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St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana — County Report Card

LA

#53 in Louisiana

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
41.9
County Score
Soil Quality 94.8Property Tax 88.6Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana

Trailing the National Median Score

St. John the Baptist Parish scores 43.1, placing it below the national median of 50.0. Significant challenges in safety and natural risk weigh down its national profile.

Below the Louisiana State Average

The parish's score of 43.1 is well below the state average of 53.0. Despite strong tax and water scores, it ranks lower than many other coastal and industrial parishes in the state.

Reliable Utilities and Favorable Taxes

The parish excels in water quality with a score of 86.0 and maintains a high tax score of 90.6. A solid income score of 60.1 reflects a healthy median household income of $67,418.

Safety and Natural Risk Pressures

Environmental risk is a major concern with a score of 18.5, and safety is also low at 20.1. Additionally, the cost of housing is high for the area, reflected in a low cost score of 24.8.

For Wage-Earners Seeking Amenities

This parish is a good fit for workers with strong incomes who value quality municipal utilities and low taxes. It appeals to residents willing to trade safety and environmental stability for higher-than-average local earnings.

2040608010088.621.620.142.447.253.618.58627.7Tax88.6Cost21.6Safety20.1Health42.4Schools47.2Income53.6Risk18.5Water86Weather27.741.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

St. John the Baptist Parish DNA

Foverall

How St. John the Baptist Parish compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

St. John the Baptist Parish is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (88.6/100) but notably weak in Safety (20.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
88.6+36.599999999999994
Cost
21.6-26.4
Safety
20.1-34.9
Health
42.4
Schools
47.2
Income
53.6
Risk
18.5-28.5
Water
86+28
Weather
27.7-28.3
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$193,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,334/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$193,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$53,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,630/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

St. Charles Parish
Louisiana
48.2
St. James Parish
Louisiana
50.2
Livingston Parish
Louisiana
43.8
Ascension Parish
Louisiana
40.8
Jefferson Parish
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Orleans Parish
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Lafourche Parish
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Deep Dives

St. John the Baptist Parish across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in St. John the Baptist Parish

via TaxByCounty

St. John the Baptist below national average

St. John the Baptist Parish has an effective property tax rate of 0.451%, well below the national median of 0.955% and in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax of $829 annually is roughly 69% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Slightly above Louisiana's state average

St. John the Baptist Parish's 0.451% effective rate exceeds Louisiana's state average of 0.421% but remains modest by state standards, placing it in the lower-middle tier of parishes. The median annual tax of $829 is just $97 above the state median of $732.

Moderate rate for southeast Louisiana

St. John the Baptist Parish's 0.451% rate is lower than neighboring St. James Parish (0.527%) and St. Charles Parish (0.574%), making it one of the more affordable in the southeast corridor. A St. John homeowner with the median $184,000 property pays roughly $100 less annually than a St. James resident with similar value.

What $184,000 homes cost to own

The typical St. John the Baptist Parish homeowner with a median-valued property of $184,000 pays approximately $829 in annual property taxes at the 0.451% rate. With mortgage and assessment fees, that annual bill reaches $890.

Review your property assessment today

St. John the Baptist residents should verify their assessments reflect fair market value, especially in areas experiencing development or market shifts. A free reassessment appeal to your assessor could significantly reduce your annual tax burden if your home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. John the Baptist Parish

via IncomeByCounty

St. John lags national average by 10%

St. John the Baptist Parish's median household income of $67,418 falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755 by about $7,300, a modest but notable gap reflecting rural-metro hybrid economics. The per capita income of $30,337 slightly exceeds the national average, indicating some wealth concentration among fewer residents.

St. John ranks among Louisiana's top earners

St. John the Baptist Parish's median household income of $67,418 exceeds Louisiana's state average of $55,250 by more than $12,000, positioning it in the upper tier of parish earnings. The per capita income of $30,337 slightly surpasses the state average of $29,702, indicating solid individual earning power.

St. John places third in this sample

St. John the Baptist Parish's $67,418 median income ranks third in this group, trailing St. Charles ($82,172) and St. James ($64,536)—wait, St. James is $64,536, so St. John actually ranks second at $67,418. The parish benefits from its position between the high-earning industrial corridor and moderate rural parishes.

Rising rents compress household budgets

St. John the Baptist Parish's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% is among the highest in this sample, with renters spending nearly one-fifth of earnings on housing costs. Despite solid median income of $67,418, this housing burden leaves households with relatively limited room for aggressive savings and investment.

St. John families should address housing costs

St. John the Baptist Parish households earning $67,418 should explore homeownership or housing assistance to reduce the 19.9% rent burden below 15%. Freeing up that extra $400-500 annually through lower housing costs enables meaningful contributions to retirement and investment accounts, accelerating long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in St. John the Baptist Parish

via CrimeByCounty

Safety Beats National Crime Average

St. John the Baptist Parish has a safety score of 96.7. Its total crime rate of 2,079.3 per 100,000 is approximately 13% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Just Below State Safety Standards

With a crime rate of 2,079.3, the parish is more active than the Louisiana average of 1,853.7. Its safety score of 96.7 sits just below the statewide average of 97.1.

Reliable Data from Local Agencies

The parish shows a higher crime rate than neighboring St. Charles but remains safer than some larger urban centers. It maintains a consistent safety profile despite relying on data from a single agency.

Low Violent Crime, Higher Theft

The violent crime rate is 293.0 per 100,000, which is notably lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime is more prevalent, reaching 1,786.3 incidents per 100,000 residents.

Securing Your Personal Property

Because property crime is the most frequent issue, residents should prioritize securing valuables. Installing security cameras can act as a powerful deterrent for opportunistic thieves in residential areas.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in St. John the Baptist Parish

via WeatherByCounty

Intense Warmth and Extreme Precipitation

St. John the Baptist Parish is significantly warmer and wetter than the national median, averaging 69.1°F and 67.2 inches of rain. This combination creates a truly tropical environment.

Surpassing State Heat and Rain Averages

The parish temperature of 69.1°F and rainfall of 67.2 inches both exceed the Louisiana state averages of 67.0°F and 60.8 inches. It is one of the state's warmest and dampest locales.

Warmer and Wetter Than Neighbors

The parish is warmer than St. Bernard (68.6°F) and wetter than St. James (66.2 inches). It sits at the heart of a very high-precipitation coastal corridor.

Tropical Summers and Snow-Free Winters

Residents face 79 days of heat at or above 90°F, while winters remain quite warm with a 54.8°F average. Snowfall is non-existent, reflecting the parish's deep southern location.

Prioritize Cooling and Storm Prep

With 79 extreme heat days and 67.2 inches of rain, high-capacity HVAC and storm shutters are essential. Constant humidity management is required to protect homes from moisture damage.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in St. John the Baptist Parish

via SoilByCounty

Ideal pH in the Delta

St. John the Baptist Parish has a soil pH of 6.41, which is very close to the national median of 6.5. This makes the soil significantly more balanced than the Louisiana average of 5.74. It is an excellent baseline for almost any type of horticulture or agriculture.

Heavy Clay with High Silt

The soil contains 41.9% clay and 33.5% silt, making for a very fine-textured, heavy earth. With only 5.3% sand, the soil lacks large particles to help with drainage or aeration. This mix is common in river delta regions and provides a massive surface area for nutrient storage.

Extraordinary Fertility and Water Holding

Organic matter is exceptionally high at 21.16%, which is nearly ten times the national average. This high organic content drives a superior available water capacity of 0.221 in/in, well above the state average of 0.182 in/in. This soil is naturally 'pre-fertilized' and holds moisture exceptionally well.

Wetland Characteristics and High Runoff

Though specific classes are missing, the massive organic matter and clay content suggest very slow drainage. These soils likely stay saturated for much of the year, behaving much like a rich peat or muck. Gardeners should use raised beds to ensure proper aeration for plant root systems.

Tropical Growth in Zone 9b

In zone 9b, the long, hot summers and mild winters allow for lush tropical gardens and productive vegetable patches. The high organic matter is perfect for growing bananas, elephant ears, and heavy-fruiting tomatoes. With such rich soil, your garden will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in St. John the Baptist Parish

via LawnByCounty

Lawn Care in the River Parish

St. John the Baptist Parish has a lawn score of 36.6, which is slightly above the state average of 33.8. While it remains more difficult than the national median, local conditions are typical for a Zone 9b climate.

Lush Growth from High Rainfall

The area receives a high 67.2 inches of precipitation and sees 79 extreme heat days annually. With 7,171 growing degree days, the environment supports a very long, high-energy growing season for tropical grasses.

Strong pH in Clay-Heavy Soil

The soil pH is 6.41, which is ideal for most turfgrasses and requires little adjustment. However, the high clay content of 41.9% means you must watch for drainage issues and avoid mowing when the ground is too wet.

Moderate Drought and Recent Dryness

The parish experienced 20 weeks of drought in the past year, though current severe drought only covers 2.1% of the area. This suggests that while long-term dryness occurs, the current environment is relatively stable for lawns.

Early Starts in Zone 9b

The final spring frost usually hits by February 9, giving you a very early start for sodding or seeding. St. Augustine grass is highly recommended here, as it performs well in the parish's clay-heavy, high-moisture soils.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St. John the Baptist Parish's county score?
St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 41.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does St. John the Baptist Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
St. John the Baptist Parish ranks #53 among all counties in Louisiana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in St. John the Baptist Parish is $877, with an effective tax rate of 0.45%. This earns St. John the Baptist Parish a tax score of 88.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in St. John the Baptist Parish?
The median household income in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana is $66,630 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. John the Baptist Parish earns an income score of 53.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
St. John the Baptist Parish scores 41.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #53 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate St. John the Baptist Parish is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare St. John the Baptist Parish with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.