Living in St. John the Baptist

A view of Lake Pontchartrain from St. John the Baptist Parish

Life in St. John the Baptist Parish

St. John the Baptist Parish’s strategic southeastern location provides residents with the best of both worlds: a family-friendly community with suburban and rural housing options and close access to big-city amenities. Residents also have access to two major interstates, I-10 & I-55, which provide easy transportation to the state capital, Baton Rouge, and to Greater New Orleans.

The common thread throughout St. John Parish is the availability of good fun, good friends, and good food. Home to the Andouille (Sausage) Festival for more than 45 years, as well as the world-famous Christmas Eve bonfires along the Mississippi River, St. John is truly a community of family and traditions.

Rankings & Facts

43,184

Population

36.5

Median Age

$53,628

Median Household Income

922

Number of Business Establishments

20,604

Size of Labor Force

5.3%

Unemployment Rate

17,702

Housing Units

87.1%

Owner Occupied Housing Units

$914

Median Gross Rent for Apartments

$152,800

Estimated Median House or Condo Value

Educational Opportunities in St. John the Baptist Parish

The education system in St. John the Baptist Parish offers high-quality, well-regarded programs and institutions that provide the business community with a highly educated workforce. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is a concentration that has been embedded into the K-12 curriculum in its 12 public schools and five private schools. In three short years, the school system status has been elevated to a “B” rating in the latest Louisiana Department of Education rankings, with a goal of soon becoming an “A-rated” school system.

The River Parishes Community College-Reserve Campus (RPCC-Reserve) is a technical training and education partner that serves the entire River Parish region. Workforce training is changing rapidly, paced by technological changes. The regional business community depends on RPCC-Reserve to provide human capital equipped with the skills and knowledge required by employers.

Natural Open Space and Endless Entertainment

St. John the Baptist Parish’s diverse parks and recreation system comprises 10+ acres of ball fields, as well as a multitude of neighborhood parks, natural open spaces with trails, and larger community parks. Recreation centers provide year-round programming and recreational opportunities for all ages, and many special use facilities such as boat launches, fishing piers, athletic field complexes, golf courses, and skate parks.

Entertainment

Andouille Festival – Taking place the third weekend in October, this unforgettable event features music, good times, and great food cooked with andouille sausage. Founded in 1972 as a fundraiser by and for the LaPlace Volunteer Fire Department, the festival grounds are filled each year with thousands of people who descend upon the parish for a fun-filled weekend at the Highway 51 Park.

Cajun Pride Swamp Tours – Lasting about two hours, this boat tour is a fun and informative way to see a scenic swamp and wildlife refuge. Along the way, you may spot many swamp creatures, including alligators, bald eagles, waterfowl, owls, beavers, raccoons, and even black bears.

Where to Live in St. John the Baptist Parish

LaPlace
Settled by German immigrants in the early 18th century in an area known as the “German Coast,” modern-day LaPlace has become a popular bedroom community for those seeking a suburban lifestyle with numerous parks and reasonable housing costs.

Known as the “Andouille Capital of the World” – thanks to the delicious, local delicacy celebrated annually at its Andouille Festival – LaPlace is strategically located at the intersection of I-10 and I-55, two of the country’s most traveled interstates.