CountyScore

West Baton Rouge Parish

Louisiana · LA

#24 in Louisiana
72.5
County Score

County Report Card

About West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

West Baton Rouge leads the group

West Baton Rouge Parish scores 72.5, significantly exceeding the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 72nd percentile nationally. It stands out as a strong livability choice by U.S. standards.

Above average for Louisiana

With a score of 72.5 against Louisiana's state average of 70.4, West Baton Rouge ranks in the upper tier of state parishes. It's among the stronger options for livability in Louisiana.

Higher incomes and excellent health

West Baton Rouge stands out with an income score of 40.4 and median household income of $87,320—significantly higher than peer parishes. Health outcomes at 68.7 and a strong risk score of 68.2 provide excellent stability and wellness.

Housing less affordable than peers

The cost score of 74.7 is the lowest among these eight parishes, reflecting median home values of $225,900 and rents at $1,021/month. Tax burden at 0.591% is also higher than most regional counterparts.

Perfect for higher-earning professionals

West Baton Rouge Parish is ideal for professionals and established families with solid incomes seeking better health services and economic stability. Higher housing costs are offset by superior earning potential and community resilience.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax85.6Cost74.7SafetyComing SoonHealth68.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome40.4Risk68.2WaterComing Soon
🏛85.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼40.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡68.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare West Baton Rouge Parish with another county →

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Benewah County
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White County
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Kossuth County
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Median income: $65,656

Deep Dives

West Baton Rouge Parish across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in West Baton Rouge Parish

via TaxByCounty

West Baton Rouge taxes higher than most U.S. parishes

West Baton Rouge Parish's 0.591% effective tax rate places it in the top third nationally, higher than the state and national averages. While still below many industrial and urban-heavy regions nationally, West Baton Rouge residents pay more in property taxes per dollar of home value than most other Louisiana parishes.

Among Louisiana's highest-taxing parishes

West Baton Rouge Parish's 0.591% effective rate significantly exceeds Louisiana's 0.421% state average, ranking it in the upper quarter of the state's parishes. This reflects higher demand for local services and infrastructure investment in the Capital Region area.

Noticeably higher taxes than nearby parishes

West Baton Rouge's 0.591% rate substantially exceeds West Feliciana Parish (0.516%) and runs far above most surrounding parishes. It represents one of the pricier tax environments in South-Central Louisiana for homeowners.

Median annual property tax bill reaches $1,336

On West Baton Rouge's median home value of $225,900, property owners pay approximately $1,336 per year in property taxes—the highest among Louisiana's eight-parish region. After homestead exemptions, the typical tax burden still averages around $1,167 annually.

Review your assessment for potential overvaluation

West Baton Rouge homeowners facing high tax bills should carefully review their assessed values against recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods. If your property has been assessed above market value, filing an appeal with the parish assessor can result in significant annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in West Baton Rouge Parish

via CostByCounty

West Baton Rouge leads affordability

West Baton Rouge Parish renters enjoy the best affordability among the eight parishes, spending just 14.0% of their $87,320 median income on rent—well below the 30% national threshold. With median household income surpassing the national average by 16.8%, residents command strong housing purchasing power.

Parish outpaces Louisiana average

West Baton Rouge Parish's 14.0% rent-to-income ratio beats Louisiana's state average of 19.5% by 5.5 percentage points, making it the most affordable rental market in the western parishes sample. The parish's higher median income of $87,320 creates this affordability advantage.

West Baton Rouge tops regional peers

West Baton Rouge Parish stands apart with median income of $87,320—more than $13,000 above the next-closest peer—and a median rent of $1,021 that remains manageable at 14.0% of income. Even home values of $225,900 are proportionally affordable for high-earning residents.

High income offsets higher housing

West Baton Rouge Parish renters dedicate 14.0% of their $87,320 annual income to the $1,021 median rent, leaving $75,000 annually for other expenses. Homeowners invest $995 monthly in mortgage and ownership costs, representing 13.7% of income—a balanced approach to housing investment.

Premium option for high earners

West Baton Rouge Parish is ideal for professionals and established families earning above-state-median incomes, offering both rental affordability and higher-quality homeownership options. The parish delivers the region's best overall housing-to-income balance for middle-to-upper-income households.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in West Baton Rouge Parish

via IncomeByCounty

West Baton Rouge exceeds national median

West Baton Rouge Parish households earn $87,320 annually, about 17% above the U.S. median of $74,755. This strong performance ranks the parish among the nation's higher-income areas and reflects industrial employment and proximity to regional economic hubs.

Louisiana's income leader in group

West Baton Rouge Parish's $87,320 median household income towers $32,070 above Louisiana's state average of $55,250, positioning it as one of the state's most prosperous parishes. The premium reflects chemical industry employment and strong regional economic integration.

Substantially wealthier than region

West Baton Rouge's $87,320 median income leads West Feliciana Parish ($74,277) by $13,043 and vastly outpaces all other peers, including Vernon Parish ($58,281) and Vermilion Parish ($57,537). The gap underscores the industrial parish's competitive advantage.

Housing costs well-managed here

West Baton Rouge Parish maintains a healthy 14.0% rent-to-income ratio, well below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating stable housing security. The median home value of $225,900 represents an accessible 2.6x household income multiplier, supporting sustainable homeownership.

Leverage income advantage strategically

West Baton Rouge residents enjoy above-average incomes—capitalize by maximizing 401(k) contributions, exploring investment accounts, and building diversified portfolios. The combination of strong earnings and low housing burden positions residents to accelerate retirement savings and generational wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in West Baton Rouge Parish

via HealthByCounty

Exceeding national life expectancy

West Baton Rouge Parish residents live to 74.5 years, surpassing the U.S. average of 73.5 years by a full year. Just 21.9% report poor or fair health, placing the parish among Louisiana's healthier communities.

Louisiana's healthiest parishes

At 74.5 years, West Baton Rouge Parish outperforms Louisiana's 72.5-year state average by 2 years, ranking among the state's top health performers. The 21.9% poor/fair health rate falls below the state norm, reflecting strong health outcomes.

Regional health leader

West Baton Rouge Parish boasts the highest life expectancy (74.5 years) among all eight parishes, surpassing Vermilion Parish (74.1) and outpacing every other comparison community. Its 21.9% poor/fair health rate also ranks among the lowest in the region.

Lowest uninsured rate in the group

Just 5.8% of West Baton Rouge residents lack insurance—the lowest rate across all eight parishes and well below the state's 8.1% average. However, the parish has only 18 primary care providers per 100,000, requiring residents to access care strategically or travel to neighboring areas.

Maintain coverage advantage

West Baton Rouge's strong health position starts with high coverage: at 5.8% uninsured, the parish leads the region. Continue this momentum by renewing insurance annually and sharing enrollment information with uninsured neighbors through louisiana.gov/dhh.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in West Baton Rouge Parish

via RiskByCounty

West Baton Rouge among lowest-risk parishes

With a composite risk score of 31.84 and very low risk rating, West Baton Rouge Parish sits well below the national average. The parish benefits from an inland location and limited exposure to multiple hazard types.

One of Louisiana's safest parishes

West Baton Rouge's composite score of 31.84 places it among the lowest-risk parishes in Louisiana, far below the state average of 62.37. Only a handful of parishes statewide offer comparable protection across the full spectrum of natural disasters.

Safer than most surrounding communities

West Baton Rouge's risk profile is notably lower than neighboring Iberville and Pointe Coupee parishes, reflecting its slightly more removed inland position. The parish's flood risk of 16.00 is exceptionally low, among the best protected in the state.

Tornado and hurricane risks are moderate

West Baton Rouge's most significant threats are tornado risk (65.55) and hurricane risk (81.98), though both remain below statewide averages. Flood and wildfire risks are exceptionally low at 16.00 and 2.93 respectively, substantially reducing overall parish vulnerability.

Focus on tornado preparedness primarily

West Baton Rouge residents should prioritize tornado safety measures—identify a safe room and maintain wind coverage in homeowners insurance. Standard homeowners policies adequately cover most risks in this low-hazard parish, though a weather radio and evacuation plan remain essential.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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