pieces here and there.” The city is 200 miles inland, so it avoids most hurricane hazards plaguing Louisiana’s coastal communities. Tornado warnings are standard, but major storm events are rare, keeping the overall weather hazard risk moderate.
Houses of worship in the Bible Belt
Northwest Louisiana is firmly in the Bible Belt, and more than 50 percent of Shreveport identifies as religious. Notable houses of worship include St. Mark’s Cathedral — an Episcopal church that serves as the seat of the Diocese of Western Louisiana — and Antioch Baptist Church, founded by former slaves in 1866. The original B’nai Zion Temple was constructed in 1914 as a gathering place for the region's growing Jewish community; it is now designated a National Historic Place.
Sligo-Mayers hosts a variety of local churches, each with its own community.
The Shreveport Thai temple offers traditional Thai Buddhist ceremonies and teachings.
The local church, First Baptist is close to many Caddo Heights residents.
St. Mark's Cathedral School allows students in Ellerbe Woods to learn based on their faith.
On average, homes in Shreveport, LA sell after 64 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Shreveport, LA over the last 12 months is $200,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$214,900
Median Sale Price
$200,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$209,900
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$167,400
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$99,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
1,980
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
3%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$114
City Facts
Number of Homes
19,786
Number of Homes for Sale
925
Median Year Built
1989
Months of Supply
5.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,809
Below the national average
1,929
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,590
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,170
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
798
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276
Cost of Living Comparison
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Shreveport, LA
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Atkins Technology Elementary School
C-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#2 Blanchard Elementary School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#3 Broadmoor STEM Academy
C-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#4 Caddo Heights Math & Science Elementary School
C-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#5 Cherokee Park Elementary School
C-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#6 Claiborne Fundamental Elementary School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#7 Creswell Elementary School
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#8 Eden Gardens Fundamental Elementary School
A-
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#9 Fairfield Magnet School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Broadmoor STEM Academy
C-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#2 Caddo Middle Magnet
A-
Niche
10
GreatSchools
#3 Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy
C-
Niche
2
GreatSchools
#4 Herndon Magnet School
B+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#5 Northside Elementary School
C-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#6 Ridgewood Middle School
C-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#7 Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#8 Youree Dr. Middle Advanced Placement Magnet School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#9 Turner Elementary/6th Grade Academy
C
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Best Public High Schools
#1 C.E. Byrd High School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#2 Captain Shreve High School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#3 Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy
C-
Niche
2
GreatSchools
#4 Huntington High School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#5 Northwood High School
B-
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#6 Southwood High School
C+
Niche
2
GreatSchools
#7 Booker T. Washington New Technology High School
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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.
