Lafourche Parish is a southern Louisiana county with around 95,870 residents. It’s known for sugar cane farming, Cajun traditions, and picturesque bayous. However, not all parts of the parish share the same level of prosperity.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported a poverty rate of 14.6% in Lafourche Parish in 2021, surpassing the national average of 12.8%. Some neighborhoods within the parish experience even higher poverty rates, highlighting the economic and social difficulties faced by many inhabitants.
This article will delve into the five poorest neighborhoods in Lafourche Parish, based on median household income data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) spanning 2017-2021.
Raceland
Raceland, situated in Lafourche Parish, has a population of approximately 10,000 people. It’s positioned about 12 miles to the west of Thibodaux, which serves as the parish’s administrative center. The name “Raceland” stems from a racetrack that operated in the area during the late 19th century.
In terms of income, Raceland has the lowest median household earnings among all neighborhoods in Lafourche Parish, at $32,500 annually. This is less than half of the parish-wide median of $59,637, and just under 60% of the national median of $56,602. The poverty rate in Raceland is 28.9%, which is more than twice the averages for both the parish and the nation.
Based on data from the ACS, only 69.8% of Raceland residents aged 25 and older possess a high school diploma or higher. This compares to 80.9% in Lafourche Parish and 88.9% in the United States as a whole.
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Golden Meadow
Golden Meadow, situated in Lafourche Parish, is a town of approximately 2,000 residents. It’s positioned along Louisiana Highway 1, roughly 25 miles to the south of Thibodaux, and about 50 miles to the south of New Orleans. The town was established by French settlers in the late 1700s and gained official town status in 1928.
In terms of income, Golden Meadow has the second-lowest median household earnings in all of Lafourche Parish, amounting to $34,375 annually.
This constitutes roughly 58% of the parish’s median income and 61% of the national average. The poverty rate in Golden Meadow stands at 22.8%, which is higher than both the parish and national averages.
As per data from the ACS, only 71.9% of Golden Meadow residents who are 25 years and older possess a high school diploma or higher, contrasting with 80.9% in Lafourche Parish and 88.9% in the U.S.
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Cut Off
Cut Off is a community in Lafourche Parish with around 6,000 residents. It’s situated along Louisiana Highway 1, about 17 miles south of Thibodaux and approximately 42 miles south of New Orleans. The name “Cut Off” originates from a canal dug in the late 19th century, which reduced the distance between Bayou Lafourche and New Orleans.
In terms of income, Cut Off has the third-lowest median household earnings among Lafourche Parish neighborhoods, at $36,875 annually. This is roughly 62% of the parish median and 65% of the national median. The poverty rate in Cut Off is 18%, which is higher than both the parish and national averages.
Based on ACS data, only 73% of residents in Cut Off aged 25 and above possess a high school diploma or higher, compared to 80.9% in Lafourche Parish and 88.9% in the U.S.
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Galliano
Galliano, a community in Lafourche Parish, is home to around 7,000 people. It’s situated along Louisiana Highway 1, approximately 20 miles south of Thibodaux and 45 miles south of New Orleans. The town was named after a French settler who arrived there in the early 19th century.
In terms of income, Galliano ranks fourth-lowest among all neighborhoods in Lafourche Parish, with a median household income of $37,500 annually. This is roughly 63% of the parish average and 66% of the national average. The poverty rate in Galliano stands at 17%, which is higher than both the parish and national averages.
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Lockport
Lockport, situated in Lafourche Parish, is a town with approximately 2,500 residents. It lies along Bayou Lafourche, roughly 8 miles south of Thibodaux and about 30 miles south of New Orleans. Established by French settlers in the early 1800s, Lockport got its name from the locks constructed on the bayou to regulate water levels.
In terms of income, Lockport has the fifth-lowest median household earnings among Lafourche Parish neighborhoods, at $38,750 annually. This is approximately 65% of the parish’s median income and 68% of the national average. The poverty rate in Lockport stands at 16%, which is higher than both the parish and national averages.
Data from the American Community Survey reveals that only 75.4% of Lockport residents aged 25 and above possess a high school diploma or higher, in contrast to 80.9% in Lafourche Parish and 88.9% across the U.S.
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Conclusion
In this Article, we’ve delved into the five poorest neighborhoods in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. Our analysis is grounded in the median household income data from the ACS spanning from 2017 to 2021.
We aim to shed light on the economic and social hurdles confronting inhabitants in these areas and offer potential avenues to tackle these issues.
