WEATHER
St. Tammany enjoys a temperate, sub-tropical climate with an average annual temperature of 68 degrees; standard daytime temperature in the summer reaches 90 and in the winter, 66. An average 60 inches of rainfall per year sustains the healthy lush, green foliage found here. Afternoon showers break up the days and provide much-needed respite from the summertime heat.
With St. Tammany located close to the Gulf of Mexico, severe weather can threaten during the June-to-November hurricane season. Generally, St. Tammany enjoys a climate perfect for year-round outdoor activities and events.
POPULATION
(Source: U.S. Census, St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation)
TRANSPORTATION
Airport:
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner is approximately a 33-mile drive from the Causeway Bridge in Mandeville.
Roadways:
Interstates 10, 12 and 59 run through St. Tammany Parish as do U.S. highways 11, 90 and 190. Eight major and 19 other state highways connect the parish to both metropolitan and rural areas to the north, south, east and west. The 24-mile Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bridge provides direct access to New Orleans across the lake.
Bus Service/goSTAT:
goSTAT Rural Service operates a transportation system for residents of St. Tammany Parish whose trips originate in a rural area. This service is non-emergency, demand-response and for a nominal fee provides curb-to-curb service on a call-in, first come first serve basis. goSTAT Rural accepts reservations and cancellations Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (with off-hour voicemail service). Call (985) 649-6956.
goSTAT Urban Service operates a transportation system for residents of St. Tammany Parish whose trips begin in an urban area. Urban areas of the parish are typically comprised of the cities of Slidell, Covington, Mandeville and parts of Lacombe. This service is designed to transport passengers to and between essential services and destinations. This service is non-emergency, demand-response and for a nominal fee provides curb-to-curb service on a call-in, first come first serve basis. goSTAT Urban accepts reservations and cancellations Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (with off-hour voicemail service). Call (877) 810-STAT (7828). Visit www.stpgov.org/gostat for more information.
WATER
Much of St. Tammany Parish is traversed by waterways. Lake Ponchartrain leads to the Gulf of Mexico while the Bogue Falaya, Pearl, Tchefuncte and West Pearl Rivers crisscross the parish.
MILEAGE TO/FROM PARISH SEAT
- Atlanta, GA 467 miles
- Baton Rouge, LA 64 miles
- Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport 71 miles
- Dallas, TX 511 miles
- Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport 67 miles
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport 40 miles
- New Orleans, LA 43 miles
(Source: LA Dept. of Economic Development)
LIVING
Employment:
The parish has an estimated 113,134 people in the labor force who are 16 years or older with 36 percent employed in management, professional and related occupations; 29 percent in sales and office occupations; 17 percent in service occupations; 10 percent in construction and 8 percent in production, transportation and material moving occupations. St. Tammany’s unemployment rate for 2010 was 5.6 percent compared to 7.4 percent for the state and 9.6 percent nationwide. (Source: St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation)
Housing:
The single family average house price in East St. Tammany is $172,228 and $261,674 in West St. Tammany for a parish average of $226,206.
(Source: St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation)
Cost of Living:
St. Tammany’s cost of living composite index is 97.7. The parish’s estimated per capita income in 2010 was $29,666, making it higher than both Louisiana’s per capita income of $22,493 and the U.S. at $27,034. (Source: St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation)
School System:
St. Tammany has a superb school system. Its schools consistently score above national and state levels on standardized tests. It has one of the lowest dropout rates of 2 percent compared to the state’s rate of 3.5 percent. St. Tammany’s public school system is one of the best in the nation. With nearly 60 public schools, St. Tammany will educate 36,651 students in the 2010-2011 school year. There are also 21 private and/or faith-based schools. (Source: St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation)
TAXES
Personal Income Taxes:
State income tax is based on a percentage of federal income tax liability. The deadline for state filing is May 15. For additional information, call the state Department of Revenue and Taxation at (985) 893-6277 or the federal internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-1040.
Property Tax:
Residential property is assessed at 10 percent of fair market value with a $7,500 homestead exemption. (In other words, you do not pay property taxes on the first $75,000 worth of property, only the amount above that figure). Land and other classes of property are assessed at 15 percent of value. The tax assessor’s office is located in the St. Tammany Justice Center, 701 N. Columbia Street, Suite # 4, Covington or in the Towers Building, 520 Old Spanish Trail, 2nd Floor, Ste. 2F, Slidell. Call (985) 809-8180 for more information.
NEWCOMER INFORMATION
Voter Registration:
To register to vote you must be a U.S. Citizen, at least 18 years old, mentally sound and under no order of imprisonment for the conviction of a felony. There is no required length of residency as a condition to registering. To register, apply in person at the Registrar’s Office in the St. Tammany Justice Center, 701 N. Columbia Street, Covington or at the Towers Building, 520 Old Spanish Trail – 2nd Floor, Slidell. You can also apply online at http://www.stprov.org/. For more information call (985) 809-5500.
Residency:
A resident is someone who has taken the necessary, common sense steps to live somewhere such as changing their driver’s license, changing automobile registration, renting/buying a place to live or connecting telephone or electrical services. If you move to a rural area contact the United States Postal Service at 800-275-8777 for mailbox installation requirements.
Driver’s License:
An out-of-state driver’s license is valid for 30 days after establishing residency. To apply for a Louisiana driver’s license, go to the Department of Motor Vehicles located at 1715 N. Causeway Blvd. in Mandeville or 1514 Lindberg Dr. in Slidell. You will need to present your valid out-of-state license or certified copy of your driving record, a primary document to prove identity such as a birth certificate, valid passport or a military I.D., and Social Security Card. For more information on office hours, call (985) 624-4445.
Inspection Stickers:
Inspection stickers are due immediately upon changing vehicle titles. The vehicle can be taken to any official vehicle inspection station. You will need to present a Louisiana driver’s license, vehicle registration certificate, license plate and proof of liability insurance. The inspections cost $10.
Vehicle Registration:
Changed vehicle registrations are required as soon as possible, but no more than 30 days after establishing residency. You will need your vehicle’s registration paper and title issued by the state in which you previously resided, proof of liability insurance and the current mileage on your vehicle. For more information call the Department of Motor Vehicles (225) 925-6146.