Vinton's rural character and potential new employer
The town of Vinton is located in a rural pocket of Louisiana between Lake Charles and the Texas border. “It’s very country over there,” says Ambra Reinking, a Realtor with Compass and a longtime resident of the region. But the character of the area may soon change: In 2024, plans were announced for a new carbon-capture facility in the area. Slated for completion in 2027, the multiyear project could result in hundreds of new jobs. “On the real estate side of things, we expect to see a lot more people moving that way when that construction starts up, because Vinton’s price point is low.”
Relatively affordable homes, including acreage on the town's outskirts
The median home sales price in Vinton is $130,000, lower than nearby communities like Carlyss or Starks . Homes are located along narrow, gridded streets in town, generally with an unpaved alley behind them. Some properties have sheds or garages, but most cars park in driveways under carports. Ranch-style houses, small cottages and manufactured homes are most common, with sale prices ranging from $70,000 to $220,000 based on renovations. Outside the town core, homes often sit on acreage; some even have room for horses. These larger properties sell for $180,000 to $390,000. According to FEMA, parts of the community are in high-risk flood zones. Homeowners in these areas may be required to maintain flood insurance.
Students can attend Calcasieu Parish schools
The Calcasieu Parish School District receives an overall B-plus grade from Niche. Students can attend Vinton Elementary, Vinton Middle and Vinton High, each of which receives a B-minus rating. Vinton High offers clubs such as Future Business Leaders of America and Future Farmers of America.
Recreation in town and at the nearby Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
The Ward 7 Community Center and Playground is administered by Calcasieu Parish, offering recreation options to Vinton. The center has courts for basketball, tennis and pickleball, as well as a playground and a pool. On the other side of town, the Ted Lyons Ball Field is home to youth baseball and softball. Residents enjoy outdoor activities including hunting, fishing and hiking at spots like Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, roughly 30 miles south.
Commercial corridors include Horridge Street and Highway 90
Horridge Street is Vinton’s main commercial drag, and though some of the storefronts are now empty, the street still offers a pharmacy, a boutique market and the local post office. More businesses sit around the highways, including the Market Basket grocery and a Family Dollar just off Highway 90. Fast-food options are scattered off the exits from Interstate 10. Other shopping options are located across the Texas border in Orange , 10 miles away.
Horse racing and Halloween haunted houses on Horridge
The Delta Downs Racetrack, Hotel and Casino is just outside Vinton. Visitors head to the casino for horse racing, as well as concerts at the Delta Event Center. Meanwhile, residents enjoy community events in town, such as the Haunted Halloween on Horridge, which features haunted houses in downtown Vinton. The town also hosts the Heritage Festival each fall, including food vendors and live entertainment around city hall.
Commutes toward Lake Charles or across the border into Texas
Vinton is roughly 9 miles from the Texas border via Interstate 10, which runs along the community’s southern border. “There are actually several people I know in Vinton that actually work in Texas, and vice versa,” Reinking says. The highway also heads 25 miles east to Lake Charles. Most residents drive to their destinations, though Calcasieu Parish offers an on-demand transit system especially for seniors. The nearest emergency room is at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, 13 miles east. Lake Charles Regional Airport has flights to Dallas and Houston .
New carbon-capture plant proposed for Vinton
In 2024, the climate technology company Climeworks announced a proposal to build a $50 million direct air capture plant in Vinton. The facility would pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to help mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases. If approved, the project is scheduled to begin construction in 2026 and open in 2027. However, it faces some local opposition due to environmental concerns and increased traffic. Louisiana Economic Development projects that the facility would result in over 450 new jobs in the area, plus 800 construction jobs.
