Kenner, Louisiana

Kenner is a suburb of New Orleans that has a population of 70,517 (census 2000). The city is part of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.

History

In 1855, Kenner was founded by Minor Kenner on land that consisted of three plantation properties that had been purchased by the Kenner family. At the time, all land north of what is now Airline Hwy was swampland.

During 1915-1931 a New Orleans streetcar line operated between New Orleans and Kenner. The line ran between the intersection of Rampart and Canal in New Orleans and the intersection of Williams Blvd and Jefferson Hwy in Kenner.

In 1960, Kenner had a population of 17,037.

Kenner's growth began in the late 1950's when developers began subdividing, draining and filling the swampland in the northern half of the city. During the 1960's, the construction of Interstate 10 and improvements to Veterans Memorial Highway aided the rapid development of Kenner as a suburb of New Orleans.

By 1979, Kenner's population was 60,524 making it the 6th largest city in state.

In 1982, Pan Am flight 759 crashed in a residential area of Kenner. A total of 154 people were killed (all 146 on board and 8 on the ground). Six houses were completely destroyed; five houses were substantially damaged.

Geography

Kenner is located on the west side of the New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area, in Jefferson Parish. Its boundaries are Lake Pontchartrain to the north; the Mississippi River to the south; the unincorporated areas of Metairie and River Ridge to the east; and St. Charles Parish to the west.

Other statistics: Kenner's coordinates are 30°0′35″N 90°15′2″W (30.009610, -90.250585)Template:GR and has an elevation of Template:Ft to mTemplate:GR. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.4 km² (15.2 mi²). 39.2 km² (15.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (00.7%) is water.

Demographics

Kenner (map center) is on the west end of New Orleans.

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 70,517 people, 25,652 households, and 18,469 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,798.3/km² (4,659.0/mi²). There are 27,378 housing units at an average density of 698.2/km² (1,808.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 68.12% White, 22.55% African American, 0.40% Native American, 2.84% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.80% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. 13.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 25,652 households out of which 36.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% are married couples living together, 16.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% are non-families. 23.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.72 and the average family size is 3.23.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $39,946, and the median income for a family is $45,866. Males have a median income of $34,964 versus $24,051 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,615. 13.6% of the population and 11.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 18.7% of those under the age of 18 and 12.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Points of Interest

• According to Census 2000, Kenner had 32 houses valued at $1,000,000 or more.
• Kenner is home to the following:

• Louis Armstrong International Airport -- New Orleans' international airport.
• Pontchartrain Center -- Opened in 1991, it is the second-largest convention center in the New Orleans metro area.
• Kenner Regional Medical Center -- one of the major hospitals in the New Orleans metro area.
• The Esplanade Mall -- Opened in 1985, it is one of only two major malls located in East Jefferson (the East Bank of Jefferson Parish).
• Chateau Golf and Country Club -- one of only three golf courses located in East Jefferson (the East Bank of Jefferson Parish).
• Treasure Chest Casino -- Docked where Williams Boulevard hits Lake Pontchartrain, it is the only casino located in East Jefferson (the East Bank of Jefferson Parish).
• Rivertown -- The historic district located along the original main street of Old Kenner -- where Williams Boulevard hits the Mississippi River. Rivertown features numerous museums, shops, and cultural resources. Highlights include the Rivertown Repertory Theatre, Kenner's Heritage Park, Kenner's planetarium & science museum (sponsored by Freeport McMoran), two fine dining establishments, and a cafe.
• Laketown -- A park built where Williams Boulevard hits Lake Pontchartrain. It features a boat launch, pier, pavilions, a jogging/biking path, and a concession stand and bait house.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Kenner is served by the Jefferson Parish Public School System.

Alfred Bonnabel High School is located on the border of Kenner and Metairie, Louisiana and serves most of Kenner, while Theodore Roosevelt Middle School (in Kenner), Adams Middle School, and Meisler Middle School take in students from around Kenner. There are many different elementary schools throughout the area.

External links

• Official City of Kenner Website
• Kenner Police Department Website
• Kenner News and Information
• Kenner Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association

[[