Westwego, Louisiana

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Westwego is a city in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, USA. Westwego is on the west bank of the Mississippi River, within the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area. The population was 10,763 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Education
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Westwego is located at 29°54′11″N, 90°8′35″W (29.902986, -90.142932)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.2 km² (3.6 mi²). 8.3 km² (3.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it (10.64%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 10,763 people, 4,211 households, and 2,850 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,302.7/km² (3,378.0/mi²). There were 4,521 housing units at an average density of 547.2/km² (1,418.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.16% White, 20.02% African American, 0.94% Native American, 1.57% Asian, 0.91% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.59% of the population.

There were 4,211 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,218, and the median income for a family was $31,187. Males had a median income of $29,398 versus $18,916 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,160. About 17.9% of families and 22.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

In 1977, a grain elevator in Westwego exploded due to a spark igniting graindust. The explosion killed more than 30 people. The explosion prompted new safety developments in grain elevators.

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Westwego's was so named because it was a major crossing point on the Mississippi river during the great westward movement of the late 1800s. When traverlers were asked where they were going they would often reply "west we go".

Sidney Arnondin, jazz writer of the song "Lazy River" was resident of and born in Westwego (across the river from New Orleans), March 29, 1901

[edit] Education

The public schools in Westwego are operated by the Jefferson Parish Public School System.

All city residents are zoned to Pitre Elementary School in Westwego.

Most city residents are zoned to Worley Middle School (Westwego) and Higgins High School (Unincorporated Jefferson County). Some are zoned to Marrerro Middle School (Unincorporated Jefferson County) and John Ehret High School (Unincorporated Jefferson County).