New Roads, Louisiana
Encyclopedia : N : NE : NEW : New Roads, Louisiana
The city of New Roads is the parish seat of Pointe Coupee Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 4,966 (pre-Katrina) Post-Katrina the city had an estimate population of 5,167 as its above average real estate market attracted many evacuees.
Establishment
Chemin Neuf, the New Road, known as "Bayou Sara Road", was built in 1822.Today, New Roads is the commercial hub and seat of government of Pointe Coupee Parish. Many fine retail establishments, restaurants, four banks and modern health care facilities call New Roads home.
Pointe Coupee was home to Julian Poydras, who founded Poydras College on False River Drive, and Poydras High School on West Main Street. He owned two plantations in the Pointe Coupee area, endowed a trust fund for young brides without dowries which still exist today (as an educational fund), and was considered quite progressive in his attitudes toward slavery. Visitors will find his grave on the grounds of the old Poydras School on Main Street in New Roads. The building is now being restored by the Pointe Coupee Historical Society to be used as a cultural center and museum.
The poem "Maryland, My Maryland" was written in April 1861, on False River by James Randall. James Randall was an English Professor at the Poydras College. The poem was later put to music. The site is still known as Randall Oak, though the school was destroyed by fire. The poem is now Maryland's official state song.
Modern Attractions
New Roads hosts one of the largest and the oldest Mardi Gras celebration outside New Orleans every year. An estimated 50,000-70,000 people converge on the town for festivities, music, parades, and boating every Mardi Gras.Many historical Plantation sites line False River, including Parlange, Riverlake, Northbend, Mon Couer, Austerlitz, and many more.
Modern attractions include Satterfield's Riverwalk and Restaurant, St. Mary's Church, Poydras Museum, and beautiful views and boating on False River. Over the last decade, new upscale subdivisions and retail establishments have been built along False River Drive between the area known as "Millionare Rowe" near Oscar, Louisiana and New Roads.
Geography
New Roads is located at (30.696305, -91.438980)[Geographic references#1GR1].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.8 km² (4.6 mi²), all land.
At 35 feet above sea level, the city lies on a Mississippi Riverflood-plain but hs never during its existence been submerged. Partially thanks to the Railroad tracks at the north and east ends of the city, which lie upon an embankment known as the Patin Dyke.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 4,966 people, 1,818 households, and 1,243 families residing in the city. The population density was 421.4/km² (1,091.8/mi²). There were 2,044 housing units at an average density of 173.4/km² (449.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 38.99% White, 59.32% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.62% of the population.There were 1,818 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 23.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,583, and the median income for a family was $31,250. Males had a median income of $32,679 versus $20,547 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,840. About 23.6% of families and 30.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.3% of those under age 18 and 22.7% of those age 65 or over.
External links
References
- http://www.pcchamber.org/
- http://www.newroads.net/
- http://www.satterfields.com/
- http://www.pcatm.org/
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