The Baton Rouge metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget, or simply the Baton Rouge metropolitan area or Greater Baton Rouge, is a sprawling metropolitan statistical area surrounding the city of Baton Rouge. Including the western edge of the Florida Parishes regions, it is known as "Plantation Country", the "Capital Region", and "The 225" (a reference to its area code). At the 2010 U.S. census, the metropolitan area had a population of 802,484,[2] up from 705,973 in 2000.[3] At the 2020 census, its population increased to 870,569,[4] up from 2020 estimates at 858,571.[5]
The Baton Rouge metropolitan area was first defined in 1950. Then known as the Baton Rouge standard metropolitan area (or Baton Rouge SMA), it consisted of a single parish–East Baton Rouge–and had a population of 158,236.[12][13] Following a term change by the Bureau of the Budget (present-day U.S. Office of Management and Budget) in 1959, the Baton Rouge SMA became the Baton Rouge standard metropolitan statistical area (or Baton Rouge SMSA).[14]
By the census of 1960, the population had grown to 230,058, a 45% increase over the previous census.[13] A total of 285,167 people lived in East Baton Rouge Parish in 1970.[13]
Three additional parishes were added to the Baton Rouge SMSA in 1973–Ascension, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge.[15] These four parishes had a combined population of 375,628 in 1970. The area grew rapidly during the 1970s and by the 1980 census, the population had increased 32% to 494,151.[13] In 1983, the official name was shortened to the Baton Rouge metropolitan statistical area (or Baton Rouge MSA), which is still in use to date.[14] It was determined 528,264 residents lived in the metropolitan statistical area in 1990,[13] and 602,894 people lived in the four parishes by the year 2000.
In 2003, the Baton Rouge area was expanded to its current size with the addition of five more parishes: East Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, and West Feliciana.[16] This nine-parish region had a population of 705,973 in 2000. In 2023, Assumption Parish was added to the Baton Rouge metropolitan statistical area. A new combined statistical area.[17]
At the 2019 American Community Survey, the metropolitan area had an estimated population of 854,884.[18] In 2020, its population was an estimated 858,571.[5] The 2020 U.S. census tabulated a population of 870,569.[4] In 2019, the racial and ethnic makeup of the area was 56% White, 36% Black and African American, 2% Asian, 1% multiracial, and 4% Hispanic and Latin American of any race. There was a median household income of $60,746 and per capita income of $31,571. An estimated 15% of the metropolitan population lived at or below the poverty line. Of the population in 2019, there were 305,441 households and an average of 3.7 people per household. The median value of owner-occupied housing units was $195,500, and 4% of its population was foreign born.
^Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas (Report). Office of Budget and Management. July 21, 2023.
