Moving and storage go hand in hand. Whether traveling across town or the country, moving is an exciting and fresh start. While Storage Rentals of America is here to help you with all your storage needs, we also want to help you get familiar with the area. That's why we put together this resource guide for Baton Rouge.

About Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge is on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River. It is the state capital of Louisiana. The 2020 census counted 227,470 people living there. It is the seat of the Baton Rouge Parish, which is equivalent to a county in other states.

The city developed on the Istrouma Bluff, which offered protection from seasonal flooding. A robust levee system was installed from the bluff southward. It is supposed to offer protection to the riverfront and the low-lying agricultural areas.

Because the city is more inland than the larger city of New Orleans on the coast, it has less risk of hurricane damage; however, storm surge can be problematic. The levee system is in need of an upgrade in light of the severe weather potential caused by climate change.

Historically, the area had an influx of emigrants from many parts of Europe and enslaved people brought from Africa. It was ruled by the French, British, and Spanish at different points in its history, which accounts for the mixture of cultures.

In contemporary times, the city is known for its culturally rich experiences, amazing food, and fun activities. It is a college town, with a large number of students from Louisiana State University and the other schools in the area.

What to do in Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge has many nice features and wonderful things to experience.

• Features: The Mississippi River is the major feature of the area for boating and transportation.
• Events: The city has tons of holiday celebrations. There is a symphony, a ballet, many theaters, and art festivals. In 2020, an entire area of the city was designated as its Cultural District.
• Museums: There are more than a dozen museums to explore, including the popular ones of the Museum of Public Art, the African American Museum, the Museum of Natural Science, the Addis Historical Museum, and the Capitol Park Museum.
• Destination: The Burden Museum & Gardens is 440 acres of gorgeous gardens. There are five miles of walking paths and a lovely open-air museum.

Working in Baton Rouge, LA

The local economy depends on healthcare, education, retail, and hospitality. The unemployment rate is 7.5%, which is very high. The median household income is $46,282 per year, which is almost $23,000 lower than the American average of $69,021. The economy is declining when compared to the national average. Baton Rouge's predicted job growth rate for the next decade is a measly 24.4%, compared to the national rate of 33.5%.

The industries offering the most jobs are education (13%), hospitality (11.4%), healthcare (10.3%), construction (7.1%), professional services (6.8%), public administration (5.2%), and support services/waste management (4.4%).

Baton Rouge, LA Neighborhoods

The best neighborhoods with the most expensive homes are near the city center and along the river.

Here are a few areas with nice homes for sale:

• Bocage Citiplace: This nice neighborhood is near the city center. It has a median real estate price of $721,209, which is more expensive than 93.7% of Louisiana. Most homes were built between 1970 and 1999. Rental homes are $2,066 monthly. The vacancy rate is very high at 24.1% due to the high turnover of vacation rentals.
• Lafitte Hill / Highland Lakes: This nice neighborhood is on the south side of the city. The median real estate price is $654,827. Apartments and homes are available for an average rent of $1,921 monthly. The vacancy rate is 3.8%, so renting in this area is challenging.
• Oakbrook / Lakeside: The median real estate price in this neighborhood is $592,863. Rental homes are available for an average rent of $1,884 per month. There are also apartment complexes and high-rise residential buildings. The vacancy rate is high at 24.9%. Finding a place to rent is easy.
• Southside: The median real estate price is $589,006. This neighborhood has a mixture of homes, condominiums, and townhouses. Most of the houses are owner-occupied. They were built between 1970 and 1999 with a few newer houses. The vacancy rate is 13.3%. The average rent is $2,059 per month.

Baton Rouge, LA School District

The public school district is the East Baton Rouge Schools. The school district spends $15,642 annually per student. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16 to one, which is a nice size.

There are 54 private schools in the Baton Rouge area. The top three private schools are the Dunham School (NS to 12th), Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (PK to 12th), and Hosanna Christian Academy (PK to 8th).

There are 12 schools within a 50-mile radius. The best universities are the public, four-year school of the Southern University and A& M College and the public four-year school of Louisiana State University.

Moving to Baton Rouge, LA Resource Guide

The municipal government is the combined administration of the City of Baton Rouge and the Parish of East Baton Rouge. There is an elected mayor and 12 members serving on the Metropolitan Council.

The Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge manages the public parks, playgrounds, programs, and recreational centers.

Baton Rouge, LA Housing

The median home price in Baton Rouge is $290,000, declining by -3.3% year-over-year. It is a buyer’s market with more homes listed for sale than there are interested buyers looking to buy a home.

The cost of living in Baton Rouge is 3% higher than other cities in Louisiana and 5% lower than the national average across the United States.