Golden Meadow, Louisiana

Golden Meadow is a town along Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,193 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its main source of revenue is from excessive speeding tickets, property tax, sales tax, and from the oil and gas industry. The fishing and seafood industries also have strong economic impacts, with charter fishing, restaurants, and lodging actively serving patrons. The town was once known as a speed trap, but it has since been bypassed by Hwy 3235 and city traffic has been reduced to mostly locals. As in other places in Louisiana, there is a noticeable presence of Cajun culture, music, and cuisine.

The Golden Meadow name was given by the original land grant owners, Benjamin and Louisa Hobbs Barker of Illinois. In 1839, they named it so because of the yellow flowers growing everywhere. They hoped to get rich selling lots to French and English settlers but abandoned the plan.

Geography

Golden Meadow is located at 29°23′17″N 90°16′10″W (29.388192, -90.269457).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²), of which 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) (15.92%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1960	3,097		—
1970	2,681		−13.4%
1980	2,282		−14.9%
1990	2,049		−10.2%
2000	2,193		7.0%
2010	2,101		−4.2%
2015 (est.)	2,060		−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,193 people, 821 households, and 583 families residing in the town. The population density was 903.0 people per square mile (348.4/km²). There were 934 housing units at an average density of 384.6 per square mile (148.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.52% White, 0.50% African American, 4.83% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.78% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.46% of the population.

There were 821 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town, the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,690, and the median income for a family was $36,944. Males had a median income of $32,969 versus $21,786 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,122. About 15.4% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.9% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Lafourche Parish Public Schools operates public schools:

• Golden Meadow Lower Elementary School
• Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School
• Golden Meadow Middle School

South Lafourche High School is in Galliano, north of Golden Meadow.

Francophone private schools were the first educational institutions serving the community. In 1917 the first public elementary school opened. Golden Meadow High School opened in 1933. It was consolidated with Larose-Cut Off High School to form South Lafourche High School in 1966.

Lafourche Parish Library operates the Golden Meadow Branch.

Notable person

• Dick Guidry, former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Lafourche Parish; graduated from Golden Meadow High School.