Prairieville, Louisiana

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Prairieville is a growing community in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, located just south of Baton Rouge and north of Gonzales. It began as a quiet area with open pastures along Jefferson Highway (Highway 73) and Airline Highway, from which it got its name. Over the years it has become a popular bedroom suburb for people who work in Baton Rouge, attracted by good public schools and a low crime rate.

As of the 2020 census, Prairieville had 33,197 residents, 10,928 households, and 8,428 families. If Prairieville were incorporated, it would be the largest city in Ascension Parish, bigger than Donaldsonville and Gonzales combined.

The area is near the coast and can be affected by hurricanes. Hurricane Gustav caused major damage, knocking down trees and power lines for weeks. A notable local landmark is Phillips Farm, whose farmhouse remains a familiar sight. The land around the farm was developed into Seven Oaks, and the 40-acre tract now operates as Oak Lane Memorial Park cemetery after the farm was sold in 2006.

Prairieville is also known for Prairieville Middle School, a historic and high-performing school in the parish. Bluff Middle School opened in 2020 as a newer addition to the area’s schools. Prairieville was first listed as a census-designated place in 2010.