Jeanerette is known as Sugar City for its agricultural heritage
Known as Sugar City, Jeanerette is located along Bayou Teche in the heart of Louisiana’s farming industry. Sugar farms are still a major contributor to the area’s economy, surrounding the small downtown area. Residents are drawn by the industry and lower prices, compared to larger cities like New Iberia and Lafayette . “In the Jeanerette area, they’re looking for price. Price is what is making a difference for people to head that way,” says Lonnie Trimble, a Realtor with eXp Realty who has worked in the Acadiana area for 13 years.
Ranch-style homes are the most common throughout the community
The city is mainly laid out along the south bank of Bayou Teche, with the patchwork grid only reaching a few blocks away from the water. Sidewalks line the narrow streets, with oak trees and power lines overhead. Cottages sell for $50,000 to $90,000, while ranch-style homes are most common and go between $70,000 and $170,000. Larger Acadian-style houses sell for $130,000 to $250,000. The median price is lower than in communities closer to Lafayette, like New Iberia or Youngsville.
Parts of Jeanerette are at risk of flooding, especially along Bayou Teche. Homeowners in certain areas may be required to have flood insurance.
Education at Iberia Parish schools within Jeanerette
Jeanerette is zoned to the Iberia Parish School District, which receives a B-minus overall grade from Niche. Students can attend St. Charles Street Elementary for kindergarten through sixth grade. The school gets a B-minus rating. Jeanerette Senior High serves seventh through 12th grades and receives a C. Students can follow career-focused programs through the statewide Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, which provides scholarships for universities and technical colleges in Louisiana.
Recreation in town and on the water at Vermilion Bay
Jeanerette City Park is set back off Main Street and is the community’s recreation hub. The park has baseball and soccer fields, plus a picnic pavilion. Across the street, residents can access Bayou Teche via a boat and kayak launch. Burleigh Park offers new tennis, pickleball and basketball courts on the community's west side. The King Joseph Recreational Center also provides a place for kids to play in town, with a playground, basketball court and baseball field. Otherwise, residents head elsewhere for outdoor recreation. Lake Fausse Pointe State Park is 25 miles away and provides access to its namesake body of water. Cypremort Point State Park offers boat access and a beach on Vermilion Bay, 25 miles in the opposite direction. Trimble mentions the park as a popular spot for fishing and crabbing.
Local businesses along Main Street and more in New Iberia
Businesses are scattered along Main Street through Jeanerette. Dollar General and Family Dollar sell budget-friendly goods. Fast-food spots include Sonic and Subway, while Cooper Street Coffee serves breakfast dishes and lattes. D & B Sports Bar is a neighborhood watering hole. More shopping and dining options are available in New Iberia, including a grocery store at Walmart Neighborhood Market. Jeanerette’s only supermarket was damaged in a fire in 2022; a new store is being built at the same site and is slated to open in 2025.
Events include the International French Bread Festival
The International French Bread Festival is held annually at the Jeanerette Main Street Pavilion. Residents celebrate the staple of Louisiana cuisine with music, a car show and a French bread cookoff. Otherwise, the community comes together for holidays, including the Christmas on the Main event and toy drive each December.
Highway 90 heads 35 miles to Lafayette
While Main Street cuts through town, U.S. Highway 90 is the primary route through the region, passing along Jeanerette’s southern edge. The highway heads 35 miles to Lafayette, the largest city in Acadiana. Though many residents work in the agriculture or manufacturing industries in Jeanerette, others commute elsewhere. “A lot are working in the Lafayette area or they’re working offshore,” Trimble says. The nearest commercial flights are at Lafayette Regional Airport. The Iberia Medical Center, 10 miles away in New Iberia, has the closest emergency room.
