Baton Rouge

by The Linguist

Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The Capital City

Baton Rouge is the capital and second-largest city in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 census, Baton Rouge had a population of 225,362, making it the 99th most populous city in the United States. Located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish.

History

The area now known as Baton Rouge was first settled by Native Americans of the Mississippian culture in the 700s AD. The name Baton Rouge is French for “Red Stick” and refers to a reddish cypress pole that marked the boundary between the hunting grounds of the Houma and Bayou Goula tribal groups. French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville led the first European settlers to the area in 1699. In 1763, the Treaty of Paris gave the land that is now Baton Rouge and much of the surrounding area to Great Britain after the end of the Seven Years’ War. The area was ceded back to Spain in 1779 and then became part of the United States in 1810 as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

Baton Rouge officially incorporated as a town in 1817 and as a city in 1898. It served as the capital of the Confederate States of America for a short time during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. The city continued to grow and industrialize in the post-war years. Today, the petrochemical industry makes up a sizable sector of Baton Rouge’s diverse economy.

To read more about the history of Baton Rouge, visit the city’s history page on the official government website.

Geography and Climate

Baton Rouge is located in southeastern Louisiana where the Mississippi River flows south from the Mississippi Delta. The city has a total area of 79.11 square miles. Part of the city extends into West Baton Rouge Parish.

Baton Rouge has a humid subtropical climate, typical of the Deep South. Summers are long, hot, and humid while winters are short and mild. The average July high is 92°F and the average January low is 44°F. Rainfall is significant, with an annual average of nearly 60 inches spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Demographics

According to 2020 census data, Baton Rouge had a population of 225,362 making it the second-most populous city in Louisiana after New Orleans. Some fast facts about the city’s demographics:

  • 55.2% Black or African American
  • 36.2% White
  • 3.5% Asian
  • 3.2% Hispanic/Latino
  • Median Age: 33
  • Male: 47.7%
  • Female: 52.3%

The Greater Baton Rouge metropolitan area, which includes surrounding suburbs, had an estimated 2020 population of 854,318 according to census data.

Economy and Major Employers

As the state capital and second-largest city, Baton Rouge is a major economic hub of Louisiana. Total GDP for the Baton Rouge metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was $55.5 billion as of 2018. Top employment sectors include government, education, healthcare, manufacturing, petrochemical production, information technology, and research.

Some of the largest employers in Baton Rouge include:

  • State of Louisiana – 34,900 employees
  • Louisiana State University – 12,500 employees
  • Turner Industries – 10,700 employees (Website – (225) 346-3981 – 2857 North Arnoult Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70816)
  • Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University – 7,000 employees
  • Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center – 3,623 employees
  • Baton Rouge General Medical Center – 3,500 employees
  • ExxonMobil Chemical – 3,235 employees
  • City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge – 4,100 employees
  • Albemarle Corporation – 1,200 employees

In addition to large corporations and government, small businesses make up a vital part of the local economy. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s economic development initiatives assist local entrepreneurs and attract new companies to the region.

Attractions and Events

As the capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge offers a variety of historical, cultural, and recreational attractions for visitors and residents alike. Popular sites include:

  • Louisiana State Capitol – Soaring 34 stories high, the art deco-style capitol building houses exhibits on state government and history. Address: 900 N. 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70804. Phone: (225) 342-7317. Website.
  • Louisiana Old State Capitol – The Gothic Revival-style historic former statehouse now operates as a museum and event venue. Address: 100 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70801. Phone: (225) 342-0500. Website.
  • USS Kidd – Tour a Fletcher-class destroyer that served in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Address: 305 South River Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Phone: (225) 342-1942. Website.
  • LSU Museum of Art – Home to a prominent collection of over 6,000 works. Address: 100 Lafayette Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Phone: (225) 389-7200. Website.
  • Baton Rouge Zoo – Get up close with exotic wildlife from around the world. Address: 3601 Thomas Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70807. Phone: (225) 775-3877. Website.
  • Rural Life Museum – Explore historic Acadian, Creole, and antebellum homes and artifacts. Address: 4560 Essen Ln, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Phone: (225) 765-2437. Website.

Popular annual events in Baton Rouge include Mardi Gras celebrations, the July 4th Red Stick Revelry festival, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival, Bayou Country Superfest, and the Global Louisiana Music Festival.

Sports

Baton Rouge is home to several professional, collegiate, and minor league sports teams, most notably:

  • LSU Tigers – The Louisiana State University NCAA Division I football, basketball, baseball, and other teams compete in the SEC Conference. Website: lsusports.net
  • Southern Jaguars – NCAA Division I athletics including football, basketball, baseball and more at Southern University. Website: gojaguarssports.com
  • Baton Rouge Riverbats – Semi-pro soccer team playing in the Gulf Coast Premier League. Website: riverbats.com

LSU’s Tiger Stadium, known as “Death Valley,” hosts home football games and is one of the largest stadiums in the NCAA. Tailgating is a popular tradition.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Even in the heart of the city there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in Baton Rouge. Notable parks and recreational areas include:

  • Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center – Wildlife sanctuary featuring boardwalk trails through a cypress swamp habitat. Address: 10503 N Oak Hills Pkwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70810. Phone: (225) 757-8905. Website.
  • City Park Lake – Public park surrounding a lake popular for walking/running trails, fishing, and pedal boating. Address: 1515 Dalrymple Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Phone: (225) 272-9200. Website. GPS Coordinates: 30.4577, -91.1781.
  • Independence Park – Features tennis courts, swimming pool, ball fields, 1.3 mile walking track. Address: 7800 Independence Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70806. Phone: (225) 774-2421. Website. GPS Coordinates: 30.3996, -91.0933.

There are also many other community parks, playgrounds, gardens, and golf courses located throughout the city. The Mississippi River provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water recreation.

Education

Baton Rouge is home to several colleges and universities as well as public and private primary and secondary schools. Notable institutions include:

  • Louisiana State University – Flagship public university enrolling over 30,000 students. Website: lsu.edu
  • Southern University – Historically black public college founded in 1880. Website: subr.edu
  • Baton Rouge Community College – Two-year community college offering associate degrees. Website: mybrcc.edu
  • East Baton Rouge Parish School System – Operates 85 public schools serving around 42,000 students. Website: ebrschools.org
  • Catholic High School – Private Catholic high school founded in 1894. Website: catholichigh.org

Baton Rouge benefits from its proximity to major universities as well as strong K-12 school systems. The East Baton Rouge Parish Library operates a citywide system with 14 branch locations.

Transportation

Baton Rouge is conveniently located at the intersection of two major interstate highways:

  • I-10 runs east-west connecting Baton Rouge to New Orleans, Lafayette, and other cities along the Gulf Coast.
  • I-12 runs north-south connecting Baton Rouge to Hammond, Mandeville, and Slidell.

Additional highways serving the city include I-110, I-210, and US 61. The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) provides commercial passenger flights and air cargo service.

Public transportation is provided by the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) bus network. Routes serve popular destinations including downtown, LSU, and the Mall of Louisiana. Fare is $1.75 per ride. See route maps and schedules at brcats.com.

Living in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge offers an affordable cost of living compared to other urban areas. Housing options range from historic neighborhoods downtown to suburban communities. The cuisine, music, and culture reflect the city’s French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and Native American heritage.

The city does face challenges including poverty, crime, urban blight, and racial tensions. However, community leaders and residents are working to address these issues and make Baton Rouge a place of opportunity for all.

To keep up with local news and events, follow the city’s Facebook page or visit brla.gov, the official city government website.

Map of Baton Rouge

This embedded Google Map shows Baton Rouge in southeastern Louisiana. Zoom in to explore neighborhoods, attractions, and landmarks.

County and Parish Information

Baton Rouge is located primarily within East Baton Rouge Parish but also extends into West Baton Rouge Parish. Visit the East Baton Rouge Parish website at ebrparish.net or call the Parish Administrative Office at (225) 389-3196 (222 St. Louis St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802).

West Baton Rouge Parish contact information: wbrparish.org or (225) 343-9234 (880 North Alexander Ave, Port Allen, LA 70767).