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Zachary, LA

Frequently asked questions

Zachary, LA

Zachary is a city in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies 16 miles (26 km) north of the city of Baton Rouge, and had a population of 14,960 at the 2010 census, up from 11,275 in 2000. At the 2020 census, Zachary's population increased to 19,316.

Much of the land that the city now occupies was part of a 160-acre (65 ha) farm owned by Darel Zachary (1827-1907). In the 1880s, Zachary sold his land to the Illinois Central Railroad, who built a track and a depot on it. A village quickly grew up around the depot, which came to be called "Zachary" after the original farmer. Zachary's first post office was opened in 1885, and it was incorporated as a city on August 2, 1889, with Thomas Edward McHugh as its first mayor. A fire devastated the city in 1903, supposedly caused by a greengrocer trying to flame-ripen his bananas. The "historic village" at the center of the city is composed of buildings that either survived the fire or were built shortly after it, the oldest (excluding the depot) being the 1898 Allison House. The first census was carried out in 1914 and reported just 419 residents. In 1966 Zachary became the first city in Louisiana since the Reconstruction Era to elect a Republican as mayor, Jack Louis Breaux. 

Zachary is located in northern East Baton Rouge Parish. It is bordered to the north by the city of Slaughter, to the east by Central, and the south by Baker. Louisiana Highway 19 passes through the city, leading north 5 miles (8 km) to the center of Slaughter and south 9 miles (14 km) to U.S. Route 61 in the northern part of Baton Rouge.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Zachary has a total area of 24.0 square miles (62.1 km²), of which 23.9 square miles (62.0 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²), or 0.13%, is water.

Zachary places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Lane Regional Medical Center offers 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. For those seeking fitness and recreational activities, the Zachary Community Park is a prime destination with walking trails, a playground, and sports facilities. For a comprehensive fitness experience, Planet Fitness provides 24/7 access to state-of-the-art equipment and personal training services. Yoga enthusiasts can find their zen at Yoga Path, which offers a range of yoga classes suitable for all levels. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Fennwood Hills Country Club offers golf and other recreational activities. Snap Fitness is another excellent option for those seeking a convenient and supportive fitness environment.

Top sites in Zachary, LA are Port Hudson State Historic Site, Copper Mill Golf Club, and Zachary Youth Park.

Population: 20,370 (2024). ZIP code: 70791.  Area code: 225. Elevation: 102 ft (31 m)  Area: Approximately 24.7 square miles.

FAQs

What are the demographics of Zachary, LA?

Zachary is a city located in East Baton Rouge Parish and East Feliciana Parish Louisiana. Zachary has a 2024 population of 20,371. Zachary is currently growing at a rate of 1.13% annually and its population has increased by 4.68% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 19,461 in 2020. According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Zachary was: Black or African American: 48.93%, White: 46.67%, Two or more races: 2.31%, Asian: 1.9%, Other race: 0.16%, Native American: 0.02%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%.

How did Zachary, LA get its name?

In the 1880s, Zachary sold his land to the Illinois Central Railroad, who built a track and a depot on it.  A village quickly grew up around the depot, which came to be called "Zachary" after the original farmer. Zachary's first post office was opened in 1885, and it was incorporated as a city on August 2, 1889, with Thomas Edward McHugh as its first mayor.

What is the crime rate in Zachary, LA?

The crime rate in Zachary is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 23 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Zachary is 1 in 43. Based on FBI crime data, Zachary is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Louisiana, Zachary has a crime rate that is higher than 70% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Zachary

World Population Review

Neighborhood Scout

Port Hudson State Historic Site

Copper Mill Golf Club

Zachary Youth Park

Lane Regional Medical Center

Anytime Fitness

Zachary Community Park 

Planet Fitness

Yoga Path

Fennwood Hills Country Club

Snap Fitness

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