South Baton Rouge & Scotlandville
Population Size and Median Age
While South Baton Rouge and Scotlandville are communities of different sizes, the communities have similar median ages. South Baton Rouge has 4,390 residents with a median age of 36.2 years. Scotlandville has 19,244 residents with a median age of 36.9 years. The communities are slightly older than East Baton Rouge Parish, which has a median age of 34.6.
Racial and Ethnic Composition
Black individuals make up the majority of the populations of South Baton Rouge (75.01%) and Scotlandville (88.48%). A significantly greater percentage of individuals in South Baton Rouge and Scotlandville is Black compared to East Baton Rouge Parish, whose population is 45.25% Black.
White individuals are the second largest racial/ethnic population in South Baton Rouge (19.41%) and Scotlandville (7.89%).
About 98% of the populations of South Baton Rouge and Scotlandville are also non-Hispanic/Latino.
Median Household Income
The median household income in East Baton Rouge Parish is $59,443, which is greater than the median household incomes of South Baton Rouge and Scotlandville.
The median household income in South Baton Rouge is $29,177.
The median household income in Scotlandville is $33,896. The households with the lowest median incomes are in the census tract west of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. The households with the highest median incomes are south of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.
Median household income is a better indicator of overall income levels in communities than average household income because it moderates the effect of households with extremely high income levels in data calculations. Therefore, median household income is used instead of average household income.
Income and Poverty
Percent of Households Below the Federal Poverty Line
The federal poverty line is the specific income level below which individuals or families are considered to be living in poverty, meaning they do not have enough income to meet their basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. The federal poverty line changes depending on the size of the household.
For individuals, the federal poverty line is $15,060.
For families of 2, the federal poverty line is $20,440.
For families of 3, the federal poverty line is $25,280.
For families of 4, the federal poverty line is $31,200.
In South Baton Rouge, 34.8% of households live below the federal poverty line.
In Scotlandville, 40.3% of households live below the federal poverty line. Poverty rates are highest in the census tract west of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, which also has the lowest household median income. Poverty rates are also highest in the census tract in the northwestern corner of the Scotlandville focus area.
In both communities, that is more than 1 in 3 households living in poverty. This is higher than East Baton Rouge Parish, where 20.2% of households are below the federal poverty line. Poverty rates are about twice as high in Scotlandville than poverty rates in the parish.
The majority of homes in South Baton Rouge and Scotlandville are occupied by renters or are owned with a mortgage or loan. In South Baton Rouge, 70.09% of homes are occupied by renters and only 15.88% of homes are owned free and clear (without a mortgage or loan). In Scotlandville, 46.11% of homes are occupied by renters and only 26.23% of homes are owned free and clear. The highest percentage of renters are in Downtown East, or the northern part of the South Baton Rouge Focus Area. The highest percentage of homes owned with a mortgage or loan are in the northern part of the Scotlandville Focus Area.
South Baton Rouge has a homeownership rate of 29.91%, and Scotlandville has a homeownership rate of 53.89%. South Baton Rouge’s homeownership rate is significantly lower than the 57.8% homeownership rate of East Baton Rouge Parish.
Homeownership is a key way for individuals and families to build wealth over time. Homes that are owned free and clear allow owners to have more financial security and a greater share of equity, which can be crucial for weathering economic downturns or financial crises. In contrast, homes owned with mortgages or loans involve debt and financial obligations that can place homeowners in precarious situations. Renters do not build equity, and their financial stability is tied to the landlord's decisions and the cost of rent.
Housing
Social Services
Languages
English is the most spoken language in South Baton Rouge (95.4%) and Scotlandville (98.6%), Spanish is the second most spoken language with 2.3% of South Baton Rouge residents and 0.8% of Scotlandville residents being Spanish speakers.
*The dataset of languages spoken at home from the 2022 American Community Survey uses broad categories of “Asian and Pacific Island Languages” and “Other Indo-European Languages.” There are thousands of languages within these categories and the actual languages spoken in the areas of study are not specified.
Educational Attainment
The populations of South Baton Rouge and Scotlandville have similar rates of educational attainment, but these rates are lower than East Baton Rouge Parish as a whole. 90.6% of the population 25 years and older in East Baton Rouge Parish graduate high school, while 80.4% and 80.6% of South Baton Rouge and Scotlandville graduate high school, respectively. Significantly fewer individuals in South Baton Rouge (23.6%) and Scotlandville (15.5%) attain a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to individuals in East Baton Rouge Parish, where 37.6% of individuals attain a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Educational attainment directly impacts an individual’s income potential, career opportunities, and overall economic stability. Higher educational attainment is linked to better health outcomes and increased civic engagement.
The distribution of social services directly impacts the well-being and opportunities of individuals and communities. Libraries serve as community hubs for learning, literacy, and access to resources like Wi-Fi and computers for those who do not have access to them at their home. Accessible schools ensure equitable educational opportunities. Nearby grocery stores provide essential nutrition and healthy food options, while those living in areas that lack grocery stores (known as food deserts) may primarily rely on fast food due to convenience. Those without reliable transportation are especially likely to resort to fast food when they cannot get to a grocery store. This is tied to health issues. Proximity to hospitals and health centers is vital for timely medical care, promoting overall public health. A fair distribution of these services fosters a more inclusive, healthy, and thriving community.
Environment
Environmental and social outcomes are deeply intertwined. Socioeconomically disadvantaged communities often bear the brunt of environmental challenges, such as extreme heat, flood risks, and industrial pollution, which can worsen living conditions. These communities are typically located in areas with limited green spaces and lower elevation, increasing their vulnerability to extreme heat and flooding. Additionally, they often lack the financial resources to evacuate during disasters or rebuild afterward, compounding long-term impacts. The strain on health from pollution and environmental hazards further burdens these communities, as they struggle to access necessary healthcare. Therefore, effective solutions must address both the environmental and social factors that hinder recovery and well-being.
During the month of July in 2024, average temperatures in Baton Rouge East ranged from 80.77°F to 93.42°F. Scotlandville is the hottest area of Baton Rouge, and South Baton Rouge is a moderately hot area. The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport is a particularly hot spot in Scotlandville due to its large open areas, which absorb lots of sunlight.
The South Baton Rouge Focus Area did not experience major flooding during the August 2016 flood event. A small portion of Scotlandville experienced flooding during the August 2016 flood event.
Significant portions of South Baton Rouge and Scotlandville are impervious surfaces (light gray areas), which are hard surfaces that do not allow water to soak into the ground. This increases flood risk. There is also a lack of tree coverage (dark green) in the communities. The shade from trees helps cool the temperatures in areas and filter pollutants from the air, which are benefits the communities do not experience due to the lack of tree coverage.
Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) are solid and liquid particles in the air that are small enough that they can be inhaled (2.5 micrometers or smaller). They can come directly from a source, like unpaved roads or construction sites, or be the result of chemical reactions from power plants, industrial facilities, and automobiles. When breathed in, they can enter the lungs and bloodstreams, posing serious health issues.
South Baton Rouge ranks in the 82nd percentile in Louisiana and 62nd percentile in the country for PM2.5 levels. Scotlandville ranks in the 80th percentile in Louisiana and 62nd percentile in the country for PM2.5 levels.
Any amount of PM2.5 can be harmful, but the EPA sets the acceptable PM2.5 concentration to less than 9.0 micrograms per cubic meters (µg/m3). South Baton Rouge and Scotlandville experience up to 8.5 µg/m3 of PM2.5.
Ozone (O3) is a molecule in the upper atmosphere that helps shield the earth’s surface from harmful UV rays. However, ground-level ozone is an air pollutant that can cause respiratory issues, especially to those with asthma and other lung conditions. Ground-level ozone is the product of chemical reactions involving compounds emitted by cars, power plants, industrial facilities, and other sources.
South Baton Rouge ranks in the 99th percentile in Louisiana and 67th percentile in the country for ozone levels. Scotlandville ranks in the 93rd percentile in Louisiana and 63rd percentile in the country for ozone levels.
Any amount of ozone can be harmful, but the EPA sets the acceptable ozone concentration to less than 70 parts per billion (ppb). South Baton Rouge and Scotlandville experience up to 64 ppb of ozone.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a chemical within the larger group of nitrogen oxides (NOx). It is the indicator for the the NOx group. It is a pollutant that primarily results from the burning of fuels, such as from automobiles, power plants, and industries. It is also one of the chemicals involved in the chemical reactions that produces ground-level ozone and other reactions that produce acid rain. When inhaled, nitrogen dioxide can irritate the airways and aggravate or cause respiratory diseases, especially asthma.
South Baton Rouge ranks in the 88th percentile in Louisiana and 71st percentile in the country for nitrogen dioxide levels. Scotlandville ranks in the 72nd percentile in Louisiana and 52nd percentile in the country for PM2.5 levels.
Any amount of nitrogen dioxide can be harmful, but the EPA sets the acceptable nitrogen dioxide concentration to less than 100 parts per billion (ppb). South Baton Rouge and Scotlandville experience up to 10 ppb of ozone.