Back

Plain Dealing is a small town in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, located in the northwestern corner of the state north of Shreveport and not far from the Arkansas line. With a 2020 census population of 893, it is one of the more rural incorporated communities in the parish, set amid the farmland and pine timber country that define northern Louisiana. Its name and early growth reflect the agricultural and rail-era settlement patterns of the late nineteenth century. The town was chartered in 1890, and its school history reaches back even further: Pioneer High School opened near the present Plain Dealing High School site in December 1888. Education has been a throughline of the community ever since, and the town remains part of the Bossier Parish school system, which serves the surrounding countryside as well. Plain Dealing functions as a compact residential and commercial center for the surrounding farming and timber country. Its layout centers on a small downtown area, with homes, churches, and local businesses radiating outward into open fields and woods. The pace of life is quiet, and the town's identity is rooted in generations of families tied to the land, many of whom trace their roots to the cotton and timber economy that built the parish. The surrounding landscape is dominated by pine forest and working farmland, and outdoor pursuits such as hunting and fishing are part of everyday life. Community life revolves around the schools, churches, and the small businesses of the downtown core, with seasonal events and school athletics providing common gathering points. Shreveport and Bossier City are reachable by road, giving residents access to regional employment, health care, higher education, and retail while preserving the town's distinctly rural, small-town setting. That balance — rural character with metro access within a drive — defines Plain Dealing's role within Bossier Parish and its appeal to those seeking a slower, space-oriented way of life in northwest Louisiana.

Population 893

County Bossier Parish

Active Listings 36

Browse by Listing Type

attach_moneyFor Sale editFor Rent

Browse by Property Type

homeHouses apartmentCondos & Apartments holiday_villageTownhouses & Duplexes crop_landscapeLots & Land parkFarms & Ranches

Frequently Asked Questions

What parish is Plain Dealing in?

Plain Dealing is in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, in the northwestern corner of the state, north of Shreveport and not far from the Arkansas line. The 2020 census counted 893 residents, and the town was chartered in 1890.

What school district serves Plain Dealing?

Plain Dealing is part of Bossier Parish Schools. The town's school history dates to Pioneer High School, which opened in 1888, and Plain Dealing High School continues to serve the area today within the parish district.

How far is Plain Dealing from Shreveport?

Plain Dealing lies north of Shreveport in Bossier Parish, within driving distance of the Shreveport–Bossier City metro area. Residents can reach regional employment, health care, and retail by road while living in a rural small-town setting.

City Guide

About Plain Dealing

Real Estate & Housing

Housing in Plain Dealing consists largely of older single-family homes on established lots, with more land available at the town's edges as the community transitions into surrounding farmland. The stock is modest in scale and reflects the town's small, rural character rather than large-scale development. Homes are generally owner-occupied, and lot sizes tend to be more generous than in the Shreveport–Bossier City core. Buyers here are often drawn by the combination of a quiet small-town setting, larger yards, and proximity to the metro area's services.

Neighborhoods

Plain Dealing is small enough that it is understood more as a single community than as a collection of distinct neighborhoods. A compact core of homes, churches, and civic buildings surrounds the downtown area, while the town's edges give way to farmland and timber tracts. Its most recognizable anchors are the school campus and the downtown commercial blocks. The absence of large subdivisions keeps the town's scale intimate, and new building tends to infill existing lots or spread modestly along the town's outskirts.

Lifestyle in Plain Dealing

Life in Plain Dealing is quiet and community-centered, shaped by the rhythms of a small rural town. Churches, school activities, and local events form the social backbone, and residents know the town by its families and shared history. The surrounding countryside supports hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation common to northern Louisiana, while Shreveport and Bossier City offer broader dining, shopping, and entertainment within a drive. The result is a lifestyle that values space, familiarity, and a slower pace.

Schools & Education

Plain Dealing is served by Bossier Parish Schools. The town's education history dates to Pioneer High School, which opened in 1888 near the present Plain Dealing High School campus, and the school building was purchased by the town and donated to the Bossier Parish School Board in the 1890s. Plain Dealing High School continues that legacy today as part of the parish district, serving the town and surrounding area within the broader Bossier Parish system.

Getting Around

Plain Dealing sits in northern Bossier Parish, connected by state and parish roads to the surrounding countryside and, further south, to Bossier City and Shreveport. The town is oriented around personal vehicles, with no fixed-route transit. Its location north of the metro area means regional amenities and the nearest commercial airport are reached by road, typically through the Shreveport–Bossier City corridor. Rural highways and two-lane routes define most local travel, reinforcing the town's quiet, out-of-the-way character.

Parks & Recreation

Outdoor recreation around Plain Dealing reflects the timbered, rural landscape of northern Louisiana. Hunting, fishing, and open-air activities are woven into local life, with lakes and river systems of the region within reach. The town's school and church grounds host community gatherings, and organized sports and events center on the local schools. For larger parks, retail, and entertainment, residents travel to the Shreveport–Bossier City area, keeping Plain Dealing itself a quiet base for country living.

MARKET SNAPSHOT