Ascension County Public RecordsLouisiana

Ascension Parish, LA, boasts 18 public schools serving around 23,000 students, with a high school graduation rate of 87% and 25% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The district includes three public high schools noted for above-average test scores; in 2023, Dutchtown High scored 27% above the state average. Adult education is available through Ascension Parish Adult Education Center. The district emphasizes school safety, reporting fewer incidents per capita than the state average, and offers robust STEM and arts programs to enhance student learning.

As of 2022, Ascension Parish, LA, had an employment rate of approximately 96% with a labor force participation rate near 64%. Key employment industries include manufacturing (19%), construction (13%), and health care & social assistance (10%). The largest occupation types are in production (14%), office & administrative support (12%), and sales (10%). The average commute time is 29 minutes, with about 86% of workers driving alone and most commuting to East Baton Rouge Parish or within Ascension Parish itself.

Ascension Parish, LA, boasts a homeownership rate of approximately 77%, with median home values around $230,000 in 2023—a steady rise from previous years. Typical housing includes single-family homes, with new subdivisions in Prairieville and Gonzales. Rentals comprise about 23% of the market, with median rents near $1,350/month. Neighborhoods like Dutchtown and St. Amant are popular for families. Ascension’s property tax rate sits at roughly 0.45%, significantly below the national average, making it an attractive option for buyers seeking affordable, suburban living near Baton Rouge.

As of the 2020 Census, Ascension Parish, LA, had a population of approximately 126,500. The median age was 36.6 years, with 25% under 18 and 13% aged 65 or older. Gender distribution was nearly equal: 49.3% male and 50.7% female. The racial and ethnic composition was 67.4% White, 24.3% Black or African American, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 0.6% Asian, and 2.3% identifying with two or more races.

Ascension Parish, LA, has approximately 77,000 registered voters as of 2023. Voters participate in municipal, parish, state, and federal elections, including primaries and runoffs; turnout for major elections often exceeds 60%. Major parties are Republican and Democrat, with recent results favoring Republicans by a 65-35% margin. The Registrar of Voters administers elections, overseeing 42 polling locations. Key election issues include industrial growth, flood management, and education. Voter registration can be completed online, by mail, or in person; identification is required at polls. Election administration is overseen by the Parish Clerk of Court and the local Board of Election Supervisors.

Ascension Parish, LA, has seen fluctuating crime rates, with a 2023 violent crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents, below the national average of 4.0. Property crime is higher, at about 15.5 per 1,000 residents. The sheriff’s office emphasizes proactive policing and community reporting, contributing to a 12% decrease in burglaries and 8% drop in thefts since 2022. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity through the Crime Stoppers hotline, helping to maintain Ascension Parish’s reputation as one of Louisiana’s safer parishes.