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St. Charles Parish, LA

RANK #945 / 996  ·  POP 52,191  ·  LA

PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.5%

St. Charles Parish ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why St. Charles Parish?

St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, known as the "Parish of Plenty," is distinguished by its location along the Mississippi River and its historical ties to the 18th-century German Coast settlement. This area, approximately 25 miles west of New Orleans, offers a blend of rural charm and convenient access to a major city. Commute times to New Orleans by car are around 37 minutes. The parish is bisected by the Mississippi River, with communities like Destrehan and Luling on either side, connected by the Hale Boggs Bridge. Outdoor recreation is available at places like Wetland Watchers Park, offering nature walks, fishing, and camping, and the Bonnet Carré Spillway, which provides trails for mountain biking and birdwatching.

Life in St. Charles Parish often appeals to families, drawn by its highly-rated public school system. The economy, historically agricultural, transitioned to industry in the 20th century with the rise of energy and petrochemical sectors. Recent economic developments show continued investment in these areas, alongside growth in transportation and alternative fuels. The parish's position within the Port of South Louisiana, a major port district, further contributes to its economic landscape.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
1.4x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+9.8%

Well above national median

Home Prices
+0.8%

Below national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.1

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
14x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks undervalued at 1.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

St. Charles Parish U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
52,191
-0.42% YoY
Median Household Income
$79,191
Median Home Value
$248,600
+0.78% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,122
Average Annual Pay
$97,088
+5.1% YoY
Employment
26,212
+7.0% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3185
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.7%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$359,000
Days on Market
95
Slower market
Months of Supply
5.4
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.9%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
3.4%
Listings w/ Price Drops
19.0%
Building Permits (2024)
74
Single-Family Permits
74

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$7,549M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
St. Charles Clean Fuels (Blue Ammonia and Hydrogen Production)
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners & Sustainable Fuels Group
$4,600M Proposed
Southern Energy Renewables Aviation Fuel Production Facility
Southern Energy Renewables
$1,400M Planned
St. Charles Power Station (Natural Gas)
Entergy Louisiana LLC
$870M Operating
Entergy Louisiana Generation Facility at Waterford Site (supporting Meta data center)
Entergy Louisiana
$550M Planned
Drainage, Road, Residential Elevations and Water Infrastructure Improvements (Grant Pipeline)
St. Charles Parish Government
$129M Proposed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +9.8% 98 percentile
Population Growth -0.4% 12 percentile
Income Growth +9.8% 78 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.7% 85 percentile
Home Price Change +0.8% 42 percentile
Rent Growth +4.6% 74 percentile
Price/Rent 14x 43 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is St. Charles Parish, LA a good place to move to?

St. Charles Parish has a Boom Town Index score of 5/100, ranking #945 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +7.0% and a median household income of $79,191, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is St. Charles Parish affordable?

The median home value in St. Charles Parish is $248,600 with median rent at $1,122/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3185, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is St. Charles Parish growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +7.0%. Home values changed +0.8% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to St. Charles Parish?

Yes — 4.7% of St. Charles Parish's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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