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Houma, Louisiana

Coordinates: 29°35′15″N 90°42′58″W / 29.58750°N 90.71611°W / 29.58750; -90.71611
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Houma
City
City of Houma
Terrebonne Parish Courthouse at Houma
Terrebonne Parish Courthouse at Houma
Location of Houma in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Houma in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.
Houma is located in Louisiana
Houma
Houma
Houma is located in the United States
Houma
Houma
Coordinates: 29°35′15″N 90°42′58″W / 29.58750°N 90.71611°W / 29.58750; -90.71611
Country United States
States Louisiana
ParishTerrebonne
Founded1834; 190 years ago (1834)
Incorporated1848; 176 years ago (1848)
Reincorporated1898; 126 years ago (1898)
County seatTerrebonne
Principal cityHouma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area
RegionAcadiana
South Louisiana
Government
 • TypeGovernment
 • BodyConsolidated City-Parish
 • Parish PresidentGordon Dove
Area
[1]
 • City14.56 sq mi (37.72 km2)
 • Land14.43 sq mi (37.36 km2)
 • Water0.14 sq mi (0.36 km2)
Population
 (2010)
 • City33,727
 • Estimate 
(2016)[2]
34,024
 • Density2,358.52/sq mi (910.63/km2)
 • Metro
208,178
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
70360, 70363-64
Area code985
Future Interstate
U.S. Highways
AirportHouma–Terrebonne Airport
RiversBayou Terrebonne Intracoastal Waterway
Websitewww.tpcg.org

Houma (/ˈhoʊmə/ HOH-mə)[3] is the largest city in the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana,[4] United States and the largest principal city of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's powers of government have been absorbed by the parish, which is now run by the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government. The population was 33,727 at the 2010 census, an increase of 1,334 over the 2000 tabulation of 32,393.[5]

Many unincorporated areas are adjacent to the city of Houma. The largest, Bayou Cane, is an urbanized area commonly referred to by locals as being part of Houma, but it is not included in the city's census counts, and is a separate census-designated place. If the populations of the urbanized census-designated places were included with that of the city of Houma, the total would exceed 60,000 residents. The city was named after the historic Native American tribe of Houma people, believed to be related to the Choctaw. The United Houma Nation Tribe is recognized by the state of Louisiana, but it has not achieved federal recognition.[6]

Houma was rated as an "Affordable" city by Demographia's 2013 International Housing Survey.[7]

History

Houma was colonized by European Americans in 1834 at a former settlement of the Houma people, who historically occupied this area. The city was named after them. The city was incorporated in 1848. [citation needed] The United Houma Nation and two other Houma tribes have been recognized by the state. Houma is rated as a medium-size city.

The area was developed for sugar cane plantations in the antebellum years. These were worked primarily by large numbers of enslaved African Americans, as sugar cane cultivation and processing was highly labor intensive. Plantations were sited along the rivers and bayous in order to have access to water transportation.

Civil War

In 1862, four Union soldiers en route by wagon from New Orleans to Houma were ambushed by several armed citizens. Two of the Union men were killed, and the other two were seriously wounded.

In retaliation, Union officers brought 400 troops into Houma, and began a wholesale arrest of residents. In his 1963 book, historian John D. Winters describes the following events:

The investigation of the murders lasted several days but failed to reveal the guilty parties. To frighten the citizens, the home of a Doctor Jennings was burned, two other houses were torn down, and the home and slave quarters of an outlying plantation were burned. The soldiers next began to seize sheep, cattle, mules, wagons, and saddle horses. Negroes began to desert their masters and to flock to the protection of the troops. The frightened citizens had no means of resistance, and many found it hard to stand by and see their country despoiled by a few hundred troops.[8]

Reconstruction to present

Sugar cane continued to be important after the war and into the 20th century. Skilled sugar cane workers struggled to organize under the Knights of Labor in the 1880s, seeking pay in cash rather than scrip and improved wages. The state helped planters suppress a major strike of 10,000 African-American workers in four sugar parishes in 1887. An estimated 50 were killed in November 1887 by local paramilitary whites in what is called the Thibodaux Massacre in Lafourche Parish, with hundreds more said to be wounded, dead or missing.

Geography

Houma is located at 29°35′15″N 90°42′58″W / 29.58750°N 90.71611°W / 29.58750; -90.71611 (29.587614, -90.716108)[9] and has an elevation of 10 feet (3.0 m).[10] BY SQ

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.2 square miles (37 km2), of which 14.0 square miles (36 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.92%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860429—
187059338.2%
18801,08482.8%
18901,28018.1%
19003,212150.9%
19105,02456.4%
19205,1602.7%
19306,53126.6%
19409,05238.6%
195011,50527.1%
196022,56196.1%
197030,92237.1%
198032,6025.4%
199030,495−6.5%
200032,3936.2%
201033,7274.1%
2016 (est.)34,024[2]0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
Two Bridges border a small marina. The water is a light brown and the sky is clear.
The "Twin Spans" bridges in downtown Houma serve as the main thoroughfare for crossing the Intracoastal Waterway

At the 2010 census,[12] there were 33,727 people, 10,634 households and 16,283 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,308.5 per square mile (891.4/km²). There were 12,514 housing units at an average density of 891.8 per square mile (344.4/km²). The racial make up of the city was 67.46% White, 20.62% Black, 5.45% Native American, 1.71% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.76% of the population.

2000 census

In 2000, there were 11,634 households of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.24.

27.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The median household income was $34,471 and the median family income was $40,679. Males had a median income of $35,897 and females $22,202. The per capita income was $17,720. About 16.4% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.7% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Terrebonne Parish School District operates public schools.

It is home to Louisiana's second-oldest high school, Terrebonne High School. [citation needed] Ellender Memorial High School and Vandebilt Catholic High School are also in Houma.

Southdown High School (originally Houma Colored High School) was constructed in the mid-20th century as a segregated school for black students, serving them exclusively from 1946 to 1969.[13] After that the school was integrated, following passage in 1964 of civil rights legislation.

Culture

Houma and the surrounding communities are steeped in the French and Cajun history of the region. Originally the region was settled by French and Spanish colonists who made their way south through Bayou Lafourche. In the late 18th century numerous Acadians (later known as Cajuns) settled in the region. The Acadians had been expelled by the British from Nova Scotia during the Seven Years War for their unwillingness to take a loyalty oath to the British King. The number expelled was about 15,000 in number, of which 3,000 settled in this region. Others went to France. As the French, Spanish, Acadians and Native American people mixed over the decades, a unique Cajun culture was born.

The swampland around Houma resulted in the area being quite isolated from the rest of Louisiana and the United States well into the 1930s, thus outside influences, such as radio and WWI patriotism, failed to inspire the Cajuns to become more "Americanized". The Cajun culture and use of French language in this region persevered much longer than in cities on the border of Cajun country, such as Lake Charles, Louisiana or Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Traditional Cajun culture in Houma includes the French language, Cajun cuisine, and celebration of Catholic festivals such as Mardi Gras. That folk culture remains evident today and attracts many tourists to the region.[14]

In the 1970s many South Vietnamese refugees emigrated following the Communist takeover of their region. They settled in Southern Louisiana to work as shrimpers, just as they had in Vietnam. A fairly significant portion of them settled in New Orleans, and many settled in Houma as well, in addition to elsewhere along the Gulf Coast. Many ethnic Vietnamese families still work at shrimping, as their families have for several decades.[15]

Downtown Houma has been designated as an historic district and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It offers a downtown walking tour and attractions such as the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum, the Folklife Culture Center, the Regional Military Museum, Southdown Plantation, the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, monuments to local armed forces, and local eateries.[16]

Although Houma is quickly changing, many residents in the surrounding communities continue to make their living from the Gulf as their ancestors did. They work as shrimpers, oystermen, crabbers, fishermen, and trappers, although more have shifted to work in occupations of the oil industry and ship building. As reported by records held by the United States Government Patent and Trademark Office, Houma, Louisiana was the site of the deepest oil well in Terrebonne Parish. [citation needed]

Tab Benoit's Voice of the Wetlands Music Festival, established in 2005, takes place in Houma, annually in October.[17]

Mass media

The local newspaper is The Courier, founded in 1878 as Le Courrier de Houma by the French-born Lafayette Bernard Filhucan Bazet. He first published it in four-page, half-French half-English editions. Sold to The New York Times Company in 1980, it is now part of GateHouse Media.[20]

The Houma Times is located in Houma. The newspaper is a weekly publication with a website updated daily. It serves the Terrebonne, Lafourche, and St. Mary parishes. In 2014, Houma-based Rushing Media merged with Guidry Group, Inc., which had owned the publication since its inception in 1997.[21]

The area's only local broadcast TV station, KFOL-CD, is located in Houma. KFOL, also known as HTV, produces a weeknight newscast, followed by local phone calls and guests. Other shows include Sportsman's Paradise and One on One. KFOL broadcasts in digital on channel 30.1. The statewide TV network LCN-TV produces original Louisiana programming which showcases Louisiana's entertainment, culture, talent and industry. LCN-TV is delivered to all media distributors. Debuted in 2007, LCN-TV continues to produce Louisiana TV shows for the U.S. [citation needed]

Transportation

Houma is served by Houma-Terrebonne Airport, located 3 miles southeast of the central business district.[22]

Good Earth Transit is Houma's parish bus system.[23] It has five major routes and serves the surrounding suburban areas, including the small bayou communities and the city of Thibodaux.[24]

Houma relies mainly on roads and personal vehicles as the main form of transportation. The major roads in Houma are:

  • US Route 90
  • LA HWY 311
  • Tunnel Blvd. (LA 3040)
  • LA 24 (locally called West Park Ave.(westbound) and Main St.(eastbound))
  • LA 182 (New Orleans Blvd.)
  • South and North Hollywood Rd.
  • St. Louis Canal Rd.
  • Savanne Rd.
  • Valhi Blvd.

Twin towns

Notable people

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild, sometimes warm winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Houma has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Climate data for Houma, Louisiana
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 88
(31) 		87
(31) 		90
(32) 		92
(33) 		99
(37) 		104
(40) 		102
(39) 		101
(38) 		100
(38) 		96
(36) 		91
(33) 		89
(32) 		104
(40)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 67
(19) 		68
(20) 		74
(23) 		80
(27) 		86
(30) 		91
(33) 		91
(33) 		91
(33) 		88
(31) 		81
(27) 		73
(23) 		67
(19) 		80
(27)
Daily mean °F (°C) 56
(13) 		57
(14) 		63
(17) 		69
(21) 		75
(24) 		80
(27) 		81
(27) 		81
(27) 		78
(26) 		69
(21) 		61
(16) 		56
(13) 		69
(21)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 45
(7) 		47
(8) 		53
(12) 		59
(15) 		64
(18) 		70
(21) 		72
(22) 		72
(22) 		69
(21) 		58
(14) 		50
(10) 		46
(8) 		59
(15)
Record low °F (°C) −12
(−24) 		−2
(−19) 		7
(−14) 		21
(−6) 		32
(0) 		40
(4) 		50
(10) 		48
(9) 		30
(−1) 		22
(−6) 		9
(−13) 		−4
(−20) 		−12
(−24)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.1
(100) 		4.3
(110) 		4.4
(110) 		4.2
(110) 		4.2
(110) 		6.2
(160) 		8.5
(220) 		7.2
(180) 		6.3
(160) 		3.9
(99) 		3.8
(97) 		4.8
(120) 		61.9
(1,576)
Source: [33]

References

  1. ^ "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jul 2, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  3. ^ A Pronouncing Dictionary of American English (Addenda); Webster's New Geographical Dictionary (1984).
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Houma (city), Louisiana". quickfacts.census.gov. Archived from the original on December 3, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ "United States" (PDF). 9th Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey: 2013 Ratings for Metropolitan Markets. Demographia. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  8. ^ John D. Winters, The Civil War in Louisiana, Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1963; ISBN 0-8071-0834-0, pp. 150-151
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  13. ^ Dishman, Jaime Lugibihl (2005-06-26). "Students of former Southdown High School gather for remembrance". Houma Today. Retrieved 2016-12-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ The Cajuns by Shane K. Bernard
  15. ^ Good Scent from a Strange Mountain by Robert Olen Butler
  16. ^ "Houma, Louisiana", Trip Advisor
  17. ^ Festival, Voice of the Wetlands website; accessed 25 February 2017
  18. ^ "The Skeleton Key (2005) : Filming Locations". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  19. ^ "Some scenes from The Butler shot in Houma, Louisiana", Daily Comet, 15 August 2013; accessed August 21, 2014.
  20. ^ "About the Courier", The Courier online edition (September 30. 2004); retrieved October 19, 2007.
  21. ^ "Rushing Media buys T-PT, Gumbo Entertainment Guide | News". Houmatimes.com. 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  22. ^ "Houma-Terrebonne Airport & Industrial Park | Airport Description". Houma-airport.com. Retrieved 2016-05-10.
  23. ^ "Public Transit". Tpcg.org. Retrieved 2016-05-10.
  24. ^ "Bus Schedule/Routes". Tpcg.org. Retrieved 2016-05-10.
  25. ^ "Terrebonne parish establishes sister city with China". HoumaToday.com. Retrieved 2013-10-06.
  26. ^ "Richie Cunningham profile". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  27. ^ "Skyler Green". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  28. ^ "Hal Haydel profile at". Baseball-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  29. ^ "Frank Douglas Lewis". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  30. ^ "Jay Leslie Pennison". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  31. ^ "Watkins to Watrous". Politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  32. ^ "Tramon Williams". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  33. ^ "Monthly Averages for Houma, LA". weatherbase.com. Retrieved 2017-11-29.

Bibliography

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