Jefferson, Louisiana

File:Magnolia_School_Whitehall_Plantation_House_Jefferson_Louisiana_Magnolia_Fest_2017_01.jpg

Early French colonial documents show what would become Jefferson as part of the "Tchoupitoulas Coast" of Native American settlement. In the French and Spanish colonial era it was divided into a series of plantations with boundary lines perpendicular to the Mississippi River.

In the American Civil War, Camp Parapet was built originally by Confederate forces to defend New Orleans from an attack from the upriver side. After the Union liberated the city sailing up from downriver, U.S. troops expanded the fortifications to defend against Confederate counterattacks which never came.

What is now Jefferson includes formerly separate small communities dating back to the 19th century, including, Hoeyville, New Carrollon, Southport, and Shrewsbury, along with 20th century subdivisions/land developments including Azalea Gardens, Camellia Gardens, Jefferson Heights, and Rio Vista.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} Some of these names continue to sometimes be used locally to refer to neighborhoods.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

The current four-lane Jefferson Highway was inaugurated in 1928, accelerating development as a suburban area within Greater New Orleans.

Former landmarks included what is best remembered as "The Beverly". An old plantation house was first converted to a "road house" music venue called "Suburban Gardens" in the 1920s; Louis Armstrong and his band had a summer residency here in 1931. In 1945 it was expanded into a lush (but illegal) gambling casino under the name the Beverly Country Club. After federal crackdowns, it became a dinner theater until it burned down in 1983.{{cite web|url=https://www.nola.com/300/2017/08/remembering_the_beverly_a_mob-.html|publisher=Times-Picayune|access-date=2018-02-03|title=Remembering the Beverly|date=August 13, 2017 }}

Jefferson is located in northern Jefferson Parish at {{Coord|29|57|51|N|90|9|26|W|type:city}} (29.964132, -90.157170). It is bordered to the north by Metairie, to the west by Elmwood, to the south, across the Mississippi River, by Bridge City, and to the east by the city of New Orleans in Orleans Parish. U.S. Route 90 (Jefferson Highway) runs through the center of the community, leading {{convert|6|mi|0}} east to downtown New Orleans.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Jefferson CDP has a total area of {{convert|8.5|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|7.0|km2|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|1.5|km2|order=flip}}, or 17.46%, are water.{{Cite web| url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US2238145| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Jefferson CDP, Louisiana| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=July 3, 2018| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213110138/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US2238145| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}} The western part of Jefferson's Census area was lost to Elmwood during the 2000 census.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

The northern boundary is separated from Metairie by the triple barriers of a drainage canal, railroad tracks, and the Earhart Expressway. The only open public road crossings are Causeway Boulevard and Central Avenue. Many years ago, Labarre Road and Shrewsbury Road connected from River Road to Airline Dr. Many Residents in Old Jefferson prefer the route to continue to Airline Dr.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} Old Jefferson is now a tucked away neighborhood.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} It's largely expanding with new shops and businesses coming in.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} Landmarks include the Ochsner Medical Center complex.

{{US Census population

|1960= 19353

|1970= 16489

|1980= 15550

|1990= 14521

|2000= 11843

|2010= 11193

|2020= 10533

|footnote=source:{{cite web

|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING (1790-2000)|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2010-07-17

}}Census area returned as Jefferson Heights in 1960 & 1970.

}}

The 2019 American Community Survey estimated 10,501 people lived in the CDP, down from 11,193 at the 2010 United States census. At the 2020 census, there were 10,533 people in the CDP. In 2019, the racial and ethnic makeup was 62% non-Hispanic white, 23.5% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.6% some other race, 1.7% two or more races, and 10.8% Hispanic and Latino American of any race. In 2020, its makeup was 59.07% non-Hispanic white, 21.79% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.83% two or more races, and 13.63% Hispanic and Latino American of any race. From earlier census reports and estimates, 2019 and 2020 have revealed the continuous diversification of the United States overall, representing a stark rise against the non-Hispanic white population.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-12|title=Census shows US is diversifying, white population shrinking|url=https://apnews.com/article/census-2020-house-elections-4ee80e72846c151aa41a808b06d975ea|access-date=2022-01-05|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=2021-08-12|title=US census: Hispanic and Asian-American driving US population growth|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58195166|access-date=2022-01-05}} The median household income was $50,972 and 12.6% of the population lived at or below the poverty line according to 2019 census estimates.

File:Old Jefferson Jeff Parish LA Nov 2017 06.jpg]]

File:Old Jefferson Jeff Parish LA Nov 2017 03.jpg

File:Riverdale Middle School Old Jefferson Louisiana.jpg

File:Old Jefferson Jeff Parish LA 1 Ap 2017 Jefferson Elementary.jpg

Jefferson Parish Public Schools operates schools in the parish and serves Jefferson.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st22_la/schooldistrict_maps/c22051_jefferson/DC20SD_C22051.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jefferson Parish, LA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-03-02}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st22_la/schooldistrict_maps/c22051_jefferson/DC20SD_C22051_SD2MS.txt Text list]

Residents are zoned to:{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st22_la/place/p2238145_jefferson/DC20BLK_P2238145.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Jefferson CDP, LA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-03-03}}
"[http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st22_la/place/p2238145_jefferson/DC10BLK_P2238145_001.pdf 2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Jefferson CDP, LA]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140518102116/http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st22_la/place/p2238145_jefferson/DC10BLK_P2238145_001.pdf Archive]). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 18, 2014. Compare to individual school attendance boundary maps. Jefferson K-8 School in Jefferson.{{cite web|url=https://la50000440.schoolwires.net/cms/lib/LA50000440/Centricity/Domain/142/EB%20ELEM2324.pdf|title=Elementary School Districts 2023-24 East Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana|publisher=Jefferson Parish Public Schools|access-date=March 2, 2024 }}{{cite web|url=https://la50000440.schoolwires.net/cms/lib/LA50000440/Centricity/Domain/142/EB%20MIDDLE2324.pdf|title=Middle School Districts 2023-24 East Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana|publisher=Jefferson Parish Public Schools|access-date=March 2, 2024 }} Jefferson Elementary and Riverdale Middle were merged into a single school in 2020.{{cite web|last=Masson|first=Rob|url=https://www.fox8live.com/2020/02/06/parents-express-concerns-over-jp-school-consolidation-plan/|title=Parents express concerns over JP school consolidation plan|publisher=Fox 8|date=2020-02-06|access-date=2024-03-02}} Residents are also zoned to Riverdale High School in Jefferson.{{cite web|url=https://la50000440.schoolwires.net/cms/lib/LA50000440/Centricity/Domain/142/EB%20HIGH2324.pdf|title=High School Districts 2023-24 East Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana|publisher=Jefferson Parish Public Schools|access-date=March 3, 2024 }}

In regards to the advanced studies academies, students are zoned to Metairie Academy or Haynes Academy in Old Metairie."[http://jpschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/advanced-study-academies_eastbank_academies-attendance_zones_map1.pdf East Bank Advanced Studies Attendance Zones] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905130103/http://jpschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/advanced-study-academies_eastbank_academies-attendance_zones_map1.pdf |date=2013-09-05 }}" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130905130103/http://jpschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/advanced-study-academies_eastbank_academies-attendance_zones_map1.pdf Archive]). Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.

Previously some residents were zoned to Dolhonde Elementary in Metairie."[http://jpschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/12-13-eb-elem-dist.pdf Elementary School Districts 2012-2013 East Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905120648/http://jpschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/12-13-eb-elem-dist.pdf |date=2013-09-05 }}" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130905120648/http://jpschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/12-13-eb-elem-dist.pdf Archive]). Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.

Private schools:

• St. Agnes School (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans) a K-7 Catholic school of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, was previously in Jefferson. It was founded in 1941,{{cite web|url=https://www.stagnesjefferson.org/school.html|title=School|publisher=St. Agnes Church|location=Jefferson, Louisiana|access-date=2020-05-26}} and closed in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.nola.com/news/education/article_da63098d-a42d-5e3d-b48d-8452c24f9bbd.html|title=Closing of 3 New Orleans-area schools to displace hundreds of students in 2015|newspaper=The Times Picayune|date=2014-10-27|access-date=2020-05-26}} In 2014 it had 161 students, and then in 2015 it had 125 students. Principal Michael Buras stated that the school community gained an acceptance that the school will close.{{cite web|author=Williams, Jessica|url=https://www.nola.com/news/education/article_93508b0e-da22-59bc-9720-40042fa3a6ba.html|title=St. Agnes School at peace with closure, principal tells newspaper |newspaper=The Times Picayune|date=2015-05-14|access-date=2020-05-26}} The school accepted school vouchers.{{cite web|author=Williams, Jessica|url=http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2014/10/much_discussion_around_new_orl.html|title=Much discussion around New Orleans-area Catholic school closures, but some parents say not with them |newspaper=The Times Picayune|date=2014-10-24|access-date=2020-05-26}} {{As of|2020}} Jefferson Chamber Foundation Academy (JCFA) maintains a charter school for non-traditional students in the building.

File:RosedaleLibraryJeffParish.jpg

Jefferson Parish Library operates the Rosedale Library in Jefferson."[http://www.jefferson.lib.la.us/branches/jplpage.rosedale.html Rosedale Library]." Jefferson Parish Library. Retrieved on September 29, 2010. A Greek-revival plantation house named "Rosedale," established in 1838, formerly stood on the present-day site of the library. Two fires in 1978 destroyed the 140-year-old house. The library was established in 1986.

File:Ochsner Garage View Jefferson Louisiana Dec 2016 13.jpg, which houses the administrative headquarters of Ochsner Health System]]

Ochsner Medical Center of the Ochsner Health System is in Jefferson CDP.{{cite web|url=https://www.ochsner.org/locations/ochsner-medical-center|title=Ochsner Medical Center|date=January 14, 2015 |publisher=Ochsner Health System|quote=1514 Jefferson Hwy. New Orleans, LA 70121}} - [https://ochsner-craft.s3.amazonaws.com/www/static/OchsnerMainCampusMap.pdf Campus Map].
Despite the "New Orleans, LA" address, it is outside of the New Orleans CDP and is in fact in the Jefferson census-designated place. Compare to this map: {{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st22_la/place/p2238145_jefferson/DC10BLK_P2238145_001.pdf|title=2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Jefferson CDP, LA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=2022-02-06}}

Old Jefferson was home to jazz musicians Johnny Wiggs and William "Baba" Ridgely.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

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{{Commons category|Old Jefferson, Louisiana}}

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Category:Census-designated places in Louisiana

Category:Census-designated places in the New Orleans metropolitan area

Category:Census-designated places in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

Category:Louisiana populated places on the Mississippi River