Metairie, in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, is a diverse community with around 143,507 residents in 2020. It’s part of the New Orleans metropolitan area and boasts attractions like Lakeside Shopping Center, Lafreniere Park, and Longue Vue House and Gardens.
But, not all parts of Metairie share equal prosperity and quality of life. Some neighborhoods face higher poverty, unemployment, crime, and lower educational attainment. In this article, we’ll delve into the five poorest Metairie neighborhoods using median household income data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Pontchartrain Shores
This area is in the northeastern part of Metairie, near Lake Pontchartrain. The average household income here is $36,250, which is 45% lower than the Metairie average of $66,074. About 19.9% of the people in this area live in poverty, which is higher than the national average of 12.8%.
In Pontchartrain Shores, there are 2,275 residents with a median age of 48.6 years. Most of the people are white (82%), followed by black (9%) and Hispanic (7%). The crime rate in this neighborhood is 42% higher than the average in Louisiana and 58% higher than the national average.
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Bissonet Plaza
This neighborhood is situated in the western part of Metairie, close to the junction of Interstate 10 and Veterans Memorial Boulevard. The average household income here is $38,750, which is 41% below the Metairie average. The poverty rate in this area stands at 17.3%, surpassing the national average.
With a population of 6,715 individuals, the neighborhood has a median age of 37.8 years. The majority of residents are white (64%), followed by black (23%) and Hispanic (10%). When it comes to safety, the crime rate in Bissonet Plaza is 36% higher than the Louisiana average and 51% higher than the national average.
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Bridgedale
This neighborhood, situated in central Metairie near the Airline Drive and Clearview Parkway intersection, has a median household income of $40,833, which is 38% below the Metairie average. The poverty rate in this area stands at 16%, surpassing the national average.
With a population of 7,304 and a median age of 40.9 years, Bridgedale is predominantly composed of white residents (76%), followed by black (12%) and Hispanic (9%) residents. In terms of safety, Bridgedale’s crime rate is 34% higher than the Louisiana average and 49% higher than the national average.
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Airline Park
This area is situated in the southern part of Metairie, close to the New Orleans International Airport. The average household income here is $41,667, which is 37% lower than the Metairie average. The poverty rate is 15%, which is higher than the national average.
In terms of population, there are 14,494 people living in this neighborhood, with a median age of 39.1 years. The majority of residents are white (67%), followed by black (18%) and Hispanic (11%). When it comes to crime, Airline Park has a rate that is 32% higher than the Louisiana average and 47% higher than the national average.
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Bucktown
This area in the eastern part of Metairie sits by Lake Pontchartrain. The typical household income is $42,500, which is 36% below Metairie’s average. The poverty rate is 14%, higher than the national average.
Around 3,685 people call this neighborhood home, with a median age of 44.6 years. Most residents are white (85%), followed by Hispanic (8%) and black (4%). Crime in Bucktown is 30% above the Louisiana average and 45% higher than the national average.
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Conclusion
These are some of the poorest neighborhoods in Metairie, Louisiana. They deal with various difficulties like limited earnings, widespread poverty, minimal education, and elevated crime rates. Nevertheless, they also possess positive aspects such as diverse cultures, a strong sense of community, and historical importance.
These neighborhoods warrant increased focus and assistance from both local and state officials, as well as from private and non-profit organizations, in order to enhance their quality of life and potential.
