St. John the Baptist County
LA · Pop. 41,342 · Mixed County
St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana covers 214 square miles with a population of 41,342 and a density of 193.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on sugarcane. The median home price is $184,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.45%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 304-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F and average winter lows of 44°F. Annual rainfall averages 64.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. James Parish Hospital is 14.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, 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 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.45% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $184,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
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 nearest hospital, St. James Parish Hospital, is 14.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
St. John the Baptist County, LA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 54/100
- Median home price
- $184k
- Property tax
- 0.45%
- Growing season
- 304 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 64.3"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- St. James Parish Hospital, 14.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in St. John the Baptist County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in St. John the Baptist Parish?
- St. John the Baptist Parish is in USDA hardiness zone 9b 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.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $184,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.45%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. James Parish Hospital is 14.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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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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