NWLA economy finds optimism amid uncertain sectors
From bustling casinos to a housing market that refuses to cool, Northwest Louisiana’s economy showed surprising resilience in the second quarter of 2025. But beneath the momentum lie a few cautionary signals — particularly in jobs and construction — that business leaders will be watching closely.
The Northwest Louisiana Economic Dashboard, released by LSU Shreveport’s Center for Business and Economic Research, paints a picture of a region in transition: buoyed by consumer spending and tourism, but challenged by rising unemployment and softer investment in large-scale projects.
In a climate where 30-year mortgage rates remain stubbornly high at nearly 6.8%, many markets across the U.S. have cooled. Yet in Shreveport-Bossier, the opposite has happened. The median home listing price climbed to $261,025 in June, up from $235,000 just one year ago. Both Bossier and Caddo Parishes reported price growth since the start of the year.
City coffers also benefited. Shreveport collected more than $42 million in tax revenue during the quarter, up 5% from last year. But the construction sector sent mixed signals. The number of building permits ticked up to 250, yet the overall value of those projects slid to $56.5 million — suggesting smaller builds or developers taking a cautious approach.
The clearest red flag came from the labor market. Unemployment across the metro area rose to 5.0%, with Caddo Parish at 5.2%. Bossier Parish fared better at 4.5%, but economists warn that if hiring slows further, consumer spending — which has fueled much of the growth — could begin to wobble.
The standout story of the quarter was gaming and travel. The opening of Live! Casino in February delivered its first full quarter of operations, pushing casino revenues up nearly 15% compared to last year. Importantly, the new venue appears to have expanded the market rather than simply siphoning customers from existing properties. Passenger traffic at Shreveport Regional Airport climbed to 218,778 in Q2, a 19% jump from a year earlier, with May and June setting all-time monthly records.
The Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation showed a mix of resilience and volatility through the second quarter of 2025.
According to its Economic Indicators Report, freight movement at the Port of Caddo-Bossier remained strong, though uneven month to month. Barge tonnage closed the quarter at more than 258,000 tons year-to-date, with June marking a rebound after a softer May. Rail freight followed a similar pattern, topping 359,000 tons year-to-date, underscoring the port’s continued role as a key logistics hub for northwest Louisiana.
Consumer activity revealed both strength and caution. Retail sales across the Shreveport-Bossier metropolitan area continued to drive the local economy, though gains were tempered by seasonal fluctuations. The hospitality sector saw mixed signals: hotel and motel sales edged higher in some months, while others cooled, reflecting shifting travel and tourism patterns.
The riverboat casino industry experienced wide month-to-month swings. Adjusted gross revenues varied sharply across the market’s six properties, with admissions data highlighting the competitive and cyclical nature of the gaming sector. Still, the casinos remain a significant contributor to local revenue streams.
On the construction front, the region demonstrated steady momentum. Shreveport, Bossier City, and the surrounding parishes issued a healthy volume of commercial and residential permits. Values ranged from multimillion-dollar commercial projects in Shreveport to strong residential development across Bossier Parish.
Employment trends, however, introduced a note of caution. The metropolitan labor force remained stable, but unemployment ticked upward from 4.0% in April to 4.7% in May before easing slightly in June.
Altogether, the report reflects a regional economy that is broadly stable but navigating shifting undercurrents. Freight and construction activity remain anchors, while consumer and tourism sectors show signs of both resilience and vulnerability.