Ascension County
LA · Pop. 128,593 · Mixed County
Ascension Parish, Louisiana covers 290 square miles with a population of 128,593 and a density of 443.4 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on sugarcane, hay, soybeans. The median home price is $265,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.53%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 289-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.5°F and average winter lows of 42.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 62.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. Elizabeth Hospital is 1.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 289-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.53% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St. Elizabeth Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 443.4 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Ascension County, LA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $265k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 289 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 62.8"
- Broadband
- 99.2%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Elizabeth Hospital, 1.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ascension County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ascension Parish?
- Ascension Parish is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 289-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.5°F, and average winter lows of 42.3°F. The established crops are sugarcane, hay, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $265,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.53%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Elizabeth Hospital is 1.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 hospitals in the county.
Explore Louisiana Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Louisiana
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The closest counties to Ascension County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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