Baker, LA

Census place 2203985 · pop 12,253

F35/ 100
💀 Bad
D−
in LA
📍 Louisiana ranks #46 of 50 states →
🏆 Prop tax0.45% · top 6%
🚽 Growth-8.8% · bottom 3%
Taxes
0.45% property · US 0.99%10.11% sales · US 7.00%3.00% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Population growth (5yr)-8.8%3

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

-8.8% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Poverty rate29.8%4

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

29.8% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Adult obesity43.4%7

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

43.4% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Adult smoking19.0%9

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

19.0% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Poor mental health20.3%9

U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities

20.3% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Natural disaster riskCounty-level99/10013

U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities

99/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Physical inactivity32.7%15

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

32.7% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Median household income$54,75020

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$54,750 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Air quality (AQI)County-level51 AQI23

U.S. median 42 AQI · worse than most cities

51 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Bachelor's degree or higher20.6%24

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

20.6% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Violent crime rate402/100k24

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

402 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level7 days28

U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities

7 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Property crime rate1751/100k35

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

1751 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Unemployment rateCounty-level3.8%43

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

3.8% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Commute time24 min46

U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities

24 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Broadband access92.5%57

U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities

92.5% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Homeownership69.9%66

U.S. median 67.2% · better than most cities

69.9% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Housing cost$157,90084

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$157,900 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Income inequality0.3985

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.39 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Property-tax burden0.45%94

U.S. median 0.99% · better than most cities

0.45% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Not measured for Baker: Uninsured, Rent. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.

Frequently asked

Is Baker, LA a good place to live?
By the numbers, Baker scores 35/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is property-tax burden and its weakest is population growth (5yr). Louisiana overall ranks #46 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Baker, LA?
Baker reports 402 violent crimes per 100k and 1751 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Baker, LA expensive to live in?
Baker has a median home value of $157,900 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Baker, LA?
Its weakest measured area is population growth (5yr) (-8.8%) — 3/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Baker, LA best at?
Its strongest measured area is property-tax burden (0.45%) — 94/100, better than most U.S. cities.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.