Jeanerette is a city in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States. Known as "Sugar City", it had a population of 5,997 at the 2000 census. It is part of the New Iberia Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The town derived its name from John W. Jeanerette, a native of South Carolina who came to the area in the 1820s. First he worked as a tutor for a planter's family, as did numerous educated young adults from northerly states. Next he opened a store and saloon. Having saved some money, about 1830 Jeanerette purchased Pine Grove Plantation, formerly known as Beau Pré (meaning Lovely Meadow/pasture).[1]
Jeanerette offered a portion of his house to be used as a mail depository for the local inhabitants. Later John Jeanerette was appointed the town's first postmaster (he dropped his middle initial.) The name Jeanerette afterward stuck for the post office and town.[2]
The town of Jeanerette was incorporated in 1878; its economy was based on the cypress lumber and sugar industries. Its nickname has been "Sugar City".[3] Although its major growth was after the American Civil War, it has some surviving antebellum houses in the city and region.
Sugarcane continues as a key factor in the community’s economy, with three 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.[4][dead link]
Geography
Jeanerette is located at 29°54′59″N 91°40′21″W / 29.91639°N 91.6725°W / 29.91639; -91.6725 (29.916438, -91.672483)[5].
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.
Demographics
As of the census[6] 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.
Education
Iberia Parish School System serves Jeanerette. Area secondary schools include:
The Jeanerette Elementary School is public and K-6. In addition St. Charles Elementary School, serving grades 3-6, and Canal Elementary School, serving Kindergarten-2nd grade, are in Jeanerette.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs sponsors the Chitimacha Day School southwest of Jeanerette in the Charenton community of unincorporated St. Mary Parish.[7]
References
- ^ "History of Jeanerette", Jeanerette, LA Official Website, accessed 23 Dec 2009
- ^ "History of Jeanerette", Jeanerette, LA Official Website, accessed 23 Dec 2009
- ^ "History of Jeanerette", Jeanerette, LA Official Website, accessed 23 Dec 2009
- ^ www.jeanerettemuseum.com "A little history about Jeanerette", Jeanerette Museum
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Bureau of Indian Education", Bureau of Indian Affairs
Municipalities and communities of
Iberia Parish, Louisiana |
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| Parish seat: New Iberia |
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Unincorporated
communities |
Avery Island | Belle Place | Berard | Bob Acres | Boudreaux | Bourgeois Landing | Brannon | Bronson | Brousville | Burke | Caroline | Charlotte | Coopersville | Coteau | Daspit | Dauterive Landing | Davids | Delaware | Dennison | Deslatte | Derouen | Duboin | Emma | Fish Island | Gajan | Gall | Georgetown | Greig | Hope | Hubertville | Independent | Jefferson Island | Lasalle | Leesburg | Leleux | Lifenite | Little Valley Plantation | Loisel | Lozes | Ludger | Lyons | Marce | Masters | Mestayer | Migues | Morbihan | Nicholas | Norbert | Numa | Olivier | Oubre | Patoutville | Pesson | Port Of Iberia | Poufette | Rynella | Santiague | Segura | Sumerall | Tony | Ulyssee | Vida | Walet | Weeks
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‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent parish or parishes
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References
