In French, “baton rouge” means red stick. In 1699, French visitors called a spot on the Mississippi River baton rouge because of a boundary marker pole stained with animal blood. Now, that spot is the 88.5 square-mile capital of Louisiana. Baton Rouge has also become a major film, medical, industrial, and tech center of the American South. Its median age is 32 (2022).

When it comes to real estate, Baton Rouge has home styles typical of this area of the U.S., such as Acadian and Creole. They line residential neighborhoods alongside cottages/bungalows, and Ranch-style homes. A house here costs an average of $235,396, up 14% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). Residents can fill their calendars with year-round events, including the Baton Rouge Mardi Gras, a blues festival, and soul food festival.

Three interstate highways, I-10, I-12, and I-110, serve the city. Just off the north-south I-110 is Mid City, a sought-after neighborhood that's popular with singles and young professionals. Also close to I-110 is the Garden District, a great area for families that has many historic homes and green spaces. To the south sits Highland/Perkins, a tight-knit and pet-friendly neighborhood with a relaxed vibe.

Baton Rouge is one of the most exciting and memorable cities in the South. Plantations, monuments, and museums all combine to bring the city’s rich history to life.