Jena, Louisiana

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The town of Jena is the parish seat of La Salle Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. The population was 2,971 at the 2000 census.

Jena and La Salle Parish have been heavily Republican since a two-party system took root in Louisiana. The town is 85 percent white, an unusual high white composition in Louisiana. In the 2003 gubernatorial race, however, La Salle Parish voted heavily for the Democratic Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, rather than the young Republican challenger Bobby Jindal, an Indian American now a U.S. Representative from Metairie in Jefferson Parish. Blanco received 2,974 votes (61 percent) to Jindal's 1,917 ballots (39 percent).[1]

U.S. Representative Speedy O. Long (1928-2006), a Democrat, practiced law in Jena prior to his congressional service (1965-1973). He was later the La Salle Parish district attorney from 1973-1985. Long twice lost bids for governor and once for insurance commissioner. He was a state senator from 1956-1964.

Racial tensions erupted unexpectedly in Jena on September 1, 2006, when hangman's nooses were discovered in a tree on the high school campus. Three students were suspended. On November 30, an arson fire destroyed the main academic building at the school. On December 4, a fight broke out on campus, after which six students were arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder. Law enforcement officers told the Alexandria Daily Town Talk they they have found no links between the noose incident, the arson fire, and subsequent fights. Jena is about 12 percent African American.[2]


Contents

[edit] Geography

Location of Jena, Louisiana

Jena is located at 31°41′24″N, 92°7′29″W (31.689993, -92.124781)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.9 km² (5.4 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 2,971 people, 1,135 households, and 749 families residing in the town. The population density was 213.2/km² (552.7/mi²). There were 1,264 housing units at an average density of 90.7/km² (235.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 85.56% White, 12.02% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population.

There were 1,135 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the town the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,938, and the median income for a family was $39,848. Males had a median income of $31,332 versus $18,317 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,761. About 9.9% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Famous People

[edit] Business Development

  • Wal-Mart Stores, INC is building a new 100,000 sq ft Supercenter on US HWY 84 West.
  • Ace Hardware is building a new 28,000 sq ft store in downtown Jena.
  • Southern Heritage Bank has opened its new 2-story 12,000 sq ft building. It will be the home of all its banking operations.
  • Homeland Federal Saving Bank from Columbia, Louisiana has opened a new branch in Jena.
  • Arrows Industries has opened a new expansion. They now employ over 100 people.
  • Jena Town Hall has moved into the old Southern Heritage Bank building.
  • Dollar General will be building a new larger building across McDonald's.
  • McCartney Oil Company is building a full-service gas station across from the new Supercenter Wal-Mart

[edit] Surrounding Communities

  • Midway
  • Trout
  • Nebo
  • Webb Quarters
  • Summerville
  • Eden
  • Goodpine
  • Possum Point
  • Belah
  • Fellowship
  • White Sulpher Springs
  • Mackeral

[edit] FYI

[edit] Wireless Services

[edit] TV Stations

[edit] Local Banks

  • Southern Heritage Bank
  • Bank of Jena (2 locations)
  • Catahoula-LaSalle Bank
  • Homeland Federal Savings Bank
  • Sabine State Bank and Trust

[edit] Places to Eat

  • JJ's Burger Shop
  • China Restaurant
  • Mitch's
  • Burger Barn
  • Burger Barn Steak House
  • Ginny's Seafood Restaurant
  • Rick's Pizza
  • Westside Pizza
  • The Caboose Cafe and Gift Shop
  • Cafe Martins
  • Maw and Paw's Family Restaurant
  • McDonald's
  • Popeye's Chicken and Biscuits
  • Sonic's Drive In
  • Rhinehart Steak House
  • Picou's Seafood
  • La Cabana Mexican Restaurant

[edit] Medical

  • LaSalle General Hospital
  • LaSalle Vet Hospital

[edit] Points of interest

[edit] Education

Located within a two hour drive of Jena are 6 colleges/universities.

The LaSalle Parish School Board is also located in Jena, Louisiana. The LaSalle Parish School Board System has 9 schools in its district.

  • Jena High School - 9/12
  • Jena Jr High School - 7&8
  • Goodpine Middle School(Jena) - 4/6
  • Jena Elementary School - Pre K/3
  • Olla-Standard Elementary - Pre K/5
  • LaSalle Jr High School - 6/8
  • LaSalle High School - 9/12
  • Fellowship Elementary - Pre K/8
  • Nebo Elementary - Pre K/8

[edit] External links

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