The seat of St. Tammany Parish, Covington is a long-established community north of Lake Pontchartrain. Along with neighboring Mandeville, Madisonville and Abita Springs, it’s part of what locals call the Northshore, the collection of cities and towns north of New Orleans, connected to the Big Easy by the lengthy, linear Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Aesthetically, the old world is alive and well in downtown Covington, where numerous landmarks speak to the early 1800s history of southern Louisiana. Even the public parking lots in downtown are historic, predating the invention of the automobile, back when the spaces were used as ox lots for farmers who came to town to sell their goods. But the city of 11,000 has also adapted to the modern world. Old storefronts now house galleries, museums and coffee shops, while former bastions of Black nightlife have transitioned into quieter residential neighborhoods. Beyond history, residents take pride in their city’s growing economic opportunities and lively event calendar. "I learned a long time ago that the more residents know about the history of their community, the more connected they feel to the community, the more involved they want to be in the community," says Mayor Mark Johnson.
Explore colorful art at Marianne Angeli Rodriguez Gallery in Covington.
Relax by the water and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere at Sunset Point Park.
Visit Covington’s historic ox lots, a nod to its agricultural past.
Historic downtown Covington offers a charming street scene to explore.
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Southern Louisiana architecture and new affordable housing
The leafy streets of Covington spread across most of the area between the Tchefuncte River and Bogue Falaya, including a small downtown surrounded by a grid of suburban neighborhoods that taper off into rural areas. Because it's impossible to reach the city without crossing a bridge, locals often cheekily refer to Covington as an island. "In the 1800s, we were the northernmost port on Lake Pontchartrain," Mayor Johnson says. "People would come up the river to the Columbia Street Landing, where today we have concerts on the third Friday of each month. 1898 is when the train came down Gibson Street, and the center of economy sort of drifted from the port to the center of town, where the train depot was." The city's architectural heritage is on full display in town center, providing an array of designs popular across southern Louisiana, including two-story gallery homes, shotgun doubles, and Acadian, Creole and Craftsman cottages. Downriver, the city's premier neighborhoods, Old Covington and Old Landing, include larger homes in a variety of regional designs, especially French-inspired Colonial Revivals. New construction has also come into these areas, though not as vigorously as in some of the city's less affluent neighborhoods, namely the West 30s. "As a city and as a community, we've come together and taken some strong actions and have noticeably improved the quality of life of those residents," Mayor Johnson says. "We actually have a nonprofit that has built affordable housing in the neighborhood and then works with residents financially." Covington remains a buyer's market. The median price of a single-family home is around $340,000, generally in line with nearby markets like Metairie or New Orleans. But prices vary dramatically: Cottages in the West 30s needing repairs sell for around $80,000, while new construction in Old Covington can sell for over $1.2 million.
Stroll Covington’s tree-lined streets for scenic southern beauty.
A shotgun double in Covington’s West 30s preserves classic architecture.
Covington’s Old Covington features cozy Acadian-style cottages.
Affordable housing developments enhance life in Covington’s West 30s.
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Historic downtown dining and big-box stores at Claiborne Hill Shopping Center
The Covington Historic District, known by locals as Saint John, is the primary place for entertainment. A downtown revitalization project has improved the city's central area with simple but effective interventions, like streetlights and improved sanitation, plus a windfall of new businesses, including numerous new restaurants. Several old favorites have stuck around, too. Located in the oldest structure in Covington, The Chimes is a local favorite for Louisiana cooking, right on the banks of the Bogue Falaya. For errands, residents often cross Bogue Falaya to the Claiborne Hill shopping center on Tammany Parkway, where numerous big-box stores can be found.
Downtown Covington’s restaurant row offers a variety of dining options.
Claiborne Hill Shopping Center provides convenient shopping in Covington.
Enjoy Louisiana cuisine at The Chimes, a Covington favorite by the river.
The Bogue Falaya Bridge near The Chimes connects scenic Covington.
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The Tammany Trace and city parks on the National Register of Historic Places
Covington marks the beginning of the Tammany Trace Trail, a 31-mile hike and bike trail that extends east all the way to Slidell, passing through Abita Springs, Mandeville and Lacombe and offering connections with parks across the parish, like Fontainebleau State Park. Several public boat launches throughout Covington allow residents to float south along the Tchefuncte River to other parks in St. Tammany Parish, like Fairview-Riverside State Park. At the south end of New Hampshire Street, historic gates open up to Bogue Falaya Wayside Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Explore the trails and relax in the park at Tammany Trace Trailhead.
Relax by the river at Bogue Falaya Park’s peaceful pavilion.
Watch the sun dip below the horizon from the pier at Fontainebleau Park.
Families enjoy relaxing walks at Riverside Park North.
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Free outdoor concerts and zumba with the mayor
Although New Orleans, roughly 40 miles south, is the beating heart of arts and culture in Southern Louisiana, Covington pulls its weight with a number of art galleries and a local history museum downtown, which occupies an old-timey hardware store. There was a time when Covington neighborhoods, namely the West 30s, housed a number of Black-owned music halls and social clubs where famous New Orleans musicians like Fats Domino and Irma Thomas played. Today, a small, shady plaza at the Tammany Trace trailhead offers free outdoor concerts every Thursday in October and April. "It's surrounded by restaurants and a beer garden. It's just a wonderful place to host those events," Mayor Johnson says. "We have a couple of concerts and festivals in Bogue Falaya Wayside Park. But the park is one way in, one way out, and so all the parking comes into a residential neighborhood. So, the Trailhead is actually better." Covington also hosts the Three Rivers Art Festival, one of the largest juried art festivals in the Southeast. In a nod to the area’s more conservative side, the trailhead is also home to the world's largest statue of Ronald Reagan. As for today’s leader, Mayor Johnson can be spotted at least once a month dressed like Elvis Presley, driving a golf cart through town on his way to lead a public Zumba class.
Visitors enjoy the Ronald Reagan statue at Tammany Trace Trailhead.
Mayor Johnson leads a lively Zumba class in downtown Covington.
Saladino Gallery adds artistic flair to Covington’s downtown.
Celebrate art and culture at Covington’s Three Rivers Art Festival.
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Commutes across the Pontchartrain Causeway
Following Katrina, the petroleum refining company Chevron moved its Gulf of Mexico headquarters from New Orleans to Covington, which brought hundreds of jobs to the city. Since then, additional major employers have popped up in Covington, including the Zen-Noh Grain Corporation and telecom company Globalstar. The St. Tammany Parish Hospital, the leading healthcare facility in the area, is also a major employer for the city. Covington is also home to Tulane University's National Primate Research Center, a leading infectious disease research facility that offers training and educational opportunities for undergrad and post-grad students, as well as professional opportunities for visiting researchers. Covington is one small part in a commute-heavy region. Every morning and evening, thousands of drivers cross the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, a 23-mile-long straight shot to New Orleans. Some are traveling to Covington while others are traveling from it. That makes Covington highly subject to different traffic flows throughout the day, with rush hour slowdowns constant on major roads and highways. To circumvent the gridlock, the city adopted some alternative road designs. "We have thousands of people that come into the city each day, and then thousands who leave each afternoon. So, this is where the traffic challenge comes from," Mayor Johnson says. "We've embraced roundabouts, and we have a couple more under design that will help channel the traffic on some of the main arteries and make it easier to get in and out of town." The city does not offer public transportation, aside from on-demand bus service through STAR Transit, a regional authority. As an alternative, many residents make trips around town using golf carts.
Visitors love watching the lake shimmer at Sunset Point Park.
Zen-Noh Grain is a key part of Covington’s thriving economy.
Covington’s Chevron office complex drives local economic growth.
Globalstar contributes innovation and jobs to Covington’s community.
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A top-10 school district statewide
Covington is part of the St. Tammany Parish Public School District, which receives a Niche rating of A-minus while being ranked the 10th-best district in Louisiana. Nearly 40,000 students are spread across 55 schools in a school system that also earns distinction for its athletics, ranked the 6th-best in Louisiana. The district consistently earns the 2nd-highest ACT scores of any district in the state, and many older students also take advantage of the district's dual-enrollment program with Northshore Technical Community College, the largest of any such program in Louisiana.
Scenic riverfront views define afternoons at Bogue Falaya Wayside Park.
Covington’s water tower stands tall as a local landmark.
Saint Paul’s School encourages students to grow academically and personally every day.
Teachers at Covington High School motivate students to reach their full potential.
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Things to consider
Southern Louisiana is among the most flood-prone regions in the U.S., and Covington is no exception. The rivers that skirt past Covington create expansive flood zones that capture a decent share of the city's residential areas. Many homeowners are thus required to purchase a flood insurance policy. "We're about eight miles inland, so we're really not subject to storm surges," Mayor Johnson says. "We are subject to heavy rains upstream from us. A big, big rain up in the Folsom area means all of that watershed eventually comes right through Covington." Mitigation primarily takes the form of upstream retention ponds and the clearing of debris from tributaries every two years. The city also implemented a low-impact development plan to improve drainage within Covington, which includes green infrastructure solutions to help with drainage, including bioswales and permeable paving materials. The northern parts of Covington also tend to have higher crime rates than the southern parts. For example, the West 30s has a CAP Index score of 6, which is 2 points higher than the national average, while Covington's southernmost neighborhood, Old Landing, has a CAP Index score of 2. But recent interventions have helped curtail violent crime across the city, including in the West 30s and downtown, which also has an above average CAP Index score. "We introduced a very proactive police department," Mayor Johnson says.
Families gather at Tammany Trace Trailhead for fun and live music.
Live music at the Tammany Trace Trail adds rhythm to Covington life.
An old downtown building in Covington highlights its rich history.
Enjoy seafood favorites at Half Shell Oyster House in Covington.
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Written By
Tom Jakob
Photography Contributed By
Michael Forbes
Video By
Alex Finneran
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Covington, LA sell after 73 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Covington, LA over the last 12 months is $329,845, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Covington Address....Mandeville Schools! Just 5 minutes to the Causeway and just around the corner from Lakeview Hospital, discover this gem of a ONE story on 1.5 acres with luscious land and park like surroundings and located between Mandeville and Covington. Roof replaced in 2024, termite contract in place, indoor storage area, upgraded sewerage treatment system, and attention to maintenance
Prime location and beautiful new construction--this one truly has it all! Situated in the heart of New Covington just off S. Tyler, you're only minutes from all that Downtown Covington has to offer including local fine dining, boutique shopping, beautiful parks, parade routes, the library, St. Tammany Hospital, and more. This 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers an upscale feel with thoughtful details
69.31 (+/-) ACRES! This isn't just land it is a sprawling private estate that offers the perfect balance of neighborhood security and rural freedom; currently zoned L1 residential in preferred zone C. House is move in ready with a whole home generator and amazing views.Feels worlds away but is minutes from the heart of Covington. See surveys for lot size. Own Part or all! Located near Lake
Welcome to this charming, built home in the desirable Pruden Creek subdivision in St. Tammany . Built in 2017, this well-maintained one-story home offers 1,564 sq. ft. of living space (total 2,074 sq. ft.) featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. The home is in excellent condition, with fresh finishes and a welcoming, open layout. Enjoy peaceful evenings in this beautifully landscaped court setting.
Beautiful new construction 4-bedroom, 2-bath home in Covington's Robindale subdivision featuring over 1,900 sq ft of living space. Step inside to an open floorplan with soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, and a cozy gas fireplace. The chef's kitchen offers quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, soft-close cabinetry, and a large island--perfect for gathering and entertaining. The
Set on 3.56 private acres with 268 feet of deep, navigable frontage on the Tchefuncte River, this gated, exceptional, waterfront estate blends architectural presence, refined craftsmanship, and modern infrastructure. A custom iron entry opens to a soaring foyer with a sweeping grand staircase, hand-forged wrought-iron railing, and a dramatic hand-blown glass chandelier with electronic lift.
Covington Address....Mandeville Schools! Just 5 minutes to the Causeway and just around the corner from Lakeview Hospital, discover this gem of a ONE story on 1.5 acres with luscious land and park like surroundings and located between Mandeville and Covington. Roof replaced in 2024, termite contract in place, indoor storage area, upgraded sewerage treatment system, and attention to maintenance
This raised Old New Orleans-style home blends timeless Southern charm with modern comfort. The residence features four bedrooms and three full baths, upscale finishes, and a thoughtfully designed layout ideal for today's lifestyle. Location truly sets this home apart, offering exceptional accessibility in the heart of Covington. Discover one of downtown Covington's most desirable communities,
Lovely, updated home in the heart Covington on a private 1-acre, shaded lot. This waterfront property offers the perfect blend of luxury, functionality, and tranquility. Step inside to hardwood floors, granite countertops, high-end finishes, and an open-concept design for both everyday living and entertaining. The chef’s kitchen features a newer dishwasher and stove, abundant workspace, and
Beautifully maintained, energy-efficient home just 5 minutes from downtown Covington! This split-floorplan features wood floors, granite countertops, a dedicated computer room, and a renovated/custom primary bath. Enjoy gas appliances, a gas fireplace, and a tankless water heater for added efficiency and comfort. The covered cabana creates the perfect backyard space for entertaining or relaxing.
GATED COMMUNITY w/ POOL IN COVINGTON - EMERALD FOREST - Move-In Ready 2 Bed 2 Bath Condo Now Available! Spacious second-story corner condo offers a split floorplan with an open concept living room and kitchen. High ceiling in living room! Generous windows provide plenty of natural light, and the balcony off the living room is the perfect place to enjoy the park-like greenspace view. Both primary
Beautifully remodeled and move-in ready, this 4-bedroom, 2-bath home offers the perfect blend of modern updates and comfortable living -- all with **no HOA and no flood insurance required** Completely renovated in 2024, the home features a bright, open floor plan with seamless flow between the living, dining, and kitchen areas, creating an ideal space for both everyday living and entertaining.
Prime location and beautiful new construction--this one truly has it all! Situated in the heart of New Covington just off S. Tyler, you're only minutes from all that Downtown Covington has to offer including local fine dining, boutique shopping, beautiful parks, parade routes, the library, St. Tammany Hospital, and more. This 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers an upscale feel with thoughtful details
ENJOY COVINGTON COUNTRY LIVING on a generous 1.03-acre lot in Flood Zone C! This 4 bed, 2 bath, 2,503 SF home offers valuable updates including a new roof (2025), newer HVAC, and hot water heater (2024)--providing peace of mind from the start. The home features spacious living, kitchen, and breakfast areas, along with a separate dining room that easily serves as a flex space for a home office,
Offering upscale living in a super convenient location, this beautifully maintained home in Northpark Estates truly has room for everyone. Set on a large lot overlooking a peaceful pond, the tranquil views are easily seen through the soaring ceilings and expansive windows that fill the home with natural light.The open kitchen, keeping room, and breakfast area create an ideal space for both
Beautiful property that offers maximized space on a cul de sac. This home has been completely renovated from top to bottom with new floors, roof, kitchen and windows for you to enjoy and keep those energy costs low. As you walk in, you have a formal living and dining room with plenty of room for your needs. The kitchen is oversized with granite countertops, ample cabinet and pantry space and
Fully furnished 1 bedroom, 1 bath residence available for lease. This move-in-ready home includes a refrigerator, washer, and dryer, along with thoughtfully selected bedroom, a converted bedroom to glorious oversized closet, living room, and dining room furniture. A $200 utility deposit at move-in for utilities. Lawn care, trash service, and water are included in the rental amount. Comfortable
Experience the allure of this remarkable residence crafted by AMG. Only three years young in impeccable condition offering 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. This home showcases coffered ceilings, chic lighting fixtures, stainless steel appliances, a large walk-in pantry, a fireplace and granite countertops throughout. The engineered wood floors & no carpet add to the ease of maintenance. Each bedroom
Newer constructed 3bd/2bth rental just 5 mins to downtown Covington and 5 min to the heart of Abita Springs. Open floor plan living with large living room, spacious dining area, kitchen with granite counters and breakfast bar. Three spacious bedrooms with large closets and blinds throughout. Stylish finished stained concert floors make clearing up a breeze. This duplex has two dedicated parking
Welcome to your ideal living space! This charming home offers comfort, convenience, and style in a fantastic community. Situated in a prime area with easy access to amenities, shopping centers, and top-rated schools, this home offers the ideal blend of convenience and tranquility. The spacious open floor plan creates a seamless flow between living spaces, perfect for entertaining guests or simply
Covington’s newest and most modern, non-smoking apartment community! Our luxurious community offers unique, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, many with direct-access one- and two-car garages! Living at The Collins offers a unique, neighborhood-like design spread over 22 acres offering easy access to I-12 & Hwy 190. Shopping, dining and businesses are literally moments away. At The Collins, our
Brand new luxury apartments in Covington, Louisiana - just 10 minutes from the Causeway! Elan at Terra Bella is now pre-leasing luxury studio, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments for rent soon. Elan’s design includes great gathering places for hosting activities for residents and guests. The immediate and convenient access to entertainment, retail outlets, and restaurants will give residents a highly
Stay a Week. Stay a Month. Stay a Year!Welcome to Pinnacle Residences!Discover your perfect home at Pinnacle Residences, a premier extended stay residence located in the heart of Covington. Offering 70 well-appointed efficiency residences, we provide the ideal living experience for those seeking a convenient and comfortable lifestyle. Explore our modern amenities, thoughtful floor plans,
Easily accessible, yet nestled in Covington's wooded greenery, The Green at Northpark is your centrally located sanctuary, offering a variety of floor plans to fit your lifestyle. As easy to come home to as it is to start your day, our beautiful community offers a complete living experience, equally familiar to an urban, active, social lifestyle, quietly nestled in peaceful privacy.
Affordable Housing at St. John Village, our new 2 and 3 bedroom single family homes for lease will inspire that sensation of home. We intend to pamper our residents with apartment amenities designed for their comfort. You'll love the wood-like vinyl plank flooring and ceiling fans in the bedrooms and living room. Beautiful all wood cabinetry and energy star kitchen appliances in each home are
The good life has arrived at The Fairlane – apartment living with all of the bells and whistles at a value never before attainable on the North Shore. Spread out and enjoy resort-style living with two sparkling pools, communal BBQs, TVs, and an amazing fitness center. Located in the serene calm of suburban Covington, The Fairlane has all that you’d want from a quiet community that’s just 45
Live lavishly at the Retreat at River Chase in Covington, LA. Where upscale design meets copious convenience, that's where you'll find our gorgeous studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments complete with state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances, built-in wine racks, and washers and dryers. As an exclusive community perk, you'll also enjoy access to garage parking, our fitness center, as
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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