LaPlace, Louisiana

LaPlace (sometimes spelled La Place or Laplace) is a suburb of New Orleans and a census-designated place in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, on the East Bank of the Mississippi River. The population was 27,684 at the 2000 census.

It is the southern terminus of Interstate 55, where it joins with Interstate 10, and of US 51, where it terminates at the junction with US 61. LaPlace is located 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of New Orleans.

History

LaPlace was settled as a farming village in the 18th century during Louisiana's French colonial era. It was named after early settler Basile LaPlace.

The city's railroad station was established in 1883.

LaPlace was the birthplace of early jazz musicians Kid Ory and Wellman Braud.

LaPlace has been designated "Andouille Capital of the World." An Andouille Festival is held every year in October.

Geography

Laplace is located at 30°4′30″N 90°29′6″W (30.075025, -90.484896)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 58.8 km² (22.7 mi²). 55.7 km² (21.5 mi²) of it is land and 3.1 km² (1.2 mi²) of it (5.29%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 27,684 people, 9,171 households, and 7,336 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 497.2/km² (1,287.8/mi²). There were 9,888 housing units at an average density of 177.6/km² (460.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 61.06% White, 35.62% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.69% of the population.

Junction of Louisiana Highway 3188, known as Belle Terre Boulevard at Airline Highway in Laplace

There were 9,171 households out of which 44.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.4% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.0% were non-families. 16.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 31.2% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,103, and the median income for a family was $50,024. Males had a median income of $39,304 versus $23,277 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,090. About 9.9% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.

LaPlace Today

LaPlace is developing quickly. The exodus from the greater New Orleans area to the outlying suburbs has greatly aided LaPlace's building industry, both commercial and residential. LaPlace is an especially attractive commuter town, as it is situated about 30 miles from New Orleans. New residential developments feature homes that are larger and more expensive than previously available. Moreover, LaPlace's commercial infrastructure continues to grow, with businesses being attracted by LaPlace's increasingly affluent population and displaced evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately, LaPlace's growth may have came a shock to most people, beings LaPlace is overdoing itself to become a rather large city. With subdivisions bordering its fairways, restaurants built in parts of what were recently parking lots, and new attractions being built.

The Port of South Louisiana maintains its headquarters in LaPlace.

Other information

The ZIP code of LaPlace is 70068.