St. Martin County
LA · Pop. 51,559 · Suburban County
St. Martin Parish is a suburban county in Louisiana, spanning 737 square miles with 51,559 residents at a density of 70 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on sugarcane, rice, soybeans. A median home price of $151,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.4% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 301-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.5°F and average winter lows of 43.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 63 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Dauterive Hospital is 13.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 83.2% 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 301-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.4% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $151,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% 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.
At a glance
St. Martin County, LA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $151k
- Property tax
- 0.4%
- Growing season
- 301 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 63"
- Broadband
- 83.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Dauterive Hospital, 13.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in St. Martin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in St. Martin Parish?
- St. Martin Parish is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 301-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.5°F, and average winter lows of 43.7°F. The established crops are sugarcane, rice, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $151,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.4%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 83.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Dauterive Hospital is 13.5 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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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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