St. Bernard County
LA · Pop. 44,172 · Mixed County
St. Bernard Parish is a mixed rural-suburban county in Louisiana, spanning 378 square miles with 44,172 residents at a density of 116.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay. The median home price is $192,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.51%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 280-day growing season, average summer highs of 89°F and average winter lows of 42°F. Annual rainfall averages 64.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Ochsner Medical Center - Hancock is 28.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 280-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.51% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $192,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Annual rainfall of 64.7 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Ochsner Medical Center - Hancock, is 28.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 22.6% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
St. Bernard County, LA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 66/100
- Median home price
- $192k
- Property tax
- 0.51%
- Growing season
- 280 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 64.7"
- Broadband
- 94.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Ochsner Medical Center - Hancock, 28.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in St. Bernard County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in St. Bernard Parish?
- St. Bernard Parish is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 280-day growing season, average summer highs of 89°F, and average winter lows of 42°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $192,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.51%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ochsner Medical Center - Hancock is 28.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Louisiana
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The closest counties to St. Bernard 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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