LIVINGSTON — Livingston Parish isn’t just growing, it’s leading the state.
New research and U.S. Census Bureau data confirm that the parish continues to outpace the region in population growth, adding more residents than any other Baton Rouge metro-area parish. And with that growth comes new opportunities, including expanded healthcare access.
According to the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s latest Quarterly State of the Region report, Livingston Parish welcomed 2,316 new residents in 2024, marking a 7% increase since 2020. While Ascension Parish saw a 6% rise, East Baton Rouge Parish declined by 1%.
Livingston’s rapid expansion isn’t new. Previous Census data already placed it among just eight Louisiana parishes that gained population in recent years, while much of the state saw declines ranging from 1-5%. Other nearby parishes that saw growth included West Baton Rouge and Ascension.
In addition, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes experienced population growth of 4% and 3%, respectively, during that same period.
The data shows what many parish leaders have been sounding the alarm about for several years — people are leaving Baton Rouge for neighboring parishes. Parish President Randy Delatte argues the federal numbers don’t fully capture the true growth.
To correct what he calls outdated population estimates, the parish government has officially appealed to the U.S. Census Bureau. Delatte emphasized in a March 27 social media post that these figures directly impact funding for critical infrastructure like drainage, roads, and emergency services. If the appeal is successful, it could mean millions of dollars in additional resources for the parish
The Juban Crossing area is preparing for its newest fast food restaurant, a McDonald’s located near Rouses Supermarket. This will be the restaurant’s fifth location in the city of Denham Springs.
In the Rushing Road and Range area of Denham Springs, ALDI has recently started work on what will be a new location for the chain grocery store. The store will be located in the building where Stage and Big Lots were formerly, in the same shopping center as Petco and Planet Fitness.
Denham Springs to get its first full-service hospital
With Livingston Parish’s population boom, demand for healthcare services is growing, and a new hospital is on the way to meet that need.
In October 2024, Baton Rouge General and Parish President Randy Delatte announced plans for a new “neighborhood hospital” in Denham Springs, located off Juban Road near I-12. This marks a major milestone for the parish, as it will be the first full-service hospital in Denham Springs.
The BRAC report shows that healthcare remains a growing sector in the Baton Rouge metro area, and jobs in the healthcare field offer employees room for growth. Between 2023 and 2024, healthcare services and private education in the region added 2,400 jobs.
Baton Rouge General already has a presence in the area, operating two primary care locations—one in Denham Springs and another in Livingston. The land for the hospital was purchased in 2023, and groundbreaking is expected in early 2025, with an anticipated opening in 2027.
According to a press release, the Juban Road Baton Rouge General hospital will provide care 24 hours a day and will be fully equipped to offer care for a variety of conditions, including chest pain and heart attacks, broken bones, stroke, abdominal pain, burns, seizures, dehydration, allergic reactions and much more.
Livingston Parish’s rapid expansion isn’t just changing the numbers—it’s shaping the future, bringing new opportunities for residents and businesses alike. And with a new hospital on the horizon, access to emergency care is about to get a lot closer to home.
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