District 8
RANK #491 / 996 NAT · #13 / 21 LA · POP 126,973
1YR FORECAST: +0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 scores 50/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#491). Median household income is $93,800 and job growth is running at +3.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Ascension Parish is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $255,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,230/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Ascension Parish is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.3% clip. Home values shifted +0.4% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.7% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Ascension Parish has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.