Jefferson, Louisiana Old Jefferson | |
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 Old Jefferson welcome sign at the boundary with the City of New Orleans | |
  Jefferson, Louisiana Location of Jefferson in Louisiana | |
| Coordinates:29°57′51″N90°09′26″W / 29.96417°N 90.15722°W /29.96417; -90.15722 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Jefferson |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.27 sq mi (8.48 km2) |
| • Land | 2.71 sq mi (7.01 km2) |
| • Water | 0.57 sq mi (1.47 km2) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (0.91 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 10,633 |
| • Density | 3,927.6/sq mi (1,516.44/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code | 70121 |
| Area code | 504 |
| FIPS code | 22-38145 |
| GNIS code | 2402632[2] |
Jefferson is acensus-designated place (CDP) inJefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the north side (referred to as the "East Bank") of theMississippi River. Jefferson is part of theNew Orleans–Metairie–Kennermetropolitan statistical area. Thepopulation was 11,193 at the2010 census,[3] and 10,533 in 2020.[4][5] It is often known by locals as "Old Jefferson" (to distinguish itself from the rest of Jefferson Parish), but should not be confused withOld Jefferson inEast Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.
Early French colonial documents show what would become Jefferson as part of the "Tchoupitoulas Coast" of Native American settlement. In the French and Spanish colonial era it was divided into a series ofplantations with boundary lines perpendicular to the Mississippi River.
In theAmerican Civil War,Camp Parapet was built originally by Confederate forces to defend New Orleans from an attack from the upriver side. After the Union liberated the city sailing up from downriver, U.S. troops expanded the fortifications to defend against Confederate counterattacks which never came.
What is now Jefferson includes formerly separate small communities dating back to the 19th century, including, Hoeyville, New Carrollon, Southport, andShrewsbury, along with 20th century subdivisions/land developments including Azalea Gardens, Camellia Gardens, Jefferson Heights, and Rio Vista.[citation needed] Some of these names continue to sometimes be used locally to refer to neighborhoods.[citation needed]
The current four-laneJefferson Highway was inaugurated in 1928, accelerating development as a suburban area within Greater New Orleans.
Former landmarks included what is best remembered as "The Beverly". An old plantation house was first converted to a "road house" music venue called "Suburban Gardens" in the 1920s;Louis Armstrong and his band had a summer residency here in 1931. In 1945 it was expanded into a lush (but illegal) gambling casino under the name the Beverly Country Club. After federal crackdowns, it became a dinner theater until it burned down in 1983.[6]
Jefferson is located in northern Jefferson Parish at29°57′51″N90°9′26″W / 29.96417°N 90.15722°W /29.96417; -90.15722 (29.964132, -90.157170).[3] It is bordered to the north byMetairie, to the west byElmwood, to the south, across the Mississippi River, byBridge City, and to the east by the city ofNew Orleans inOrleans Parish.U.S. Route 90 (Jefferson Highway) runs through the center of the community, leading 6 miles (10 km) east todowntown New Orleans.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the Jefferson CDP has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2), of which 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2) are land and 0.58 square miles (1.5 km2), or 17.46%, are water.[7] The western part of Jefferson'sCensus area was lost to Elmwood during the2000 census.[citation needed]
The northern boundary is separated from Metairie by the triple barriers of a drainage canal, railroad tracks, and theEarhart Expressway. The only open public road crossings are Causeway Boulevard and Central Avenue. Many years ago, Labarre Road and Shrewsbury Road connected from River Road to Airline Dr. Many Residents in Old Jefferson prefer the route to continue to Airline Dr.[citation needed] Old Jefferson is now a tucked away neighborhood.[citation needed] It's largely expanding with new shops and businesses coming in.[citation needed] Landmarks include theOchsner Medical Center complex.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 19,353 | — | |
| 1970 | 16,489 | −14.8% | |
| 1980 | 15,550 | −5.7% | |
| 1990 | 14,521 | −6.6% | |
| 2000 | 11,843 | −18.4% | |
| 2010 | 11,193 | −5.5% | |
| 2020 | 10,533 | −5.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1950[9] 1960[10] 1970[11] 1980[12] 1990[13] 2000[14] 2010[15] | |||
Jefferson first appeared as an unincorporated place in the1960 U.S. census;[10] and as acensus designated place in the1980 United States census.[12]
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 6,281 | 59.07% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 2,317 | 21.79% |
| Native American | 26 | 0.24% |
| Asian | 148 | 1.39% |
| Pacific Islander | 5 | 0.05% |
| Other/Mixed | 407 | 3.83% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 1,449 | 13.63% |
The 2019American Community Survey estimated 10,501 people lived in the CDP, down from 11,193 at the2010 United States census.[5] At the2020 census, there were 10,533 people in the CDP.[4] In 2019, the racial and ethnic makeup was 62%non-Hispanic white, 23.5%Black or African American, 0.4%Native American, 1.1%Asian, 0.6% some other race, 1.7%two or more races, and 10.8%Hispanic and Latino American of any race. In 2020, its makeup was 59.07% non-Hispanic white, 21.79% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.83% two or more races, and 13.63% Hispanic and Latino American of any race.[16] From earlier census reports and estimates, 2019 and 2020 have revealed the continuous diversification of the United States overall, representing a stark rise against the non-Hispanic white population.[17][18] The median household income was $50,972 and 12.6% of the population lived at or below the poverty line according to 2019 census estimates.
Jefferson Parish Public Schools operates schools in the parish and serves Jefferson.[19]
Residents are zoned to:[20] Jefferson K-8 School in Jefferson.[21][22] Jefferson Elementary and Riverdale Middle were merged into a single school in 2020.[23] Residents are also zoned toRiverdale High School in Jefferson.[24]
In regards to the advanced studies academies, students are zoned toMetairie Academy orHaynes Academy in Old Metairie.[25]
Previously some residents were zoned to Dolhonde Elementary inMetairie.[26]
Private schools:
Jefferson Parish Library operates the Rosedale Library in Jefferson.[20][31] A Greek-revivalplantation house named "Rosedale," established in 1838, formerly stood on the present-day site of the library. Two fires in 1978 destroyed the 140-year-old house. The library was established in 1986.[31]
Ochsner Medical Center of theOchsner Health System is in Jefferson CDP.[32]
Old Jefferson was home to jazz musiciansJohnny Wiggs andWilliam "Baba" Ridgely.[citation needed] It is also the home ofHouse Majority WhipSteve Scalise.[33]
1514 Jefferson Hwy. New Orleans, LA 70121-Campus Map.
Municipalities and communities ofJefferson Parish, Louisiana,United States | ||
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| Other unincorporated communities | ||
