Thibodaux, Louisiana
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City of Thibodaux | |
---|---|
City | |
Nickname : Queen City of Lafourche | |
Country | United States |
State | Louisiana |
Parish | Lafourche |
Area | 5.5 sq mi (14.2 km²) |
- land | 5.5 sq mi (14.2 km²) |
- water | 0.0 sq mi (0 km²), 0% |
Center | |
- coordinates | Coordinates: |
- elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
Population | 14,431 (2000) |
Density | 2,636.8 /sq mi (1,018.1 /km²) |
Incorporated | 1830 |
Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
- summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
ZIP codes | 70301, 70302, 70310 |
Area code | 985 |
Website : http://ci.thibodaux.la.us |
Thibodaux (pronounced "TIB-uh-doe"; IPA: /ˈtɪbədoʊ/ or "TIB-oh-doe"; /ˈtɪbodoʊ/) is a small city located on the banks of Bayou Lafourche in northwestern Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States.[1][2]
The population was 14,431 at the 2000 census.
Thibodaux is nicknamed "Queen City of Lafourche."
Thibodaux is home to Nicholls State University. It was mentioned in Hank Williams' "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)", in the 1970s Jerry Reed song "Amos Moses," in the 1990s George Strait song "Adalida," and is the title of a song by jazz songstress Marcia Ball.
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[edit] History
The community was settled in the 18th century. It was incorporated as a town in 1830 under the name Thibodauxville, in honor of local plantation owner Henry Schuyler Thibodaux, who in 1824 served as acting governor of Louisiana. The name was changed to Thibodeaux in 1838, and the current spelling Thibodaux was officially adopted in 1918.
A sugar cane workers' strike culminated in the "Thibodaux Massacre" of Nov. 1-4,1887, the second most bloody labor dispute in U.S. history. The strike for higher wages of 10,000 workers (1,000 of whom were white) was organized by the Knights of Labor during rolling period. This was critical to the sugar cane harvest. Planters were alarmed both by outside organizations and the thought of losing their total crops. Plantations in Terrebone and Lafourche parishes were involved. The governor called in the State militia at the planters' request. Efforts to break the strike resulted in the deaths of a total of 30-35 African American workers, chiefly at the hands of white paramilitary members.[3][4]
In 1896, the first "rural free delivery" of mail in Louisiana began in Thibodaux. It was the second in the United States.
[edit] Geography
Thibodaux is located at [5] and has an elevation of 13 feet (4.0 m)[6].
(29.7922, -90.8200)According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.5 square miles (14.2 km²), all of it land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 14,431 people,[2] 5,500 households, and 3,355 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,636.8 people per square mile (1,018.6/km²). There were 6,004 housing units at an average density of 1,097.0/sq mi (423.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.04% White, 33.76% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.
There were 5,500 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 19.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 17.3% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,697, and the median income for a family was $36,551. Males had a median income of $31,464 versus $21,144 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,966. About 20.6% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.3% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Education
Residents are zoned to schools in the Lafourche Parish Public Schools [1].
Zoned elementary schools include:
W.S. Lafargue Elementary School
Zoned middle schools include:
Sixth Ward Middle School
Thibodaux residents are zoned to Thibodaux High School.
Catholic schools include
- Edward Douglas White Catholic High School
- St. Genevieve Catholic Elementary
- St. Joseph Catholic Elementary
[edit] Other information
ZIP codes for Thibodaux are 70301, 70302, and 70310. The mayor of Thibodaux is Charles Caillouet. Thibodaux's area code is 985.
The Catholic patron saints of Thibodaux are Saint Vitalis of Milan and Saint Valérie, the Roman virgin-martyr. A life-sized reliquary of Saint Valérie is displayed in St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, in Thibodaux.
Thibodaux was mentioned in the song Amos Moses by country singer Jerry Reed.
[edit] Famous Residents
- Eric Andolsek, player for Detroit Lions; died in an auto accident
- Kody Chamberlain, comic book writer and artist
- Mark Anthony Davis, professional basketball player
- Jarvis Green, defensive end for the New England Patriots
- Damian Johnson, player for the Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball team
- John Robichaux, jazz musician
- Graham Patrick Martin-actor on The Bill Engvall Show: born in Thibodaux.
[edit] References
- ^ "Thibodaux, Louisiana (LA) Detailed Profile" (notes), City Data, 2007.
- ^ a b C2000-LA "Census 2000 Data for the State of Louisiana" (town list), US Census Bureau, May 2003
- ^ http://douglass.vcdh.virginia.edu/historyengine/index, "Thibodaux Massacre", accessed 4 December 2007
- ^ www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.cgi?path=170941009564791, C. Wyatt Evans, "The Ambiguities of Labor in Sugar Country", accessed 4 December 2007
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- City of Thibodaux
- Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce website
- Thibodaux Area Community Forums and Free Classifieds
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