West Baton Rouge
Louisiana

What stands out

Three things set West Baton Rouge Parish apart from the other 3,142 counties: home internet speed is among the fastest in America (350 Mbps), rainfall is in the top 3% of American counties (59 inches a year), and the average temperature is in the top 4% of American counties (70°F). Within Louisiana it ranks 1st of 64 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. 27,377 people live here with you. The population grew 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +156).

Louisiana moved to a flat 3% income tax in 2025 and has one of the highest combined sales-tax rates in the nation. The homestead exemption removes the first $75,000 of home value from property tax, which keeps property bills low. Hurricane and flood exposure drives insurance costs across the southern parishes, and several insurers have left the state since 2020.

Money

The typical household here brings in $80,510 a year, higher than 88% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $67,548. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 56% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 25 minutes each way.

Louisiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,415 a year.

Home

The median home costs $250K, pricier than 56% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $902 a month. Property tax is 0.55% of home value, roughly $1,233 a year on that median home, lower than 82% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 54% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 27 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.3 years, shorter than 56% of American counties. There are 10 active physicians in the county, about 3.7 per 10,000 people. 6.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 11 points. 70% of eligible voters turned out. Under Louisiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 70°F, highs near 80 and lows near 60, warmer than 96% of American counties. About 59 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 62 out of 100, riskier than 62% of American counties; the county has had 38 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 350 Mbps down, faster than almost every county in America. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.