Meraux, Louisiana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Meraux is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana in the United States. The population was 10,192 at the 2000 census.

In 2005, the town was devastated by storm surge and wind associated with Hurricane Katrina which destroyed the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal (MRGO) levee.

[edit] Geography

Cars tossed by Katrina storm surge, Archbishop Hannon Avenue, Meraux

Meraux is located at 29°55′39″N, 89°55′7″W (29.927561, -89.918508)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 12.4 km² (4.8 mi²). 10.8 km² (4.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (12.94%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 10,192 people, 3,707 households, and 2,772 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 946.0/km² (2,447.8/mi²). There were 3,793 housing units at an average density of 352.0/km² (911.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.71% White, 3.66% African American, 0.47% Native American, 1.63% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.07% of the population.

There were 3,707 households out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,732, and the median income for a family was $52,408. Males had a median income of $38,727 versus $24,004 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,951. About 6.4% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.