East Baton Rouge Parish is the hub of the Capital Region and home to the city of Baton Rouge. Featuring living options ranging from downtown lofts to sprawling estates, East Baton Rouge has several residential pockets to explore. For demographic information on East Baton Rouge, visit our regional data page.
Bocage & Old Goodwood
This center-city residential area of Baton Rouge is the perfect mix of local culture and big city amenities. Residents of this neighborhood enjoy favorites local eats like Beausoleil and Eliza, while also having easy access to national chains such as Whole Foods, Gap and Bonefish Grill.
Locals love Bocage & Old Goodwood because:
- Dozens of boutiques and specialty shops make it easy to grab an outfit, gift or housewares on the fly.
- Proximity to downtown, I-10 and I-12 makes it easy for commuters to access all areas of the region.
- An abundance of nightlife as well as family-friendly activities make this area ideal for any age or stage of life.
- Old Goodwood has a neighborhood wine walk event and an annual progressive yard sale with more than 50 stops.
Central
Central is one of the newest cities in Louisiana, yet its landmass and population make it a significant residential area in East Baton Rouge Parish. This quiet town is home to many commuters working downtown and in the northern parishes. Affordable housing options and good schools make Central a destination for people looking for a suburban feel just on the outskirts of the city.
Locals love Central because:
- The top-rated school district is drawing in new residents by the thousands and the uptick in population has brought along branches of several favorite area restaurants and new specialty boutiques.
- The completion of the Central Thruway has made getting to and from Central much easier during rush hours.
- The variety of available housing makes Central an affordable option for people looking for either new homes or more established residences.
Downtown, Spanish Town, & Beauregard Town
Life in downtown Baton Rouge is full of energy with an active community of residents and an ever-growing list of amenities. While the core of downtown offers some loft and recently renovated apartment options, many residents appreciate the charm of the older residential areas just north and south of the central business district. Spanish Town is the northern residential pocket of downtown with close proximity to the capitol and state offices. Beauregard Town is the southern residential pocket easily walkable to North Boulevard Town Square and the business and city/parish government centers around North Boulevard and Government Street.
Locals love downtown because:
- Many of the region’s most popular festivals and parades are held downtown including Live After Five, the Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade, and the Red Stick Farmers’ Market.
- Residents who work and live in downtown frequently walk or bike to work.
- Downtown currently has two bodega-style grocery stores and one full-service grocery.
- Recreational opportunities on the Mississippi River Levee and the bikeable and walkable downtown greenway are easily accessible.
Garden District & Southdowns
The residential areas surrounding City Park and the Perkins Road overpass area are hopping with new development and plenty of day and night activities. Beautiful oak-canopied streets and charming historic architecture are hallmarks of this popular area of town. One of the most walkable areas of Baton Rouge, this area boasts grocery stores, restaurants, boutiques, and boutique fitness, to name a few.
Locals love Garden District & Southdowns because:
- Its proximity to City Park and the lakes makes it optimal for outdoor recreation enthusiasts looking for quick access to golf, walking and running paths, water sports, children’s recreation, or a dog park.
- The Garden District is home to the annual Wearin’ of the Green St. Patrick’s Day parade, a day-long event regularly voted one of the best community events in the Capital Region. Southdowns also holds one of the area’s most popular family-friendly Mardi Gras parades, the Krewe of Southdowns Parade.
- Locally-owned specialty cafés such as City Pork and Magpie Café are mixed in with national retailers like Trader Joe’s and Petco, giving many residents no reason to ever leave the neighborhood.
Kenilworth & Magnolia Woods
These popular neighborhoods located off historic Highland Road are perfect for families looking for a starter home or a more permanent place to settle down. The increase of restaurants and local shopping in this pocket gives residents more grab-and-go options than ever before. Local favorites Matherne’s Supermarket and Sammy’s Grill draw in neighborhood residents as well as patrons from around the region for their unique and locally-sourced offerings. Prominent neighborhoods in this area include Kenilworth, Magnolia Woods, Woodgate, and Pollard Estates.
Locals love Kenilworth & Magnolia Woods because:
- Proximity to the medical corridor makes it ideal for employees of Our Lady of the Lake, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, or Baton Rouge General.
- Family-friendly events and amenities such as the annual Fourth of July Parade, art hops, and Perkins Road Extreme Sports Park give families recreational options right in their backyard.
- Small local gift shops, boutique fitness locations, and restaurants make this area almost feel like a small town within the big city.
- The Red Stick Farmers’ Market makes a visit to this area every Thursday on the grounds of Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
Mid City & Capital Heights
The renaissance underway in Mid City offers residents an array of restaurant and shopping options. Neighborhoods such as Capital Heights and Ogden Park are within walking distance of beautiful BREC parks and local schools. Easy access to downtown and LSU makes this pocket popular for commuters to those areas.
Locals love Mid City because:
- Its designation as an official Louisiana Cultural District means that all original artwork purchased in the area is state tax free. This status has led to the establishment of several art hop events throughout the area such as White Light Night in the Fall, Hot Art Cool Nights in the Spring, and a monthly Mid City Makers Market featuring local artisans.
- For a centrally-located pocket of the city, Mid City has some very affordable housing options, particularly for those in the market for a DIY project.
- The Mid City Redevelopment Alliance is available to assist first-time homebuyers and other special-circumstance homebuyers with their purchase and/or renovation.
North Baton Rouge, Baker, & Scotlandville
The area just north of downtown Baton Rouge and south of Zachary houses the communities of Baker and Scotlandville and the residential pocket of North Baton Rouge. Major employers in the area include ExxonMobil and Turner Industries, offering ample career opportunities in the industrial and petrochemical sectors with very short commutes.
Locals love North Baton Rouge, Baker, & Scotlandville because:
- Close proximity to the airport is helping to drive new businesses to the area such as a surgical hospital and several restaurants.
- Long-time area favorites Tony’s Seafood and Sugarbelle Bakery are right down the road.
- Southern University, located in Scotlandville, brings a surge of visitors and activity every fall with thousands of fans flocking to the campus to enjoy football and the famous “human jukebox” Southern marching band.
- The Baton Rouge Zoo is located in the North Baton Rouge neighborhood, featuring events year-round that are fun for the entire family.
Shenandoah
This hidden gem situated near the booming Sherwood Forest Boulevard/Coursey Boulevard area as well as I-12 has a “city within a city” feel because of its strong neighborhood community vibe. Many area residents send their children to the neighborhood elementary schools and enjoy being in the vicinity of dining and shopping options while still avoiding much of the city hustle and bustle.
Locals love Shenandoah because:
- The family-friendly nature of the area makes it perfect for young families looking for a neighborhood community in which to raise their children.
- Proximity to Livingston Parish makes this an ideal area for families with working adults in East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes.
- Some of the region’s top private schools are in this pocket, including Episcopal, Runnels, and St. Michael’s.
South Baton Rouge – Bluebonnet, Highland, Siegen, U Club, Santa Maria, & CCL
Population growth has exponentially boosted the residency and amenities of this pocket of the region over the past decade. Beautiful new neighborhoods, movie theaters, medical offices, and shopping centers abound in this area on the edge of the parish. Residents looking for a newer home, neighborhood pool, or golf course living will have trouble choosing among the high-quality options here.
A few prominent neighborhoods include Lakes at Highland, Long Farm, Oak Hills, Preserve at Harveston, and Springlake and Fairhill.
Locals love South Baton Rouge because:
- Luxury and golf course neighborhoods such as Country Club of Louisiana (CCL), University Club (U Club), Settlement at Willow Grove, Santa Maria, and Lexington Estates offer single-family and garden style homes, neighborhood club houses, and even neighborhood restaurants.
- Proximity to Ascension Parish makes this an ideal area for families with working adults in East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes.
- Neighborhoods with active neighborhood associations and amenities range from home prices in the $300,000s to $1 million plus.
Zachary
Zachary continues to garner accolades year after year for its family-friendly living and top-rated schools. Situated just twenty minutes north of downtown Baton Rouge, Zachary is a popular home for employees working in downtown, at LSU, and at the North Baton Rouge chemical plants. Once a sleepy, rural suburb, Zachary residents now have the benefit of many retail and restaurant options freeing them from the need to come back into the city after work.
Locals love Zachary because:
- The Zachary Community School District has consistently been rated the top school district in the State of Louisiana for several years.
- An abundance of land has allowed for the development of upscale neighborhoods such as the Americana and golf course neighborhood Copper Mill.
- The drive out of the city of Baton Rouge gives Zachary residents a true sense of suburban living, fully leaving the city at the end of the day to retire to this small town community for the evening.
