Kentwood, Louisiana

Kentwood is a rural town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States, near the Mississippi state line. The population was 2,198 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hammond Micropolitan Statistical Area. Kentwood is best known as the hometown of singer Britney Spears.

Kentwood, Louisiana
Town
Town of Kentwood
Kentwood residents observe a noontide Day of Prayer in front of the Town Hall in 2015
Motto(s): 
"Wonderful Water, Woodlands, and Wildlife" [1]
Location of Kentwood in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Coordinates: 30°56′10″N 90°30′55″W
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishTangipahoa
Founded1893
Government
 • MayorIrma Gordon (D)
Area
 • Total7.11 sq mi (18.42 km2)
 • Land7.11 sq mi (18.42 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
225 ft (69 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total2,198
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
2,436
 • Density342.62/sq mi (132.28/km2)
Time zoneUTC−06:00 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−05:00 (CDT)
Area code(s)985
FIPS code22-39545
WebsiteTown of Kentwood, Louisiana

History

This rural town was founded by Amos Kent in 1893.

On August 30, 2012, pressure on a dam on the Tangipahoa River to the north of the town as a result of Hurricane Isaac led to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal calling for a mandatory evacuation of the town due to fears of large-scale flooding from Lake Tangipahoa.[4] The evacuation order was later rescinded and the dam held.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.9 square miles (18 km2), of which 6.9 square miles (18 km2) is land and 0.14% is water.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19001,313—
19103,609174.9%
19203,059−15.2%
19301,726−43.6%
19401,8547.4%
19502,41730.4%
19602,6077.9%
19702,7364.9%
19802,667−2.5%
19902,468−7.5%
20002,205−10.7%
20102,198−0.3%
2019 (est.)2,436[3]10.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

At the 2000 census there were 2,205 people, 850 households, and 559 families in the town. The population density was 318.4 people per square mile (123.0/km2). There were 979 housing units at an average density of 141.4 per square mile (54.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 64.85% African American, 34.42% White, 0.09% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68%.[6]

Of the 850 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.6% were married couples living together, 28.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 29.9% of households were one person and 15.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.28.

The age distribution was 29.9% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.7 males.

The median household income was $17,297 and the median family income was $23,889. Males had a median income of $25,583 versus $15,200 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,171. About 29.5% of families and 37.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.2% of those under age 18 and 32.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Tangipahoa Parish School Board operates public schools:

  • Kentwood High Magnet School (7-12)
  • O. W. Dillon Memorial Elementary School (K-6)
  • Chesbrough Elementary (K-5)
  • Spring Creek Elementary (K-5)
  • Jewel M. Sumner Middle and High School

Notable people

See also

Camp Moore - a Confederate training base near Kentwood, now a museum.

References
  1. "Town of Kentwood, Louisiana". Town of Kentwood, Louisiana. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2013-12-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
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