Harahan, Louisiana

Harahan is a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana and suburb of New Orleans. The city of Harahan is located in Jefferson Parish; its population was 9,116 at the 2020 census.[4]

Harahan, Louisiana
City
City of Harahan
Welcome sign on Jefferson Highway
Welcome sign on Jefferson Highway
Official seal of Harahan, Louisiana
Seal
Location of Harahan in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Harahan in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Coordinates: 29°56′28″N 90°12′07″W[1]
Country United States
State Louisiana
ParishJefferson
Government
 • MayorTim Baudier (R)[2]
Area
[3]
 • Total2.49 sq mi (6.46 km2)
 • Land2.02 sq mi (5.23 km2)
 • Water0.48 sq mi (1.23 km2)
Elevation
[1]
7 ft (2 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total9,116
 • RankJE: 3rd
 • Density4,517.34/sq mi (1,743.95/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
70123
Area code504
FIPS code22-32930
Websitewww.cityofharahan.com

History

Harahan occupies land which was once part of the Soniat Plantation.[5] The area was historically known for ideal conditions to use as farming and raising cattle. In the late 1800s, part of the former plantation was used as an experimental farm operated by Southern University and A&M College.[6]

Non-agricultural development began in 1894, when the Illinois Central Railroad (now Canadian National) built a repair yard and roundhouse adjacent to the current city hall. In 1914, the Harahan Land Company, composed of ICRR officials, bought the Southern University tract of land and subdivided it. Residents included railroad workers, river workers and truck farmers. The village of Harahan was incorporated in 1920–named after James Theodore Harahan, the ICRR President.[7]

Prior to the Huey P. Long Bridge being built, Harahan was one of few points on the entire Mississippi River where railcars could cross. The Illinois Central and Southern Pacific Railroads maintained a ferry crossing between Harahan and Avondale to carry their railroad cars across the Mississippi River. To reach this ferry, the rail cars traveled up an incline that brought them over the river levee. The three largest barges in the world, the Mastodon, the Mammoth and El Grande once called Harahan home.[7]

In 1908, the Colonial Country Club was built and occupied the old Soniat Plantation home. By 1910, Wedell-Williams on the eastern edge of Harahan, had become the de facto New Orleans airport,[8] and aviation pioneer John Moisant died there in a plane accident while preparing for a competition.[9] Shortly thereafter, Harahan dedicated Moisant Park on Hickory Avenue in his honor. This park was later renamed Zeringue Park shortly after World War II.[10] Wedell-Williams operated commercial and military flights through the 1940s.

In 1930, the Huey P. Long Bridge was opened, increasing the importance of Harahan and by 1940, the population had risen to 1,082 citizens.[11]

During World War II, Camp Plauche was established on the current land occupied by Elmwood.[12] In addition to the camp, Freiburg Mahogany manufacturing began producing critical aircraft and boat components for the war effort. This activity spurred economic growth, particularly new homes; Harahan's population tripled during this period. This growth continued after the war.

By 1960, the population had grown to over 9,000. Numerous improvements were undertaken, including modernizing the police and fire departments, paving more streets and building a water treatment facility. Commercial activity was limited to Jefferson Highway and the northern end of Hickory. The 1970s and early 80s so rapid development of apartment construction on Hickory and areas of Elmwood. Completion of Earhart Expressway, making access to New Orleans proper much easier, influenced this growth as the appeal of Harahan as a “bedroom community.” Today, Harahan is directly influenced by its relationship with the larger surrounding areas including Jefferson Parish and the city of New Orleans.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1930892—
19401,08221.3%
19503,394213.7%
19609,275173.3%
197013,03740.6%
198011,384−12.7%
19909,927−12.8%
20009,885−0.4%
20109,277−6.2%
20209,116−1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

2020 census
Harahan city, Louisiana – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 9,415 8,468 7,421 95.25% 91.28% 81.41%
Black or African American alone (NH) 61 197 382 0.62% 2.12% 4.19%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 43 42 17 0.44% 0.45% 0.19%
Asian alone (NH) 34 93 110 0.34% 1.00% 1.21%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 3 3 1 0.03% 0.03% 0.01%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 6 13 16 0.06% 0.14% 0.18%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 80 56 352 0.81% 0.60% 3.86%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 243 405 817 2.46% 4.37% 8.96%
Total 9,885 9,277 9,116 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

The 2010 U.S. census tabulated a population of 9,277. At the 2000 U.S. census,[17] there were 9,885 people, 3,994 households, and 2,799 families residing in the city. In 2000, the population density was 5,023.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,939.6/km2). In 2019, there were 4,082 housing units. By the 2020 United States census, there were 9,116 people, 3,733 households, and 2,262 families residing in the city.

In 2000, there were 3,994 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males. In 2019, the American Community Survey estimated 3.4% of the population were under 5 years of age; 82.2% were aged 18 and older; and 20.6% were aged 65 and older. The median age was 44.2 and 90.9% of the population spoke only English at home.[18]

At the 2019 American Community Survey, the median income for a household was $66,741, up from $44,702 in 2000. The median earnings for full-time, year-round males was $46,996 versus $43,022 for females. The city had a poverty rate of 10.3%.[18]

In 2019, the racial and ethnic makeup of Harahan was 83.9% non-Hispanic white, 4.8% Black or African American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% multiracial, and 10% Hispanic or Latino American of any race.[18] A year later, the U.S. Census Bureau determined 81.41% of the population was non-Hispanic white, 4.19% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.04% multiracial or some other race, and 8.96% Hispanic or Latino American of any race.[14] In 2000, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 97.06% White, 0.62% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races; 2.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino American of any race. Against nationwide demographic trends since 2020,[19] Harahan has remained predominantly non-Hispanic white as non-White Americans migrate to other suburban communities surrounding New Orleans.

Arts and culture
Harahan Library

Jefferson Parish Library operates the Harahan Library.[20]

Parks and recreation

Harahan was home to Colonial Golf and Country Club. It hosted the 1954 New Orleans Women's Open.[21] It closed in early 2012.[22]

Education
Harahan School on Jefferson Highway

Harahan's public schools are operated by the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS).[23][24] The city is zoned to Mitchell J. Fontenot’s Harahan Elementary School (Harahan),[25] Riverdale Middle School (Jefferson),[26] and Riverdale High School (Jefferson).[27] In regards to the advanced studies academies, students are zoned to Airline Park Academy.[28]

In 2012, the Jefferson Parish campus of the International School of Louisiana (ISL) charter school opened in a leased JPPPS building on South Clearview Parkway in Elmwood. near Harahan.[29][30] The Jefferson Parish Public School board later arranged for the charter school to move from the Elmwood facility to the former Ralph J. Bunche Academy in Metairie.[30]

Private Schools in Harahan include St. Rita, a Catholic Elementary and Middle School, and Faith Lutheran, a K-12 Private Lutheran School.

Notable people

References
  1. "Harahan, Louisiana". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. June 4, 1980. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  2. "Election Returns: Jefferson Parish". Louisiana Secretary of State. November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  4. "QuickFacts: Harahan city, Louisiana". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  5. "1849 Kenner, Soniat, & Labarre". websitesneworleans.com. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  6. "Southern University: From New Orleans to Scotlandville (1880-1914)". CreoleGen. March 29, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  7. Deubler, Jeremy. "O-K Line: Harahan Barn & Ferry Crossing - Stop 3 of 4 in the O-K Rail Line, Kenner to New Orleans tour". New Orleans Historical. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  8. "Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Louisiana: Western New Orleans area". www.airfields-freeman.com. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  9. Times-Picayune, Doug MacCash, NOLA com |. "John Moisant, aviation pioneer, died a century ago in New Orleans". NOLA.com. Retrieved January 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. "City of Harahan". January 1, 2018.
  11. "Huey P. Long Bridge". www.asce.org. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  12. "NO_Camp_Plauche". old-new-orleans.com. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Harahan city, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau.
  15. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Harahan city, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau.
  16. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Harahan city, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. "Geography Profile: Harahan city, Louisiana". data.census.gov. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  19. "America is becoming more urban, more diverse and less white, 2020 Census reveals". PBS NewsHour. August 12, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  20. "Harahan Library." Jefferson Parish Library. Retrieved on September 29, 2010.
  21. "LPGA Tournament Chronology 1950-1959" (PDF). lpga.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 27, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  22. "On Colonial Country Club property in Harahan, owners seek six commercial lots". nola.com. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  23. "Garbage Collection Archived 2020-07-26 at the Wayback Machine." City of Harahan. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  24. "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Harahan city, LA" (Archive). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  25. "Elementary School Districts 2012-2013 East Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana Archived 2013-09-05 at the Wayback Machine" (Archive). Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  26. "Middle School Districts 2012-2013 East Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana Archived 2013-09-05 at the Wayback Machine" (Archive) Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  27. "High School Districts 2012-2013 East Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana Archived 2013-09-05 at the Wayback Machine." (Archive) Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  28. "East Bank Advanced Studies Attendance Zones Archived 2013-09-05 at the Wayback Machine" (Archive). Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  29. Tan, Sarah. "The International School of Louisiana opens in Harahan." Times Picayune. November 23, 2012. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  30. "Jefferson Parish" (Archive) International School of Louisiana. December 18, 2012. Retrieved on May 18, 2014. "822 S. Clearview Parkway Harahan, LA 70123 (Located in Elmwood)"
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