Baton Rouge is the state capital of Louisiana. It is also the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish, which is the most populated parish in the state of Louisiana. Baton Rouge is a highly populated city, ranked the 99th most populous in the country. At the state level, it is the second-largest city after New Orleans. Baton Rouge is also the 18th most populated state capital. According to the United States Census Bureau, Baton Rouge had a population of 227,470 as of 2020. The dense population and remarkable amenities make it an excellent idea to consider investing in real estate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The History of Baton Rouge
The city of Baton Rouge was incorporated in late 1817. The completion of the Pentagon Barracks Complex in 1822 contributed to the city’s early development. The site was used by the British, French, Spanish, United States Army, and Confederate States Army and was part of the then Republic of West Florida. When the United took control of Louisiana in 1803, Anglo-American settlement increased, especially in the northeastern regions.
When the Civil War broke out, Baton Rouge had a population of around 5,600. The war dealt a massive blow to the city’s economy, with almost every trading activity coming to a halt. In 1951, there was a change of ownership at the Pentagon Barracks as the state of Louisiana took over its management. In the 1960s, there was an economic revival in the region, with the petrochemical industry taking over Baton Rouge.
This stimulated its expansion beyond its initial borders as more people moved to the city. Since the early years, Baton Rouge has relied on industrialization and some forms of agriculture. However, the instability in the oil business negatively impacted the city’s economy, with most activities depending on oil. In the early 1990s, Baton Rouge started experiencing a building boom as more real estate properties were built. The building continued into the early 2000s, with real estate for sale in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, experiencing significant growth.
Baton Rouge Geographic Location
The city is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is in the southeastern Florida Parishes region, where the terrain is generally flat. Baton Rouge is approximately 203 km from Alexandria, 127 km from New Orleans, 400 km from Shreveport, and 90 km from Lafayette. Its proximity to the Greater Houston, Greater Jackson, and Greater New Orleans makes it a top transportation hub between these regions.
Demographics & Industry in Baton Rouge
As of 2020, the United States Census Bureau determined Baton Rouge’s population to be 226,470. In 2019, the consolidated metropolitan area of Baton Rouge had a population of 443,765, according to the American Community Survey. There were 83,744 households in the city, with an average of 2.55 people per household. The city also had a population density of 2,982.3 individuals per square mile.
According to the 2019 population estimates, 21.5% of Baton Rouge households had children under 18 years. There was a 49.5% owner-occupation housing rate in the city, with the median value of each housing unit standing at $173,000. The city’s median gross rent was $875, making it one of the most affordable cities in the southern region. The 2019 census estimates the Baton Rouge median household income to be $44,470. Its per capita income was $28,496. The city’s ethnic and racial makeup was 36.5% White, 54.6% African American and Black, 0.4% Alaska Native and American Indian, and 1.2% from other races. 3.6% of the population were people of Latin or Hispanic origin.
Baton Rouge has a strong economy thanks to the thriving industries. Its strong economy has had the city ranked among the top 10 places for young adults to live and invest in the United States. In 2009, CNN ranked Baton Rouge the 9th-best place in the United States to start a business. All these remarkable accolades make it a lucrative business idea to invest in real estate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Several established companies are operating in the city. For instance, Lamar Advertising Company runs its operations and headquarters in Baton Rouge. Other established companies with businesses in the city include Marucci Sports, BBQGuys, Chicken Fingers, and Piccadilly Restaurants.
Arts & Entertainment in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge has a lot to offer regarding arts and entertainment. It has a growing visual arts scene, with most of the facilities-based downtown. Some of the professional performing arts companies based in Baton Rouge include Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Baton Rouge, and Opera Louisiane. There are numerous venues you can enjoy live performances in the city, including the Shaw Center for the Arts.
Launched in 2005 by the city council, this facility houses the LSU Museum of Art, Brunner Gallery, contemporary art galleries, the Manship Theater, and several restaurants. The Louisiana Art and Science Museum at the heart of Baton Rouge is another prominent facility for entertainment. It contains various travelling art exhibits, Irene W. Pennington Planetarium, the ancient Egyptian section, and various space displays. This is a great place to spend time if you consider buying real estate for sale in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Things To Do in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge is one of the largest cities in the state of Louisiana. Sitting picturesquely along the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge has gives you a wide range of things to do and explore. There are many attractions around the city, particularly in the fall or spring when temperatures are perfect. When staying here, you will have plenty of fun things to do, whether it is outdoors or touring historical buildings.
One of the biggest attractions in Baton Rouge is the Old State Capitol building. It is a remarkable Gothic-Revival castle built in 1847 and offers a lot. The structure is an excellent place to visit both from an architectural and historical perspective. Most visitors have photo sessions here because the building is worth a look both from the outside and inside.
The building was burned down by the Union Army but was reconstructed in 1882 by the then territorial government. It served as the state capitol until the early 1930s, when the government opened the new State Capitol building. The attractive and state-of-the-art structure standing high on the hill overlooking the Mississippi River is now a museum. You can visit it to learn more about the history of Baton Rouge and the state of Louisiana.
Another great place to visit in Baton Rouge is the Louisiana State Capitol, which has been in existence since the 1930s. The landmark building has 35 floors and stands 450 feet high. It is one of the tallest buildings in the city, realigning the city skyline and helping expand real estate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The limestone on the building’s exterior is filled with many symbolic images and paintings. The images represent the state and its deep traditions. The building’s interior has marble that matches well with the ornate furnishings across the facility. This is a great place to learn about the city’s history and early activities.
The Baton Rouge Zoo is another ideal place to visit in the city. It is home to both domestic and exotic animals. Some of the animals in this zoo are large cats, fish, otters, rhinos, amphibians, and reptiles of Louisiana. There is also a Parrot Paradise within the zoo. This sanctuary has a rare breed of colorful birds from the tropical area, including macaws and parrots. There is also an open garden within the zoo, making it an ideal place to pass the time.
If you love watching live performances, you will enjoy the Shaw Center for the Arts found within Baton Rouge. It encompasses an entire city block that overlooks the Mississippi River with a lot of fun activities on offer. The state-of-the-art multi-faceted facility was established in 2005. Since then, the facility has hosted numerous cultural events, including the Annual Art Exhibition that is held here. The Manship Theater, which is part of the Shaw Center, showcases various international talent acts with a focus on dance, music, and instruments.
Schools in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge has several established schools in Louisiana. The East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools District serves primary and secondary schools in the city. The city is home to 27 charter schools with an enrollment of over 11,500 students. The are several universities in the city. The Louisiana State University, commonly known as LSU, is a public university based in Baton Rouge. LSU is the largest university in the state with an enrollment of over 30,000 students. It has also has 1,350 full-time faculty members.
Conclusion
Baton Rouge is a remarkable place to live in Louisiana. It is highly profitable to invest in real in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, given the city’s great amenities. There is plenty on offer in this city, whether it is exploring historical buildings or touring state parks. Besides, real estate for sale in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is in high demand thanks to a thriving economy and increasing population. The presence of several established companies in the city also means there are many employment opportunities for those looking for jobs.
