Try Bastrop for a weekend. Stay for life.
A town with an historic courthouse-square near 1,500-year-old cypress trees in northeast Louisiana. Homes cost a fraction of big-city prices, and the people who grew up here are coming back. Spend a weekend, walk downtown, paddle the bayou, and see if it fits.
Getting here
An easy drive from across the region.
- Monroe, LAabout 25 min
- Shreveport, LAabout 2 hours
- Jackson, MSabout 2½ hours
- Little Rock, ARabout 2½ hours
- Dallas, TXabout 4½ hours
Flying in? Monroe Regional Airport (MLU) is about 28 minutes away, with nonstops to Atlanta and Dallas–Fort Worth.
Flying private? Morehouse Memorial Airport (KBQP) is owned by the City of Bastrop, about two nautical miles southeast of downtown.
Drive times are approximate. Sources: Airport.guide [5]; AeroCorner [6]; Wikipedia [7]
A weekend in Bastrop
The best way to decide is to come see itSaturday
Specialty coffee at Grit + Grind or breakfast at PT's Eat-a-Bite, a historic 76-year-old diner on the courthouse square.
Chemin-A-Haut State Park. Walk the "high road" trail past cypress trees up to 1,500 years old, or rent a kayak (April through September) and paddle Bayou Bartholomew.
Lunch at the Duck Blind, the restaurant upstairs in the back of Simmons Sporting Goods, then browse 80,000 square feet at the South's largest independent single-location outfitter.
Browse the shops along Madison Avenue downtown. Many downtown shops close on Sundays, so Saturday is your shopping day. Check the 71220 Facebook page for local events.
Dinner at Paesano's Italian Restaurant, 124 S. Washington St., for pizza, pasta, seafood and Southern options. It's European-owned and operated. Tell Tony that we sent you!
Sunday
Fish or walk the trails at Bussey Brake, a 2,200-acre reservoir known for bass and crappie, with an 8-mile trail and three fishing piers.
Lunch at Granny’s Family Restaurant, a down-home family restaurant with a Southern-style buffet and seafood. Open Sundays 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Walk Courthouse Square and take in the 1914 courthouse at the heart of historic downtown.
Drive 7 miles east to Mer Rouge for homemade ice cream and banana malts at Country Cream Drive-In, 102 E. Davenport Ave. Cash only; call ahead for hours, 318-647-5188.
Drive a few neighborhoods and see what $90,000 buys. Request the Chamber's free relocation packet if you're serious.
Sources: Louisiana Sportsman [1]; Simmons [4, 8]; Bastrop-Morehouse Chamber of Commerce [9]; Explore Louisiana [10]; Country Cream [11]; Paesano's [12]; LDWF [13]; Louisiana State Parks [14]
Stay in town
Find a place for your weekend
Examples of homes listed for short stays in the Bastrop area.
Homes on Airbnb
Browse cottages and houses in and around Bastrop, from a night to a month.
Homes on Vrbo
More vacation rentals in Bastrop, good for families and longer visits.
Thinking about moving? Email us before your visit and we'll show you around town: stropstrong@gmail.com
When to visit
Plan a trip around these| When | Event |
|---|---|
| 2nd Saturdays, Apr–Oct | Starr Homeplace Community Days: hands-on heritage crafts and skills, near Oak Ridge |
| April or May | Crawfest, hosted by the North Louisiana Cotton Festival Association |
| May | Morehouse May Madness: free street festival downtown with an art exhibit, classic cars, motorcycles, music and vendors |
| 3rd Saturday of October | Chemin-A-Haut Trail Run & Walk: 4-mile run and 1-mile walk through the state park |
| Fall | North Louisiana Cotton Festival and Fair: rides, music, exhibits and food |
| Halloween | Witch Way to Main Street, downtown trick-or-treat |
| Winter | Duck season: Morehouse Parish is one of the country's top duck hunting areas |
Sources: Bastrop-Morehouse Chamber of Commerce [9]; Islands [15]; Morehouse May Madness [16]
Thinking about staying longer?
The rest of this page is for people weighing a move, or a bigger stake in town.
For Retirees
Quiet days, care close by, money that goes furtherHealthcare
In Bastrop: Morehouse General Hospital, a 49-bed acute care hospital at 323 West Walnut, 318-283-3600.
CommuniHealth, outpatient and primary care, 314 N. Franklin Street, 318-283-8887.
In Monroe: Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Medical Center, 244 beds, 24-hour emergency department and Level III trauma center, with cardiology, cancer care, orthopedics and dialysis.
Sources: Chamber [9]; Louisiana Dept. of Health [19]; CommuniHealth [20]; Ochsner LSU Health [21]
Your money goes further
- Louisiana's income tax is a flat 3% from tax year 2025.
- People 65+ can exclude up to $12,000 a year of retirement income.
- Homes at a median price of $87,800 keep property tax bills low.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau [17]; Louisiana Dept. of Revenue [18]
Support for living independently
The Council on Aging (318-283-0845) serves weekday meals, delivers meals and has a fitness center. The Historic Bastrop High School has been renovated into 1- and 2-bedroom apartments for seniors starting at $540 a month.
Source: Bastrop-Morehouse Chamber of Commerce [9]
Getting around
Monroe Regional Airport is 22 miles, about 28 minutes away, with nonstops to Atlanta (Delta) and Dallas–Fort Worth (American), each about three a day. Interstate 20 is about 20 minutes south.
Flying your own plane? Morehouse Memorial Airport (BQP) is city-owned, about 2 miles from downtown, with a 4,002-foot runway.
Sources: Airport.guide [5]; AeroCorner [6]; Wikipedia [7]; Chamber [9]
Calling All Creatives
A blank canvas. Come make your mark.Bastrop’s artist community is still being created, and that’s the opportunity. Play music on the square, open a studio downtown, start a writers’ circle, put your name on a mural. We’re looking for the firsts, and welcome all musicians, painters, sculptors, writers and makers. Bring your art and your community.
Be the first
Nothing here is claimed yet. A few places to start:
- Live music or an open mic on the courthouse square
- A pop-up gallery in an empty downtown storefront
- A writers’ circle or a poetry night
- A mural, a sculpture or a public piece with your name on it
- Classes and workshops for kids and adults
Space you can afford
Resident spaces you can afford starting at $400 a month. A house with a spare room for a studio costs less than a city one-bedroom.
Everyday costs stretch further too. Overall, living costs run about 12% below the national average, with groceries, housing and health care all cheaper than average.
Source: ERI cost of living [22]
Show and sell your work
- Morehouse May Madness is a street festival in historic downtown Bastrop with an art exhibit, classic car and motorcycle exhibits, music, a kid zone, farmers market activities, and juried merchant and food vendors. No gate fee.
- The Morehouse Activity Center (The MAC) is a large multi-purpose arena known for rodeos and livestock events. It also hosts art expos, fall festivals, and arts and crafts shows.
Sources: Morehouse May Madness [16]; The MAC [23]
We’ll help you get here
Thinking about it? Tell us what you make and what you need, whether that’s a place to stay for a scouting visit, leads on studio space, or a first gig on the square. We’ll help you get here.
Good to know
- Internet: 69% of Bastrop households have broadband. Speeds vary by street, so check the exact address on the FCC map before you sign anything.
- A craft tradition: Starr Homeplace Heritage and Creativity Center teaches hands-on craftsmanship at monthly community days, and Delta Magnet School focuses on fine and performing arts, for artists with kids.
- A bigger scene nearby: Monroe, about 25 minutes south, is home to the University of Louisiana Monroe. The Louisiana Division of the Arts supports artists statewide with programs and grants.
Sources: Chamber [9]; U.S. Census Bureau [17]; FCC [24]; Louisiana Division of the Arts [25]
Bastrop Boomerangs
For people with Bastrop roots, and the retirees who chose itYou left. The town kept your seat.
- Downtown has been recognized as a "Distinctive Destination" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
- Follow 71220 on Facebook to see what's happening every week.
Source: Islands [15]
Tell us your story
Are you a Boomerang who moved back, or a retiree who chose Bastrop? We're collecting short stories: why you came, what surprised you, and what you'd tell someone deciding.
Study in Bastrop
Career training at Louisiana Delta Community CollegeLDCC is developing a new Bastrop campus, with training for careers in healthcare, the trades and technical fields. [26]
In-person career programs
LDCC's Bastrop campus at 6376 Airport Road offers hands-on training that leads to jobs:
- Practical Nursing
- Patient Care Technician
- Nurse Assistant
- Structural Welding
- Structural and Pipe Welding
General Studies is offered on campus, and many associate degrees are available online.
For more information, contact LDCC-Bastrop Student Services at 318-974-7029 or visit LDCC-Bastrop.
Source: LDCC Bastrop campus [27]
Help paying for school
Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program pays up to $1,600 a semester ($3,200 a year, up to $6,400 total) for Louisiana residents 21 and older in high-demand career programs, with income limits. Students keep the award by staying enrolled, keeping at least a 2.00 GPA and completing the FAFSA each year. Federal Pell Grants may also help.
Other Louisiana aid to ask about:
- Chafee Education and Training Voucher: up to $5,000 a year for students ages 14 to 25 with foster care experience.
- Planning to transfer to a four-year school? Geaux Teach helps future teachers, and the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship helps students in forestry, wildlife or marine science.
Sources: LOSFA [28]; LDCC financial aid [29]; KNOE [30]
Coming from a nearby town? We're working on rides and places to stay for students. Email us to stay in the loop: stropstrong@gmail.com. This page is from the 71220 community, not LDCC. For official information, visit ladelta.edu/campuses/bastrop.
Honest trade-offs
Know these before you decide- Schools: public school ratings are the top concern for families. There are good options: Morehouse Magnet School earned National Blue Ribbon status, Beekman Charter is growing, and Prairie View Academy is the local private school.
- Healthcare Specialists: most specialty care is in Monroe, about 25 to 30 minutes away.
- A smaller town: the population went from 9,691 in 2020 to an estimated 8,908 in 2025. Fewer local jobs is part of why homes are affordable.
- Growth ahead: big projects in northeast Louisiana could raise housing costs over time.
Sources: Chamber [9]; U.S. Census Bureau [17]
Real Estate in Bastrop
A home to live in or property to invest in, at small-town pricesEvery address in Bastrop qualifies for a USDA home loan with 0% down payment. USDA loans are for the home you live in, and buyers must meet income limits. Check eligibility →
The numbers
- Median home value: $87,800
- Median monthly rent: $839
- Historic downtown recognized as a "Distinctive Destination" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
- City-owned Morehouse Memorial Airport with a 4,002-foot runway
Sources: Wikipedia [7]; Islands [15]; U.S. Census Bureau [17]
See what's for sale
Browse current listings in the 71220 ZIP code:
Looking at commercial property? The Morehouse Economic Development Corporation lists available buildings and sites and incentives.
Relocation packet
The Bastrop-Morehouse Chamber of Commerce mails a free packet with demographics, schools, medical services, realtors and banking.
318-281-3794 · 110 N. Franklin Street
Request a packet →
Talk to us first
We grew up here and invest here. Ask us anything about neighborhoods, prices or what it's really like.
Grow a business in Bastrop
Room to grow, at every sizeBastrop is ready for its next chapter, and we want you in it. From storefronts on the historic downtown square to sites in the industrial park, low costs make this a place to open, expand or build a business. Bastrop is open to businesses of every size, from small shops to larger-scale operations. Come grow with us!
Talk to us first
Thinking about opening a business in Bastrop? Tell us what you have in mind. Reach out to us and we’ll make the appropriate introductions.
Bastrop/Coulter Industrial Park
Bastrop’s industrial park is centered on Industrial Drive, Airport Road and Naff Street, with room for manufacturing, logistics and production.
- Available acreage: industrial sites from about 17 acres up to 138 acres, divisible.
- Available buildings: a city-owned 10,000 sq ft light industrial building with a fenced yard at 9100 Industrial Drive, and the Richardson Building at 9040 Industrial Drive, with an office and an 11,250 sq ft shop with 35-foot ceilings.
- Businesses in and around the park: Parker Wholesale Paper Co. operates inside the park, and DG Foods is on Airport Road.
- Inquiries: the Morehouse Economic Development Corporation, 119 East Madison, 318-283-4000.
Sources: Morehouse EDC [31]; Louisiana Site Selection [32]
Industries in the parish
- Specialty chemicals
- Timber and wood products
- Agriculture
- Aviation
- Food products and processing
- Industrial services and maintenance
- Transportation and trucking
- Natural gas transmission
- Green energy
Source: Morehouse EDC [31]
Major employers
- Health care: Morehouse General Hospital, CommuniHealth, and several nursing and behavioral health facilities
- Retail: Simmons Sporting Goods
- Food processing: DG Foods
- Bio energy: Morehouse Bioenergy (Drax)
- Agriculture: Kennedy Rice Mill
- Industrial: RIMCOR Inc., Industrial Valve Sales & Services
- Public sector: Morehouse Parish School Board, City of Bastrop, Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office
Source: Morehouse EDC [31]
Bastrop-Morehouse Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber supports local businesses and can connect you with members, events and community resources. Its office is at 110 N. Franklin Street, 318-281-3794.
Source: Bastrop-Morehouse Chamber of Commerce [9]
Morehouse Economic Development Corporation
The economic development agency for Bastrop and Morehouse Parish. A nonprofit founded in 1984, it helps businesses with site selection, workforce, incentives and training, including through LDCC’s Bastrop campus.
Source: Morehouse EDC [31]
Latest from 71220
What’s happening in town, and how to get there
Local business spotlight: The Front Porch Garden & Gifts
Bastrop, have you explored The Front Porch on Madison Avenue yet?
Don't let the name fool you. There's a whole lot more than garden supplies waiting inside!
The Front Porch brings together a variety of vendors and unique finds, making it a fun place to browse whether you're shopping for yourself, decorating your home, or looking for a thoughtful gift.
- Boutique clothing, handbags, and accessories
- Home décor, furniture, and vintage-inspired pieces
- Plants, flowers, and garden decorations
- Gifts, seasonal decorations, and special little finds
And with different vendors bringing their own collections, you never know what might catch your eye!
Just look at their fall decorations outside! They've brought some real personality to Madison Avenue.
Shopping local isn't just about making a purchase. It's about supporting the small businesses and vendors that help keep our downtown alive.
The Front Porch Garden & Gifts
111 E. Madison Avenue, Bastrop, LA
Monday–Friday | 10 AM–5:30 PM
318-461-4172
Have you visited The Front Porch? Tell us about something you found there!
Find your way to Bastrop
About 25 minutes from Monroe, just south of the Arkansas line.