Old Jefferson is a suburban community with access to Baton Rouge
Old Jefferson is a suburban community with access to big-city entertainment. Many homes in the area have Baton Rouge addresses, but the region is actually served by the city of St. George, which was incorporated in 2024. Still, residents can visit Downtown Baton Rouge or attend a Louisiana State University football game with a short drive. It also has plenty to do within its boundaries, including several renowned restaurants and parks with activities for people of all ages. “I grew up here,” says Lisa Oliver, a Realtor with Compass-Perkins. “Old Jefferson has vastly grown in terms of grocery stores, roadways and housing.”
Ranch-style and New Traditional homes that fit many budgets
The area has New Traditional houses that often run from $230,000 to $450,000, while traditional ranch-style properties commonly sell between $175,000 and $250,000. The Maison Orleans community offers American townhouses, often seen in New Orleans, from $120,000 to $150,000. A handful of Mediterranean-influenced contemporary homes can range from $500,000 to $1 million. Homes frequently have driveways that accommodate several cars and either a garage or a carport. Many neighborhoods either have sidewalks or are wide enough to walk along. Yard features and sizes vary by area, but they can have medium and large trees and smaller bushes.
School choice is a popular option with area families
Most students are zoned for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, which earns a C-plus Niche grade. Woodlawn Elementary School holds an individual B score, while Woodlawn Middle School gets a B-minus. Woodlawn High School offers an Accelerated Academics magnet program that uses Advanced Placement and dual enrollment classes. It has a C-plus score. Select students toward the region's southern end are zoned for Ascension Public Schools, which receives an A grade.
Oliver says private schools are a popular option for Old Jefferson families. The state’s LA GATOR Scholarship Program assigns education scholarship accounts to eligible families. The families then receive funds for private school tuition and other expenses. The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, around 6 miles away, earns an A-plus Niche score.
Flooding is a concern, but drivers get access to Interstate 10
Parts of the community are in the state's special flood zone AE, meaning they are at risk of a potential 100-year flood. Oliver says flooding is a “medium concern” in the area, but most homes do not require flood insurance.
Interstate 10 is the region’s southwestern edge, and U.S. Route 61 cuts through the middle. Backups can occur, Oliver says, but the city is widening Pecue Lane to four lanes and adding on- and off-ramps to I-10. That project is expected to finish in 2026. “They have been working on that for years,” Oliver says. “It should alleviate a whole lot of traffic." Downtown Baton Rouge is close to 15 miles away, as is Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. Woman's Hospital helps deliver more than 8,000 babies each year.
Community parks offer a diverse range of activities like cricket
Woodlawn Acres Park has a cricket pitch, a multi-use field and playground equipment. Baringer Road Park offers basketball and tennis courts, slides, a jungle gym and picnic tables. Nearby, Antioch Boulevard Park is a sports hub with baseball diamonds, a tennis court, a soccer field and indoor and outdoor basketball courts. Bayou Manchac Park has a kayak launch, hiking trails, athletic facilities, and a playground.
Skate Galaxy, a popular place for children’s birthday parties and other events, mixes rollerblading with laser tag, a rock wall and an arcade. Santa Maria Golf Course takes public tee times for its 18-hole course. The course is part of the state’s Audubon Golf Trail and puts an emphasis on its environment, including its 18 lakes. Nearby, Celebrity Theatres shows the latest Hollywood blockbusters and offers $5 tickets on Tuesdays. Healing Place Church has a campus on Louisiana Highway 42.
Upscale dining, Louisiana flavors and Alexander's Highland Market
The area’s restaurants are spread throughout the region. Ruffino’s menu is a mix of steak, seafood and Italian cuisine. Burgersmith uses Louisiana spices to flavor its signature burgers made from Chicago beef. Bullfish Bistro serves Caribbean-inspired entrees. The community has Albertsons, Aldi and Walmart locations. Alexander’s Highland Market sells locally sourced meat and seafood.
The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair arrives each fall
The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair takes place in the community. The annual fall event features live music, dance parties, rides, livestock shows and plenty of food.
