Jefferson, Louisiana
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Jefferson is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the north side (referred to as the "East Bank") of the Mississippi River. Jefferson is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner metropolitan statistical area. The population was 11,193 at the 2010 census,<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> and 10,533 in 2020.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> It is often known by locals as "Old Jefferson" (to distinguish itself from the rest of Jefferson Parish), but should not be confused with Old Jefferson in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.
History
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 of plantations with boundary lines perpendicular to the Mississippi River.
In the American 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, and Shrewsbury, along with 20th century subdivisions/land developments including Azalea Gardens, Camellia Gardens, Jefferson Heights, and Rio Vista.Template:Citation needed Some of these names continue to sometimes be used locally to refer to neighborhoods.Template:Citation needed
The current four-lane Jefferson 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.<ref name="Remembering the Beverly">Template:Cite web</ref>
Geography
Jefferson is located in northern Jefferson Parish at Template:Coord (29.964132, -90.157170).<ref name="GR1" /> It is bordered to the north by Metairie, to the west by Elmwood, to the south, across the Mississippi River, by Bridge City, and to the east by the city of New Orleans in Orleans Parish. U.S. Route 90 (Jefferson Highway) runs through the center of the community, leading Template:Convert east to downtown New Orleans.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Jefferson CDP has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert are land and Template:Convert, or 17.46%, are water.<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref> The western part of Jefferson's Census area was lost to Elmwood during the 2000 census.Template:Citation needed
The northern boundary is separated from Metairie by the triple barriers of a drainage canal, railroad tracks, and the Earhart 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.Template:Citation needed Old Jefferson is now a tucked away neighborhood.Template:Citation needed It's largely expanding with new shops and businesses coming in.Template:Citation needed Landmarks include the Ochsner Medical Center complex.
Demographics
Jefferson first appeared as an unincorporated place in the 1960 U.S. census;<ref name=1960CensusLA/> and as a census designated place in the 1980 United States census.<ref name=1980CensusLA/>
| 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 or Latino | 1,449 | 13.63% |
The 2019 American Community Survey estimated 10,501 people lived in the CDP, down from 11,193 at the 2010 United States census.<ref name=":0" /> At the 2020 census, there were 10,533 people in the CDP.<ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Jefferson Parish Public Schools operates schools in the parish and serves Jefferson.<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref>
Residents are zoned to:<ref name=Jeffmap>Template:Cite web
"2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Jefferson CDP, LA" (Archive). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 18, 2014. Compare to individual school attendance boundary maps.</ref> Jefferson K-8 School in Jefferson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Jefferson Elementary and Riverdale Middle were merged into a single school in 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Residents are also zoned to Riverdale High School in Jefferson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In regards to the advanced studies academies, students are zoned to Metairie Academy or Haynes Academy in Old Metairie.<ref>"East Bank Advanced Studies Attendance Zones Template:Webarchive" (Archive). Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.</ref>
Previously some residents were zoned to Dolhonde Elementary in Metairie.<ref>"Elementary School Districts 2012-2013 East Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana Template:Webarchive" (Archive). Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.</ref>
Private schools:
- St. Agnes School (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans) a K-7 Catholic school of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, was previously in Jefferson. It was founded in 1941,<ref name=StAgnesSchoolJefferson>Template:Cite web</ref> and closed in 2015.<ref name=Chalderthreeschools>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2014 it had 161 students,<ref name=Chalderthreeschools/> and then in 2015 it had 125 students. Principal Michael Buras stated that the school community gained an acceptance that the school will close.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The school accepted school vouchers.<ref name=Williamsmuchdisc>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:As of Jefferson Chamber Foundation Academy (JCFA) maintains a charter school for non-traditional students in the building.<ref name=StAgnesSchoolJefferson/>
Public libraries
Jefferson Parish Library operates the Rosedale Library in Jefferson.<ref name="Jeffmap"/><ref name="Libprof">"Rosedale Library." Jefferson Parish Library. Retrieved on September 29, 2010.</ref> A Greek-revival plantation 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.<ref name="Libprof"/>
Healthcare
Ochsner Medical Center of the Ochsner Health System is in Jefferson CDP.<ref>Template:Cite web - Campus Map.
Despite the "New Orleans, LA" address, it is outside of the New Orleans CDP and is in fact in the Jefferson census-designated place. Compare to this map: Template:Cite web</ref>
Notable people
Old Jefferson was home to jazz musicians Johnny Wiggs and William "Baba" Ridgely.Template:Citation needed It is also the home of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Clear
References
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