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Metairie, LA

Frequently asked questions

Metairie, LA

Metairie is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, and is part of the New Orleans metropolitan area. With a population of 143,507 in 2020, Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish and was (as of 2010) the fifth-largest CDP in the United States. It is an unincorporated area that (as of 2020) would have been Louisiana's fourth-largest city behind Shreveport if incorporated.

Métairie is the French term for a small tenant farm that pays the landlord a share of the produce, a practice also known as sharecropping (in French, métayage). In the 1760s many of the original French farmers were tenants; after the Civil War, the majority of the community's inhabitants were sharecroppers until urbanization started in the 1910s.

In the 1720s French settlers became the first Europeans to settle Metairie in the area known then as Tchoupitoulas and now as Metairie Ridge, a natural levee formed by an ancient branch of the Mississippi River, Bayou Metairie, which flowed through modern-day River Ridge, Metairie, Gentilly, and New Orleans East. It emptied into Mississippi Sound. The Acolapissa Native Americans used this ridge as a road; it is the oldest road in the New Orleans area. Paved in the 1920s, it is called Metairie Road. An electric streetcar was installed running along Metairie Road in the late 1910s, opening the area to greater development. Upscale housing tracts were constructed off the road in the 1920s; this area is now known as "Old Metairie". The areas to the north and northwest of Metairie Road were not developed until after World War II. The land between Metairie Ridge and Lake Pontchartrain, which was cypress swamps and marshlands, was drained with the Wood Pump. With the development of this new land for residences, Metairie's population grew in the 1940s as a result of cheaper land, lower taxes, and larger lots as compared to Orleans Parish.

Metairie is located in eastern Jefferson Parish and is bordered by New Orleans to the east, Kenner to the west, Lake Pontchartrain to the north, and the Illinois Central Railroad tracks to the south. South of the railroad are River Ridge, Harahan, Elmwood, and Jefferson. The 17th Street Canal forms the border between Metairie and New Orleans to the east. It is a principal community in Greater New Orleans. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Metairie CDP has a total area of 23.2 square miles (60.2 km²), of which 23.2 square miles (60.1 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²), or 0.18%, is water.

The city places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with several healthcare facilities catering to the well-being of the community. East Jefferson General Hospital and Ochsner Health Center offer comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Anytime Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Start your day with a rejuvenating yoga session at Romney Studios. For a high-energy workout, visit Planet Fitness, which provides 24/7 access to state-of-the-art equipment. Those seeking holistic wellness can explore Magnolia Physical Therapy for specialized physical therapy and wellness programs.

Top sites in Metairie, LA are La Salle Park, Jefferson Performing Arts Center, and Lafreniere Park.

Population: 138,995 (2023). ZIP codes: 70001–70006, 70009–70011, 70033, 70055, 70060. Area code: 504. Elevation: 3 feet. Area: 23.30 sq mi (60.35 km²).

FAQs

What is Metairie, LA is known for?

Metairie boasts many festivals such as Family Gras, an annual family-friendly festival held during Carnival, the Old Metairie Irish Festival, and the Bucktown Seafood Festival just to name a few! Metairie offers an array of fine dining venues, great shopping, and many family-friendly attractions. Legendary Louisiana musician Mahalia Jackson is buried at Providence Memorial Park in Metairie. Metairie is home to the training facility and corporate headquarters of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans.

What are the racial demographics of Metairie, LA?

Metairie, LA is home to a population of 140k people, of which 92.1% are citizens. As of 2022, 13.4% of Metairie, LA residents were born outside of the country (18.7k people). In 2022, there were 6.31 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (94.9k people) in Metairie, LA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 15.1k Black or African American (non-Hispanic) and 8.24k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the crime rate in Metairie, LA?

With a crime rate of 32 per one thousand residents, Metairie has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 31. Within Louisiana, more than 81% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Metairie.

Sources

Wikipedia

Jefferson Parish

Visit Jefferson

Data USA

Neighborhood Scout

La Salle Park

Jefferson Performing Arts Center

Lafreniere Park

East Jefferson General Hospital

Ochsner Health Center

Longue Vue House and Gardens

Anytime Fitness 

Romney Studios

Planet Fitness

Magnolia Physical Therapy

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.