Destrehan, Louisiana

Destrehan is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 11,535 at the 2010 census, an increase of 275 over the 2000 tabulation of 11,260.

Destrehan
Census-designated place
Destrehan Plantation est.1780–1790
Destrehan
Location of Destrehan in Louisiana
Coordinates: 29°57′44″N 90°22′09″W
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishSt. Charles
Area
 • Total7.9 sq mi (20 km2)
 • Land6.9 sq mi (18 km2)
 • Water1.0 sq mi (3 km2)
Elevation
10 ft (3 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total11,535
 • Density1,500/sq mi (560/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s)985

The community is named after Jean Noël Destréhan (1754–1823), who was twice President of the Orleans Territory's legislative council during his service there in 1806 and 1811. He was elected to the United States Senate when Louisiana became a state in 1812, but he resigned after a month. He served in the Louisiana State Senate from 1812 to 1817.[1]

Destrehan Plantation, his former home, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The main house has been restored and is one of the attractions on the Great River Road along the Mississippi River.

History

George Prince tragedy
Main article: MV George Prince ferry disaster

Before the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge was completed connecting the communities of Destrehan and Luling, automobile ferries connected the towns. On October 20, 1976, one of these ferries, the George Prince, was struck by a tanker and capsized as it crossed the Mississippi River resulting in the MV George Prince ferry disaster. Seventy-eight passengers and crew died.

Gary Tyler case

Destrehan was briefly notorious in 1974 for the case of Gary Tyler, a 17 year old black student who was accused by local officials of the murder of 13 year old white student and the wounding of another, on a day of violent protests by white students at Destrehan High School. Many observers believe his conviction and trial were unfair and flawed. He was convicted and sentenced to prison. He was released from prison in 2016.[2]

Geography

Destrehan is located at 29°57′44″N 90°22′9″W (29.962307, -90.369160).[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20 km2), of which 6.9 square miles (18 km2) are land and 1.0-square-mile (2.6 km2) (12.41%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 11,260 people, 3,629 households, and 3,073 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,628.7 people per square mile (629.2/km2). There were 3,742 housing units at an average density of 541.3 per square mile (209.1/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.6% White, 12.8% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.81% of the population.

There were 3,629 households, out of which 52.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.9% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.3% were non-families. 12.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 32.4% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $63,425, and the median income for a family was $68,870. Males had a median income of $49,839 versus $27,605 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $25,435. About 4.0% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Destrehan High School

St. Charles Parish Public School System operates public schools:

  • Destrehan High School (9–12)
  • Harry M. Hurst Middle School (Formerly 7–8 & presently 6–8)
  • Ethel Schoeffner Elementary School (Formerly 4–6 & presently 3–5)
  • New Sarpy Elementary School (Formerly PK–3 & presently PK–2)

Destrehan Plantation was used as a set in the film 12 Years a Slave (2013).[5]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Dictionary of La. Biography". Archived from the original on 2016-09-25. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  2. Bob Herbert, "Gary Tyler’s Lost Decades", The New York Times, 5 February 2007
  3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. Scott, Mike (September 9, 2013). "Following in the real footsteps of '12 Years a Slave' figure Solomon Northup: Mike's Movie Mailbag". The Times-Picayune. Advance Publications. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
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