SaintJames
6.7
High score (8-10)
Saint James Parish's River Road corridor has some of the most famous plantation houses in Louisiana — Evergreen, Poche, St. Joseph — that draw heritage tourism. The parish has significant petrochemical employment that pays well. Proximity to New Orleans (45 miles) and Baton Rouge (30 miles) means access to real cities without paying those prices. The river levee culture here has a specific Cajun and Creole character.
Mid score (6-8) · Your profile
Saint James Parish made national news when the Formosa Plastics $9.4 billion petrochemical complex proposal was blocked after years of community organizing — a fight that exposed the tensions between industrial employment and environmental concerns that run through all the Cancer Alley parishes. The social scene is local-working-class-Catholic, tight, and private. The plantation tourism brings visitors but not a social ecosystem for residents.
Lower score (below 6)
Saint James Parish is one of the most industrialized stretches of River Road — chemical plants and the river traffic infrastructure dominate the landscape between the historic plantation houses. The community is working-class and local-network-centric in a way that's reinforced by the geography (the parish is essentially one road between the river and the swamp). An outsider here has no social entry point and the Formosa fight has created a heightened political awareness around outside interests coming in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the median income in SaintJames, Louisiana?
$63k median
What's the typical marriage age for women in SaintJames, Louisiana?
Women marry at 28
How common is a college degree in SaintJames, Louisiana?
29% men have degree
What's the average male height in SaintJames, Louisiana?
178 cm local avg
What's the average BMI for women in SaintJames, Louisiana?
Local women avg 29.6