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Thibodaux, LA

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Thibodaux, LA

Thibodaux is a city in, and the parish seat of, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States, along the banks of Bayou Lafourche in the northwestern part of the parish. The population was 15,948 at the 2020 census. Thibodaux is a principal city of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux metropolitan statistical area. Thibodaux is nicknamed the Queen City of Lafourche.

The first documented Native American inhabitants of the Thibodaux area were the Chawasha, a small tribe related to the Chitimacha of the upper Bayou Lafourche. The first settlers of European descent in this area arrived in the 18th century when Louisiana was the Spanish province of Louisiana. They consisted of French nationals and Louisiana-born French and German Creoles, followed shortly by Spanish and French Acadian immigrants. The colonists gradually began to import Africans in bondage as slaves to work on and develop rice and sugar cane plantations.

The United States acquired Louisiana from France in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase, after Napoleon, then First Consul, decided to sell France's North American possessions due to the failure to regain control of Saint-Domingue (which became the Republic of Haiti) and the impending threat of war with Great Britain. The present State of Louisiana became the U.S. Territory of Orleans, and in 1805 the Territorial Legislature created ten counties, among them the County of Lafourche (later Lafourche Parish). Americans from other states then began to settle in the area.

As early as 1808, a trading post and small village, known as "Thibodeauxville," had been established on the west bank of Bayou Lafourche, due to its strategic location near the confluence of Bayou Lafourche and Bayou Terrebonne. By the 1820s, the village had grown to a local center of the sugar cane industry. This settlement was formally incorporated as a town in 1830 under the name "Thibodauxville", in honor of local planter Henry Schuyler Thibodaux, the son of Acadian exiles. He had provided the land for the original village center and, as lieutenant governor, assumed the office of acting governor of the State of Louisiana in 1824. The area was developed in the antebellum period for sugar cane plantations, and Thibodaux was the trading center of the region. Sugar cane was an important commodity crop. The name of the town was shortened to "Thibodeaux" in 1838. The current spelling of the city's name, "Thibodaux," was officially adopted in 1900.

In January 1844, the prominent statesman and U.S. Senator Henry Clay, the "Great Compromiser," visited Thibodaux for several days as part of his campaign for the U.S. Presidency. A residential lane along the canal connecting Bayou Lafourche to Bayou Terrebonne was later named in his honor.

Confederate General Braxton Bragg, the victor at Chickamauga, and his wife had a plantation, "Bivouac," just north of Thibodaux and attended services at St. John's Episcopal Church on Jackson Street, founded by Bishop Leonidas Polk, the owner of "Leighton" plantation and later a Confederate lieutenant general killed in action. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.47 square miles (14.2 km²), all land.

Thibodaux's commitment to health and wellness is evident through various initiatives and facilities catering to residents' well-being. Thibodaux Regional Health System offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Planet Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Thibodaux Regional Fitness Center provides state-of-the-art gym equipment and diverse fitness classes. The Bayou Country Sports Park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts with its walking trails, sports fields, and playgrounds. For a unique fitness experience, Bayou Barre offers barre workouts combining ballet, Pilates, and yoga. If you're looking to unwind, Massage Envy in Thibodaux delivers professional massage and skincare services. Planet Beach provides automated spa services, including tanning, massage, and hydration treatments. Yoga enthusiasts can join Yoga Studio 90 for various yoga classes catering to all skill levels.

The top sites in Thibodaux, LA are the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, Bayou Country Children's Museum, and Laurel Valley Village Store.

Population: 14,567 (2021 census). Elevation: 10 feet. ZIP Code: 70301. Area code: 985. Area: 5.78 square miles.

FAQs

What are the demographics of Thibodaux, LA?

Thibodaux, LA is home to a population of 15.7k people, of which 98.7% are citizens. As of 2022, 2.32% of Thibodaux, LA residents were born outside of the country (365 people). In 2022, there were 2.29 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (9.79k people) in Thibodaux, LA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.27k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 460 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the history of Thibodaux, LA?

Founded on Bayou Lafourche, Thibodaux was a trading post between New Orleans and the Bayou Teche country in the late 1700s. In 1808, once the Louisiana Purchase was completed, the community became the parish seat of Lafourche Interior. Thibodaux was named for Henry Schuyler Thibodaux who was one of the early settlers. His property was divided up into lots to be sold. It was originally incorporated in 1830 as Thibodeauxville but the name was changed in 1838 by Governor E. D. White, a resident of Thibodeaux.

What is the crime rate in Thibodaux, LA?

With a crime rate of 34 per one thousand residents, Thibodaux 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 29. Within Louisiana, more than 83% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Thibodaux.

Sources

City of Thibodaux

Bayou Lafourche

Wikipedia

Neighborhood Scout

Thibodaux Chamber

Data USA

Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center

Bayou Country Children's Museum

Laurel Valley Village Store

Thibodaux Regional Health System

Planet Fitness

Thibodaux Regional Fitness Center

Bayou Country Sports Park

Bayou Barre

Massage Envy

Planet Beach

Yoga Studio 90

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