St. James County
LA · Pop. 19,797 · Suburban County
St. James Parish is a suburban county in Louisiana, spanning 238 square miles with 19,797 residents at a density of 83.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on sugarcane, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $198,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.53% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 304-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F and average winter lows of 44°F. Annual rainfall averages 63.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. James Parish Hospital is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 304-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.
- A median home price of $198,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St. James Parish Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- 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 a glance
St. James County, LA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 77/100
- Median home price
- $198k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 304 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 63.9"
- Broadband
- 95.6%
- Nearest hospital
- St. James Parish Hospital, 5.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in St. James County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in St. James Parish?
- St. James Parish is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 304-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F, and average winter lows of 44°F. The established crops are sugarcane, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $198,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.53%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. James Parish Hospital is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in Louisiana
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The closest counties to St. James 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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