District 7
RANK #330 / 996 NAT · #9 / 21 LA · POP 52,191
1YR FORECAST: -2.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
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.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
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.
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 →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 67/100, St. Charles Parish sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +7.0%, and median household income stands at $79,191 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in LA.
Housing in St. Charles Parish is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $248,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,122/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in St. Charles Parish are hiring — job growth of +7.0% — but the population is close to flat (-0.4% YoY). Home values moved +0.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.7% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests St. Charles Parish has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.