RANK #655 / 996 · POP 126,973 · LA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%
Gonzales, known as the "Jambalaya Capital of the World," hosts an annual festival celebrating the iconic Cajun dish, drawing many visitors. Ascension Parish is located in southeast Louisiana, positioned along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Commuting is common, with many residents traveling to Baton Rouge for work, though traffic on I-10 and Highway 30 can be heavy. The community offers a blend of suburban living with a Southern feel. Outdoor recreation includes parks like Jambalaya Park and Duplessis Park, offering walking trails and playgrounds. The Houmas House Estate and Gardens, a historic sugar plantation, provides a glimpse into the region's past with its architecture and extensive gardens.
Life in Ascension Parish often involves families drawn by the highly rated public school system. The parish has experienced consistent population growth, fueled by job creation and industrial expansion. The economy is driven by heavy industry and manufacturing, particularly chemical and petrochemical production, with facilities located along the Mississippi River. This industrial base creates opportunities for a range of supporting businesses and contributes significantly to the local economy. The parish also has a strong agricultural heritage, notably in sugarcane production.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.2x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Ascension Clean Energy (ACE) Hydrogen-Ammonia Production Facility
Clean Hydrogen Works (in partnership with Denbury Carbon Solutions and Hafnia)
|
$7,500M | Proposed |
|
Hyundai Steel Plant
Hyundai Steel Company
|
$5,800M | Planned |
|
Air Products Blue Hydrogen Manufacturing Complex
Air Products
|
$4,500M | Under Construction |
|
CF Industries Low-Carbon Ammonia Facility
CF Industries
|
$4,000M | Under Construction |
|
Renewable Energy Group (REG) Biorefinery Expansion
Renewable Energy Group Inc.
|
$825M | Completed |
|
Capchem USA Lithium-ion Battery Materials Plant
Capchem USA
|
$350M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Ascension Parish has a Boom Town Index score of 34/100, ranking #655 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.3% and a median household income of $93,800, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Ascension Parish is $255,600 with median rent at $1,230/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.367, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.3%. Home values changed +0.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.7% of Ascension Parish's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.