Jeanerette, Louisiana

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City of Jeanerette
City
Nickname : Sugar City
Country United States
State Louisiana
Parish Iberia
Area 2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²)
 - land 2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²)
 - water 0.0 sq mi (0 km²), 0%
Center
 - coordinates 29°54′59″N 91°40′21″W / 29.91639, -91.6725Coordinates: 29°54′59″N 91°40′21″W / 29.91639, -91.6725
 - elevation 16 ft (4.9 m)
Population 5,997 (2000)
Density 2,712.0 /sq mi (1,047.1 /km²)
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 - summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Area code 337
Location of Jeanerette in Louisiana
Location of Jeanerette in Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Location of Louisiana in the United States

Jeanerette is a city in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 5,997 at the 2000 census.

Contents

[edit] History

The town derived its name from John W. Jeanerette, a native of South Carolina who came to the area in 1830. He purchased Pine Grove Plantation, known as Beau Pre, and worked as a tutor on the plantation, opened a store and saloon. He offered a portion of his house to be used as a mail depository for the local inhabitants. Officially the John W. was dropped and John Jeanerette became the first postmaster and the name Jeanerette stuck.

The town of Jeanerette was charted in 1878 and grew from the cypress lumber and sugar industries. Today antebellum homes can be seen in the city and through out the area standing witness to that era.

Sugarcane a key factor in the community’s economy with 3 active sugar mills, one of which is located within the city. Jeanerette is the home of manufacturers of equipment for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of sugarcane. Today, additional sources of income include oil and gas, salt, carbon black, a garment distribution center, and fishing. [1]

[edit] Geography

Jeanerette is located at 29°54′59″N, 91°40′21″W (29.916438, -91.672483)[2].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), all of it land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 5,997 people, 2,057 households, and 1,513 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,712.0 people per square mile (1,047.7/km²). There were 2,272 housing units at an average density of 1,027.5/sq mi (396.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 38.34% White, 59.70% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.

There were 2,057 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 26.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 24.0% 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 2.92 and the average family size was 3.46.

In the city the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,888, and the median income for a family was $26,810. Males had a median income of $36,170 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,871. About 31.2% of families and 34.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.7% of those under age 18 and 23.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] References

  1. ^ www.jeanerettemuseum.com "A little history about Jeanerette"
  2. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.