The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.
Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.
A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.
What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.
Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Baton Rouge. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.
Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Baton Rouge.
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Laura Beach // Shutterstock
1 / 9#9. Addis, Louisiana
- Population: 6,779
- Median home value: $233,700
- Median rental price: $890
- Top schools nearby: University Laboratory School (grade A), Brusly High School (grade B+), Brusly Upper Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Joseph's Academy (grade A), Catholic High School (grade A), St. John High School (grade C)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: A−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−
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2 / 9#8. Denham Springs, Louisiana
- Population: 9,393
- Median home value: $176,500
- Median rental price: $1,064
- Top schools nearby: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (grade A+), Tanglewood Elementary School (grade A), University Laboratory School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (grade A+), The Dunham School (grade A), St. Joseph's Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: A−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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3 / 9#7. Brusly, Louisiana
- Population: 2,585
- Median home value: $260,600
- Median rental price: $850
- Top schools nearby: University Laboratory School (grade A), Brusly High School (grade B+), Brusly Upper Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Joseph's Academy (grade A), Catholic High School (grade A), Jehovah-Jireh Christian Academy (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: A−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−
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4 / 9#6. Village St. George, Louisiana
- Population: 8,919
- Median home value: $245,500
- Median rental price: $1,361
- Top schools nearby: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (grade A+), Bluff Middle School (grade A), Bullion Primary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (grade A+), The Dunham School (grade A), St. Joseph's Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock
5 / 9#5. Oak Hills Place, Louisiana
- Population: 8,813
- Median home value: $402,100
- Median rental price: $1,178
- Top schools nearby: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (grade A+), Bluff Middle School (grade A), Bullion Primary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (grade A+), The Dunham School (grade A), St. Joseph's Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−
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6 / 9#4. Old Jefferson, Louisiana
- Population: 8,162
- Median home value: $205,000
- Median rental price: $1,220
- Top schools nearby: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (grade A+), Bluff Middle School (grade A), Bullion Primary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (grade A+), The Dunham School (grade A), St. Joseph's Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−
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7 / 9#3. Shenandoah, Louisiana
- Population: 18,561
- Median home value: $297,000
- Median rental price: $1,169
- Top schools nearby: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (grade A+), Bluff Middle School (grade A), Bullion Primary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (grade A+), The Dunham School (grade A), St. Joseph's Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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8 / 9#2. Inniswold, Louisiana
- Population: 6,236
- Median home value: $318,000
- Median rental price: $1,316
- Top schools nearby: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (grade A+), Bluff Middle School (grade A), Bullion Primary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (grade A+), The Dunham School (grade A), St. Joseph's Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
9 / 9#1. Prairieville, Louisiana
- Population: 34,215
- Median home value: $292,100
- Median rental price: $1,204
- Top schools nearby: Baton Rouge Magnet High School (grade A+), Bluff Middle School (grade A), Bullion Primary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (grade A+), The Dunham School (grade A), St. Joseph's Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.
