Waggaman, Louisiana

Waggaman
Census-designated place
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	Jefferson
Coordinates	29°55′47″N 90°13′48″W
Area	6.6 sq mi (17.1 km2)
- land	5.6 sq mi (15 km2)
- water	1.0 sq mi (3 km2), 15.15%
Population	9,435 (2000)
Density	1,690.2 / sq mi (652.6 / km2)
Timezone	CST (UTC-6)
- summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
Area code	504
Location of Waggaman in Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States

Waggaman is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. Waggaman is on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, within the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 9,435 at the 2000 census. The area was named for U.S. Senator George Augustus Waggaman (1782–1843).

History

George Augustus Waggaman settled in the area with his wife, Camille Arnoult, who inherited a large tract of land there. The two built a considerable plantation which they named Avondale, which later succumbed to the Mississippi River in 1892. Today the Avondale area, also an unincorporated community and which abuts Waggaman, is home to Avondale Shipyards, one of the largest employers in Jefferson Parish.

Geography

Waggaman is located at 29°55′47″N 90°13′48″W (29.929856, -90.230053).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17 km²), of which, 5.6 square miles (15 km²) of it is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km²) of it (14.94%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,435 people, 2,999 households, and 2,483 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,690.2 people per square mile (652.8/km²). There were 3,096 housing units at an average density of 554.6 per square mile (214.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 41.92% White, 54.44% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.15% of the population.

There were 2,999 households out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.2% were non-families. 14.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.45.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $33,084, and the median income for a family was $34,639. Males had a median income of $30,957 versus $19,477 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $12,078. About 15.1% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 21.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Norbert Rillieux Elementary School

Jefferson Parish Public School System serves Waggaman.

Most residents are zoned to Nortbert Rillieux Elementary School in Waggaman, while some are zoned to Cherbonnier Elementary School in Waggaman. All residents are zoned to Henry Ford Middle School in Avondale and Higgins High School in Marrero.

Jefferson Parish Library operates the Live Oak Library in Waggaman. The library, located adjacent to Thomas Jefferson Park, opened in 1989. It is designed to appear similar to an Acadian style cottage.