Vital Statistics on Baton Rouge : Baton Rouge Area Chamber

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Click here to download or print a compilation of economic indicators for the Baton Rouge region. This document contains pertinent market data such as housing starts, retail sales, occupancy rates, etc.

Baton Rouge Regional Facts at a Glance

Population:
2000 Census: 705,973
2005 Estimate pre-Katrina: 729,282
2007 Estimate: 790,000
2010 Projection: 809,282
Source: US Census (nine-parish MSA)

Civilian Labor Force:
December 2007: 368,062
Source: LA Department of Labor

Unemployed:
December 2007: 12,731
Source: LA Department of Labor

Unemployment Rate:
December 2007: 3.5%
Source: LA Department of Labor

Average Annual Pay – All Sectors: $34,520
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2006

Right-To-Work: Yes
Louisiana is an "at will" employment state.
Source: National Right-To-Work Foundation

Educational Attainment:
More than 83% of residents age 25 and over are high school graduates. About 14% hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Another 23% have some college credit.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2000)

Chart: Education Levels of Baton Rouge Area Population: Approx. 26,000 - K-9; 52,000 Grade 9-12; 125,000 High School Grad.; 85,000 Some College; 106,000 College+

Chart: Population by Age (2005): 48,000 Under 5; 140,000 5 to 19; 52,000 20 to 24; 95,000 25 to 34; 90,000 35 to 44; 89,000 45 to 54; 60,000 55 to 64; 61,000 65+

New Spec Single-Family Home Average Sale Price: $266,423
Over $23,000 (or 9%) lower than the national average price of $289,484.
(2,400 sq. ft. newly site-built multi-level, central air, gas heat, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, living-dining room, kitchen with built-in cabinets, family room, fireplace, utility room, finished basement, attached 2-car garage. 8,000 sq. ft. lot in desirable subdivision)
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Survey (Q2-2006)

Existing Single-Family Home Average Sale Price: $196,357
$21,000 below the national average price of $217,800.
Source: GBRAR MLS Yearly Statistics (2007)

Two-Bedroom Apartment Average Rent: $763
Source: Cook, Moore, & Associates, Fall 2007

Average One-Way Commute Time: 21.1 minutes
Approximately 14% shorter than the national average of 24.7 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2003), East Baton Rouge Parish