Prairieville earned its name for the vast grassy fields that once occupied much of its area. But today, the area less resembles a prairie and more a booming suburb, with freshly built subdivisions appropriating many of the open meadows. Highly rated schools and a quiet atmosphere have attracted a growing number of residents to the bedroom community of Baton Rouge, as Prairieville has grown to over 35,000 residents.
Prairieville is home to about 33,000 full time residents.
A set of homes sit along a quiet cul-de-sac road in Prairieville, Louisiana.
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New home construction and older homes on large lots in Prairieville
The median home price in Prairieville is $342,500, higher than Baton Rouge’s median of $265,000 but lower than the national figure. As the community grows, new home construction has ramped up. Modern contemporary houses are the most common style here, with many homes built in the past decade. Suburban neighborhoods in Prairieville have sidewalks, streetlights and average-sized but manicured lawns. Meanwhile, older homes often sit back off the road on larger lots and can feature styles from Acadian to ranch to modern farmhouse.
A row of brick homes adorn a quiet road in Prairieville.
Two car garages are a popular sight among homes in the Prairieville area.
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Ascension Parish Public Schools attracts homebuyers
Ascension Parish Public Schools serves Prairieville students. The system receives an A grade from Niche, which rates it as the fourth-best district in Louisiana. Prairieville High School opened in the fall of 2024 to support the area’s growing population. “People often put their kids in the Ascension Parish schools for the sports here,” says Sherri Rachal, a Realtor with Villar and Company Real Estate from the area. Students can attend private schools, with several highly rated options in Baton Rouge. Also in Baton Rouge is Louisiana State University, the largest college in the state, with nearly 40,000 total students.
Dutchtown High School offers classes for grades 9-12 in the greater Prairieville area.
The Dutchtown High School mascot is the Griffins.
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A 15-mile commute into Baton Rouge
Prairieville is mostly car-dependent, and Airline Highway and Interstate 10 each run through the community. While petrochemical plants nearby have traditionally been major employers in the area, many residents commute to Baton Rouge 15 miles north. “Prairieville is probably your peak for commuting into Baton Rouge,” Rachal says. New Orleans is located 65 miles to the southeast. Nearly 30 miles north, Baton Rouge Regional Airport offers flights to nearby hubs, but Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has more nonstop destinations roughly 50 miles southeast.
The Highlands/Perkins area is bordered to the north by I-10.
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport is located in Scotlandville.
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Shopping centers along Airline Highway
Prairieville is a mainly residential community with only a few distinct commercial corridors. Grocery stores and shopping centers line Airline Highway, while Burnside Avenue offers scattered businesses and local restaurants. Oak Grove-Port Vincent Highway also provides restaurants and groceries on the community's east side. “There are a lot of nice restaurants in the area,” Rachal says. “There’s Asian and Mexican. We have a lot of jambalaya shops. Any type of food you want is here.” Residents can head to nearby Gonzales for access to its Tanger Outlets mall.
Residents can find groceries and produce at Walmart in Prairieville.
A colorful ambiance can be found at Rio Verde Mexican Grill.
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Parks managed by Ascension Parish
Ascension Parish Recreation manages several parks and recreation centers throughout Prairieville, including the Oak Grove Community Center and playground. The parish utilizes many of the community’s parks, including Prairieville Park, Paula Park and Southwood Park, for its sports leagues. Each park has playgrounds next to the baseball and softball fields.
Children of all ages can run and play at the playground at Prairieville Park in Prairieville.
Sand volleyball can be played at Oak Grove Community Center and Park in Prairieville.
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Lower crime than state average in Ascension Parish
Crime statistics for Prairieville were not readily available. The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has jurisdiction, and violent and property crime rates throughout the parish have been lower than the state average and in line with the national average. According to FBI data, trends for both have been stable over the past five years.
Elevated air pollution levels between Baton Rouge and New Orleans
The 85-mile stretch between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is nicknamed “Cancer Alley.” This area accounts for 25 percent of the total petrochemical production in the US. According to research from the Environmental Protection Agency, residents' lifetime cancer risk here is elevated compared to the national average. While air pollution levels have dropped from their peak in the 1980s, the EPA still reports levels significantly higher than recommended.
Prairieville’s climate includes hot and humid summers and mild winters. Hurricanes and tropical storms can bring flooding and high winds.
Raina DiGiulio Johnson is a licensed Louisiana TOP PRODUCING REALTOR, Ranked in the TOP 1% of Greater Baton Rouge Area sales for 2024, Broker/Owner with 25 years experience, an Accredited Buyer's Representative, a Certified Residential Specialist, and an expert in the greater Baton Rouge area, including surrounding areas such as Prairieville, Gonzales, Denham Springs, St. Francisville, New Roads, Zachary, Brusly, Pt, Allen, and Walker, to name a few. Raina is a highly experienced and skilled Realtor/Broker, with DiGiulio Properties, LLC in Baton Rouge, LA since 1999, and a full-time real estate agent. Her focus is Baton Rouge and the nearby areas, providing home-buyers and sellers with professional, responsive and attentive real estate services. Work with an agent who works diligently to find you the best home, or sell your home for the most favorable terms for you. In this market, it is vital to hire an agent and team of marketing experts who know how to effectively market your home so it sells. Call Raina Johnson to set up your consultation!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
