Jackson is a rural town north of Baton Rouge that relishes relaxation
Jackson takes it easy. The town of more than 3,500 people has a small number of shops and restaurants, and there are green spaces within a few miles. To many residents, the essentials are all they need, because the town is a place to escape from the rest of the world. “There’s no stress here, because there’s no reason to be stressed out,” says Linda Karam, the broker/owner at Karam and Company and a Jackson resident. “People do a lot of front-porch rocking and afternoon coffees.” Karam says the town’s rural atmosphere encourages residents coming from bigger cities to slow down and enjoy the area’s natural amenities, like its rolling hills and tall trees. It is also far from the many chemical plants that line communities south of Baton Rouge, and Karam says the air feels cleaner.
Cottages and ranch-styles with grassy yards for below-median prices
Traditional houses, cottages and New Traditional ranch-style homes are among the options spread throughout town, and many were built between 1960 and 1980. The median sale price is around $140,000, well below the U.S. median. Large parcels of land are also available, often between $15,000 and $45,000 per acre. Residential asphalt streets are narrow and usually don’t have lane lines or sidewalks, though main thoroughfares like Charter Street have both. Live oaks and other tall trees surround the roads. The area’s grassy front yards can also feature trees and smaller plants.
Grab Cajun and Mexican food or a freshly baked pizza
The city’s restaurants are mostly found along Louisiana Highway 10. Iron Horse Cafe and Snug Pub serves Cajun-style entrees alongside traditional fare. Jalapeños Mexican Restaurant offers authentic food in a casual, wood-heavy space. Dave’s Pizza has baked fresh pies for the community since 1985. The town has Star AG Supermarket and Dollar General locations. Feliciana Folks Country Store sells vintage art pieces and home decor.
East Feliciana Public Schools and a school choice scholarship program
Students are zoned for East Feliciana Public Schools. Those in sixth grade or younger can attend Jackson Elementary School, which holds a C-plus Niche score. East Feliciana Middle School, for grades 7-8, earns a C rating. East Feliciana High School offers the Early College Academy, which allows students to take Baton Rouge Community College classes alongside their regular classwork. It receives a C-plus grade.
The state’s LA GATOR Scholarship Program awards education scholarship accounts to approved families, who receive funds for private school tuition and other expenses. Silliman Institute, a private prekindergarten through 12th-grade academy around 15 miles east in Clinton, gets a B-plus score.
Nearby nature preserves and historic sites, plus a model train museum
The town has no parks within its borders, but several green spaces are within a few miles. Mary Ann Brown Nature Preserve sits within pine and hardwood forests and has a 2-mile walking trail and a designated fire ring for campfires. Fishing is allowed, but catches longer than 6 inches must be released. Farther southwest is the Audubon State Historic Site, where John James Audubon once stayed and sketched some of his famed bird illustrations. The site offers tours of the Oakley House, where Audubon slept, and occasionally hosts reenactments of a Civil War battle on the grounds. Around 10 miles east is Magnolia Wilds, which combines a zoo with an adventure park. Visitors can see zebras, otters and other animals from the ground or zipline through the air.
The Centenary State Historic Site showcases the 1800s college experience. It hosts community events like period-appropriate dances and is home to a Civil War cemetery. The Old Hickory Train Museum has several model train tracks and railroad photography on display. Several churches, including Jackson United Methodist Church, sit near the town center.
The community celebrates Halloween, Christmas and cars in style
The city’s Spooktacular event, held around Halloween, sees residents toss candy to costumed trick-or-treaters. The White Lights Christmas Event is designed around holiday shopping, bringing in food and retail vendors from across the region. The Jackson, Louisiana, Car Show, a recent addition to the city’s event slate, mixes live music and classic automobiles.
A lower flood risk than some regional areas, while a hospital is close
Karam says the town gets less flooding than other towns closer to Baton Rouge because of its higher elevation and location away from the coast. Even when hurricanes come through the region, Karam says, the effects are mostly wind-related, not water-related. “I have never had to sell flood insurance with a house,” Karam says.
Louisiana Highway 10, locally called Charter Street, cuts through the middle of town. “When churches let out, [traffic] can get five cars deep,” Karam says. Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport is close to 30 miles south, and Downtown Baton Rouge is around a 35-mile drive. West Feliciana Hospital, with a 24-hour emergency room, is just over 10 miles southwest in Saint Francisville.
