Editing Westwego, Louisiana

{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Westwego, Louisiana
| official_name                   = 
| native_name                     = 
| native_name_lang                = 
| other_name                      = 
| settlement_type                 = City
| image_flag                      = File:Westwego Flag.gif
| image_skyline                   = WestwegoEdMartinsHydrantMay2009.JPG
| imagesize                       = 
| image_alt                       = 
| image_caption                   = Ed Martin's
| image_seal                      = 
| etymology                       = 
| nickname                        = 
| motto                           = 
| anthem                          = 
| image_map                       = File:Jefferson Parish Louisiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Westwego Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                         = 
| map_alt                         = 
| map_caption                     = Location of Westwego in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
| image_map1                      = Louisiana in United States (US48).svg
| mapsize1                        = 
| map_alt1                        = 
| map_caption1                    = Location of Louisiana in the United States
| pushpin_map                     = 
| pushpin_label_position          = 
| pushpin_label                   = 
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| coordinates                     = {{coord|29|54|11|N|90|08|35|W|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint                   = 
| coordinates_footnotes           = <ref name=gnis/>
| grid_name                       = 
| grid_position                   = 
| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = United States
| subdivision_type1               = State
| subdivision_name1               = [[Louisiana]]
| subdivision_type2               = Parish
| subdivision_name2               = [[Jefferson Parish, Louisiana|Jefferson]]
| subdivision_type3               = 
| subdivision_name3               = 
| subdivision_type4               = 
| subdivision_name4               = 
| established_title               = Founded
| established_date                = 
| established_title1              = 
| established_date1               = 
| established_title2              = 
| established_date2               = 
| founder                         = 
| named_for                       = 
| government_footnotes            = 
| government_type                 = 
| governing_body                  = 
| leader_party                    = 
| leader_title                    = Mayor
| leader_name                     = Robert Billiot (R) <ref>Challenger Joe Peoples defeated incumbent Mayor John Shaddinger to win the city leadership post. Both are Democrats. [[U.S. Senator]] [[Mary Landrieu]].</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehayride.com/2014/09/landrieus-gop-endorsements-pale-in-comparison-to-2008-election/|title=Landrieu’s GOP Endorsements Pale In Comparison To 2008 Election|publisher=thehayride.com|access-date=September 12, 2014}}</ref>
| leader_title1                   = 
| leader_name1                    = 
| total_type                      = 
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_22.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2                  = 9.31
| area_total_sq_mi                = 3.60
| area_land_km2                   = 8.07
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 3.12
| area_water_km2                  = 1.24
| area_water_sq_mi                = 0.48
| area_water_percent              = 
| area_rank                       = 
| elevation_footnotes             = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft                    = 03
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes            = 
| population_total                = 8568
| population_rank                 = [[Jefferson Parish, Louisiana#Communities|JE]]: 4th
| population_density_km2          = 1061.65
| population_density_sq_mi        = 2749.68
| population_demonym              = 
| population_note                 = 
| timezone1                       = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset1                     = -6
| timezone1_DST                   = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST                 = -5
| postal_code_type                = ZIP code
| postal_code                     = 70094
| area_code                       = [[Area code 504|504]]
| iso_code                        = 
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 22-81165
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info                     = 2405721<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2405721}}</ref>
| blank2_name                     = 
| blank2_info                     = 
| blank2_name_sec2                = Wikimedia Commons
| website                         = {{URL|http://www.cityofwestwego.com}}
| footnotes                       = 
| image_blank_emblem              = Westwego LA wordmark.png
| blank_emblem_type               = Wordmark
}}

'''Westwego''' is a city in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Louisiana]], located in [[Jefferson Parish, Louisiana|Jefferson Parish]]. It is a suburban community of [[New Orleans]] in the [[New Orleans metropolitan area|Greater New Orleans metropolitan area]] and lies along the west bank of the [[Mississippi River]]. The population of the city of Westwego was 8,568 at the [[2020 United States census]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=QuickFacts: Westwego city, Louisiana|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/westwegocitylouisiana/POP010220|access-date=August 12, 2021|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

==Etymology==
One story states that Westwego was so named because it was a major crossing point on the Mississippi River during the great westward movement of the late 19th century. When travelers were asked their destination, they would often reply "west we go".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=How Westwego, Louisiana Got Its Unusual Name|url=https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-westwego-lousiana-got-its-unusual-name|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Condé Nast Traveler|language=en-US}}</ref>  Another more specific tale, recounted in [[John Churchill Chase]]'s ''Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children'' is that the name was the specific outcome of an 1871 meeting of a railroad board of directors in New York,<ref>Chase, J C: ''Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children and Other Streets of New Orleans'', page 171. Touchstone, 1979</ref> where planning was undertaken to use the site as an eastern terminus ("...west we go from there"). There has been further speculation that this use of "Westwego" as a place name may have been influenced by the board members' familiarity with the name of [[Oswego, New York]].

==History==

=== Early history and development ===
The area of Westwego, Louisiana was inhabited by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] for thousands of years before Europeans settled here.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Native American Tribes & the Indian History in Westwego, Louisiana – American Indian COC|url=https://americanindiancoc.org/native-american-tribes-the-indian-history-in-westwego-louisiana/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=americanindiancoc.org}}</ref> These indigenous people created huge shell middens that can still be seen in the vicinity today. The French first developed the area in 1719 when French minister of state [[Claude le Blanc]] started a plantation and a port along the Mississippi River.

The port became an important site in the history of the transatlantic slave trade. The estate was later owned by the Zeringue family, who turned it into bustling sugar plantation, known as Seven Oaks.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Matrana|first=Marc R.|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt2tv6w9|title=Lost Plantation: The Rise and Fall of Seven Oaks|date=2005|publisher=University Press of Mississippi|isbn=978-1-57806-900-2}}</ref> Planter Camille Zeringue built a canal at the plantation that played a prominent role in the community's history for decades. Other antebellum plantations in the area included the Whitehouse Plantation, Magnolia Lane, and the LaBranche Plantation among others.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Westwego's Sala Avenue in Jefferson Parish, LA|url=https://www.visitjeffersonparish.com/things-to-do/historic-districts/westwego-sala-avenue/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=www.visitjeffersonparish.com}}</ref> After Camille Zeringue's death, Seven Oaks was owned by Pablo Sala, who divided the property along the canal into lots, which he sold for $40 each. Many of these lots were purchased by displaced hurricane victims from Cheniere Caminada whose homes were destroyed in the great unnamed 1893 storm. With the addition of these families, who were mostly fisherman and trappers, the community of Salaville was born.<ref name=":0" />

Salaville grew and the local railroad barons coined the name "Westwego".  A number of industries grew around the city's wetlands and bayous, including those involving fisheries, shrimping, the canning of seafood, etc. Westwego was incorporated as a city in 1951 as its population continued to grow and grow.  Within the last decade,{{When|date=March 2011}} Westwego has taken on a number of historical restoration projects, inspired by historian Daniel P. Alario Sr.

=== Grain elevator explosion ===
On December 23, 1977, the Continental Grain Elevator in Westwego exploded. The explosion and resulting collapse of the elevator killed 36 people and injured at least 11 others. Most of the fatalities were caused by a concrete tower collapsing onto an office building, where workers were gathered for a Christmas party. The explosion is believed to have been caused by the [[Dust explosion|ignition of grain dust]]. The blast caused silos to fall and lean against each over in essentially a domino effect. The accident is the deadliest grain elevator accident in history. The Westwego accident, along with other explosions that occurred within the two-year period, led to new regulations for preventing dust explosions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/40-years-ago-today-continental-grain-elevator-explosion/289-501695152|title=40 years ago today: Continental Grain elevator explosion|work=WWL|access-date=2018-08-09|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gendisasters.com/louisiana/56/westwego,-la-grain-elevator-explosion,-dec-1977?page=0,0|title=Westwego, LA Grain Elevator Explosion, Dec 1977 {{!}} GenDisasters ... Genealogy in Tragedy, Disasters, Fires, Floods Page 1|website=www.gendisasters.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-09}}</ref>

== Geography ==
The city of Westwego is located in the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area and region.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|access-date=2011-04-23|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{Convert|3.6|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{Convert|3.1|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{Convert|0.5|sqmi|km2}}, or 10.64%, is water.<ref name="GR1" />

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1930= 3987
|1940= 4997
|1950= 8328
|1960= 9815
|1970= 11402
|1980= 12663
|1990= 11218
|2000= 10763
|2010= 8534
|2020= 8568
|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]
}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Westwego racial composition as of 2020<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=2020 Race and Population Totals|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US2281165&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-28|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 4,956
| 57.84%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 2,326
| 27.15%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 76
| 0.89%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 87
| 1.02%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 3
| 0.04%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 360
| 4.2%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 760
| 8.87%
|}
According to the [[2010 United States census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 8,534 people, 3,811 households, and 2,450 families residing in the city. By the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 8,568 people living in Westwego.<ref name=":1" />

Since 2010, there were 4,211 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.10. Among the population in 2020, there were 3,265 households.<ref name=":3" /> In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males at the 2010 census. By 2020, the median age increased to 38.9 years, reflecting the aging population of the city.<ref name=":3" />

In 2010, the racial makeup of the city was 78.16% [[White Americans|White]], 14.02% [[African Americans|Black and African American]], 2.94% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 1.58% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 1.01% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.40% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino Americans]] of any race were 4.59% of the population. Per the 2019 [[American Community Survey]], the population of Westwego was 58.4% [[Non-Hispanic whites|non-Hispanic white]], 26.7% Black and African American, 1.4% American Indian or Alaska Native, 4.4% Asian, 0.1% some other race, 1.5% two or more races, and 7.4% Hispanic and Latino American of any race.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2019 ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US2281165&tid=ACSDP5Y2019.DP05&hidePreview=true|access-date=2021-07-10|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Per the 2020 census, the racial and ethnic makeup was 57.84% non-Hispanic white, 27.15% Black or African American, 0.89% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.2% multiracial or some other race, and 8.87% Hispanic or Latino American of any race;<ref name=":2" /> the growth of the non-white population from 2010 to 2020 reflected state- and nationwide trends of diversification.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-12|title=Census shows US is diversifying, white population shrinking|url=https://apnews.com/article/census-2020-house-elections-4ee80e72846c151aa41a808b06d975ea|access-date=2022-02-13|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Frey|first=William H.|date=2020-07-01|title=The nation is diversifying even faster than predicted, according to new census data|url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/new-census-data-shows-the-nation-is-diversifying-even-faster-than-predicted/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Brookings|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2010, the median income for a household in the city was $27,218, and the median income for a family was $31,187. Males had a median income of $29,398 versus $18,916 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,160. About 17.9% of families and 22.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over. In 2019, the median income for a household in the city was $30,126. Males had a median income of $30,217 versus $43,022 for females.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Geography Profile: Westwego city, Louisiana|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2281165|access-date=2021-07-10|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> An estimated 28.3% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.

==Education==
The [[Public school (government funded)|public schools]] in Westwego are operated by the [[Jefferson Parish Public School System]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st22_la/schooldistrict_maps/c22051_jefferson/DC20SD_C22051.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jefferson Parish, LA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-03-02}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st22_la/schooldistrict_maps/c22051_jefferson/DC20SD_C22051_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

Elementary schools taking portions of Westwego include:<ref>"[http://www.cityofwestwego.com/images/WestwegoCouncilDistricts2008-07-07.pdf Map]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140519040228/http://www.cityofwestwego.com/images/WestwegoCouncilDistricts2008-07-07.pdf Archive]). City of Westwego. Retrieved on May 19, 2014. Compare this map to the school attendance zone maps.</ref><!--These maps are to be compared against other maps--><ref>"[http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st22_la/place/p2281165_westwego/DC10BLK_P2281165_000.pdf 2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Westwego city, LA]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140519041213/http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st22_la/place/p2281165_westwego/DC10BLK_P2281165_000.pdf Archive]). [[U.S. Census Bureau]]. Retrieved on May 19, 2014. Compare this map to the school attendance zone maps.</ref> Isaac G. Joseph Elementary School in Westwego, Gilbert PreK-8 school in [[Avondale, Louisiana|Avondale]], and Truman PreK-8 in [[Estelle, Louisiana|Estelle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://la50000440.schoolwires.net/cms/lib/LA50000440/Centricity/Domain/142/WB%20ELEM2324.pdf|title=Elementary School Districts 2023-24 West Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana|publisher=[[Jefferson Parish Public Schools]]|access-date=2024-03-02}}</ref> In 2020, Myrtle C. Thibodeaux and Vic A. Pitre Elementary Schools were consolidated into Joseph Elementary, on the site of Pitre, and named after the first [[African-American]] superintendent of the school district.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bartolotta|first=Devin|url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/jefferson/pitre-elementary-to-be-named-after-first-african-american-superintendent-of-jp-schools-isaac-g-joseph/289-ec1ca150-1fc8-4ee2-8ecf-69a9fe99356e|title=Pitre Elementary to be named after first African-American superintendent of JP schools: Isaac G. Joseph|publisher=[[WWL-TV]]|date=2020-03-05|access-date=2024-03-02}}</ref> Most middle school Westwego residents are zoned to Worley Middle School in Westwego, while some are zoned to Gilbert PreK-8 and Truman PreK-8.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://la50000440.schoolwires.net/cms/lib/LA50000440/Centricity/Domain/142/WB%20MIDDLE2324.pdf|title=Middle School Districts 2023-24 West Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana|publisher=[[Jefferson Parish Public Schools]]|access-date=2024-03-02}}</ref> Gilbert was known as [[Henry Ford]] Middle School until 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last=Broach|first=Drew|url=https://www.nola.com/news/education/jefferson-parish-is-renaming-two-public-schools-for-tom-benson-emmett-gilbert/article_000c8e07-4098-5187-86e2-5bc08b5b6759.html|title=Jefferson Parish is renaming two public schools for Tom Benson, Emmett Gilbert|newspaper=[[The Times Picayune]]|date=2019-05-25|access-date=2024-03-02}}</ref> High school residents are zoned to [[Higgins High School (Jefferson Parish, Louisiana)|Higgins High School]] in an [[unincorporated area]].<ref>"[http://jpschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/12-13-wb-high-dist.pdf High School Districts 2012-2013 West Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130905105429/http://jpschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/12-13-wb-high-dist.pdf Archive]). [[Jefferson Parish Public Schools]]. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.</ref>

Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic School is a [[Catholic school|private Catholic school]] (of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans]]) in the city.

[[Jefferson Parish Library]] operates the Edith S. Lawson Library in Westwego.<ref>"[http://www.jefferson.lib.la.us/branches/jplpage.westwego.html Edith S. Lawson Library in Westwego]." [[Jefferson Parish Library]]. Retrieved on September 28, 2010.</ref>

In 2020, Ray St. Pierre Academy moved into the Thibodaux facility.<ref name=Bartolotta2020cons>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/jefferson/jefferson-parish-school-consolidation-which-students-go-to-what-school-next-school-year/289-803f16bb-d660-4ba3-bdd6-dc91f0d83658|title=Jefferson Parish school consolidation: Which students go to what school next school year|publisher=[[WWL-TV]]|date=2020-03-04|access-date=2024-03-02}}</ref> Joshua Butler Elementary School, a public elementary school in Westwego, closed in 2023.<ref name=sixclose>{{cite web|last=Paterson|first=Blake|url=https://www.nola.com/news/jefferson-parish-school-board-votes-to-close-6-schools/article_3b0358f8-d411-11ed-81b4-ef1232a5b3fe.html|title=Jefferson Parish School Board votes to close schools, relocate students|newspaper=[[The Times Picayune]]|date=2023-04-05|access-date=2024-03-02}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[John Alario]], dean of the [[Louisiana State Legislature]]; State Senate President since 2012
* [[Sherman A. Bernard]] (1925-2012), [[Insurance commissioner|Louisiana insurance commissioner]] lived at the time of his election in 1972 in Westwego.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Sherman-Bernard&lc=7185&pid=157560483&mid=5101776&Affiliate=nola&PersonID=157561120&FHID=2622|title=In Memory of Sherman Bernard, Sr.|publisher=obits.dignitymemorial.com|access-date=June 16, 2013}}</ref>
*[[Robert Billiot]], member of the [[Louisiana House of Representatives]] for Jefferson Parish since 2008; former educator from Westwego<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.la.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=83|title=Robert E. Billiot|publisher=house.louisiana.gov|access-date=May 4, 2015}}</ref>
*[[Skyler Green]], reared in Westwego, professional football wide receiver and return specialist
*[[Ted Haggard]], former Evangelical preacher, lived there for a short while in 2007 after a gay prostitution scandal

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.cityofwestwego.com/ City of Westwego]

{{Jefferson Parish, Louisiana}}
{{Louisiana}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Westwego, Louisiana| ]]
[[Category:Cities in the New Orleans metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Dust explosions|Westwego grain elevator explosion]]
[[Category:Food processing disasters|Westwego grain elevator explosion]]
[[Category:Louisiana populated places on the Mississippi River]]