Kenner, Louisiana
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Kenner is a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is the most populous city in Jefferson Parish, and is the largest incorporated suburban city of New Orleans. The population was 66,448 at the 2020 census, making it the sixth-most populous city in Louisiana.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
History
[edit]In 1855, Kenner was founded by Minor Kenner on land that consisted of three plantation properties Oakland, Belle Grove and Pasture that had been purchased by the Kenner family. At the time, all land north of what is now Airline Highway was swampland.Template:Citation needed
In Kenner on May 10, 1870, "Gypsy" Jem Mace defeated Tom Allen for the heavyweight championship of the bare-knuckle boxing era; a monument marks the spot near the river end of Williams Boulevard.
From 1915 to 1931, a New Orleans streetcar line operated between New Orleans and Kenner. The line ran between the intersection of Rampart and Canal in New Orleans and the intersection of Williams Blvd and Jefferson Hwy in Kenner.
Kenner's growth began in the late 1950s when developers began subdividing, draining and filling the swampland in the northern half of the city. During the 1960s, the construction of Interstate 10 and improvements to Veterans Memorial Highway aided the rapid development of Kenner as a suburb of New Orleans.
In 1982, Pan Am Flight 759 crashed in a residential area of Kenner when a microburst forced it down.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Eight people on the ground were killed, as were all 145 people aboard the aircraft. Six houses were completely destroyed and five more substantially damaged.
In October 2017, an explosion on the surface of an oil rig platform in Lake Pontchartrain north west of the Treasure Chest Casino injured seven people.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (0.7%) is water.
The city of Kenner is located on the west side of Greater New Orleans, in Jefferson Parish. Its boundaries are Lake Pontchartrain to the north, the Mississippi River to the south, the unincorporated areas of Metairie and River Ridge to the east, and St. Charles Parish to the west.
Demographics
[edit]| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref> | Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> | Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> | % 2000 | % 2010 | Template:Partial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 42,148 | 32,564 | 26,586 | 58.77% | 48.82% | 40.01% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 15,725 | 15,650 | 14,275 | 22.30% | 23.46% | 21.48% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 228 | 147 | 115 | 0.32% | 0.22% | 0.17% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 1,980 | 2,434 | 3,149 | 2.81% | 3.65% | 4.74% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 24 | 15 | 23 | 0.03% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 99 | 210 | 441 | 0.14% | 0.31% | 0.66% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 711 | 764 | 1,918 | 1.01% | 1.15% | 2.89% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9,602 | 14,918 | 19,941 | 13.62% | 22.37% | 30.01% |
| Total | 70,517 | 66,702 | 66,448 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
In 2013, there were 66,975 living in Kenner, down from 70,517 people in 2000.<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web,</ref> The population density was 4,486.0 people per square mile. There were 28,076 housing units. In 2000, there were 70,517 people, 25,652 households, and 18,469 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 27,378 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. At the 2020 U.S. census, the city's population declined to 66,448.<ref name=":0" />
During the 2019 American Community Survey, the racial and ethnic makeup of Kenner was 64.6% non-Hispanic white, 23.8% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3.7% Asian, 5.4% some other race, and 2.3% two or more races.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2013, the racial makeup of the city was 48.8% White, 34.7% African American, 12.1% Hispanic or Latino, 0.4% Native American, 3.7% Asian, 3.80% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. In 2000, the racial makeup of the city was 68.12% White, 22.55% African American, 0.40% Native American, 2.84% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.80% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. 13.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Reflecting the nationwide demographic shift in 2020,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 40.01% were non-Hispanic white, 21.48% Black or African American, 0.17% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.74% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.55% multiracial or some other race, and 30.01% Hispanic or Latino American of any race.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref>
In the Hispanic and Latin American population of Kenner, 12 of the city's tracts have Hispanic or Latino populations of 15% or more in 2010. By 2011, many businesses catering to Hispanics and Latin Americans had opened in Kenner. A portion of north Kenner is called "Little Honduras." Kenner's Hispanic Resource Center offers English as a second language classes and after school programs.<ref name="HispboomKENNER">"Hispanic population booms in Kenner and elsewhere in New Orleans area" (Archive). The Times-Picayune. June 15, 2011. Retrieved on September 7, 2015.</ref>
Economy
[edit]At one time L'Express Airlines had its headquarters in Kenner.<ref>"World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 27 – April 2, 1991. 99. "Head Office: 1919 Veterans Blvd., Suite 400 Kenner, LA 70062, USA:"</ref>
Arts and culture
[edit]Library and planetarium
[edit]
Jefferson Parish Library operates the North Kenner Library.<ref>"North Kenner Library." Jefferson Parish Library. Retrieved on September 29, 2010.</ref>
Places of interest
[edit]
The following are located in Kenner:
- A. J. Muss Bertolino Playground – Ed Daniels Field at Muss Bertolino Stadium is a 1,500-seat stadium that hosts high school football, lacrosse and soccer games. The stadium was also the home for the New Orleans Jesters professional soccer team. An athletics all-weather running track surrounds the field.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The playground also has a gymnasium, multiple baseball parks and a softball field.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Chateau Golf and Country Club.
- Coconut Beach Volleyball Complex – 22 court sand volleyball complex, and the largest man-made sand complex in the United States.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- The Esplanade Mall – Opened in 1983, as of 2023, all but abandoned. Plans are underway to redevelop the mall. Only a Target store and a Regal Cinema movie theatre remain open at the site..
- Laketown – A park built with a boat launch, two piers, pavilions, a jogging/biking path, and a concession stand and bait house.
- Pontchartrain Center – Opened in 1991, it is the second-largest convention center in the New Orleans metro area.
- Rivertown – The historic district with museums, shops, and cultural resources. Located there are the Rivertown Repertory Theatre, Kenner Heritage Park, Kenner Planetarium, and Rivertown Science Center.<ref>Ross, Bob. "Economy shutters Kenner's Toy Train Museum." New Orleans Time-Picayune. October 12, 2009. Retrieved on March 7, 2010.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Treasure Chest Casino.
Government
[edit]Template:See also The mayor of Kenner is Michael Glaser.
Kenner is represented in the Louisiana House of Representatives by the Republican attorney Debbie Villio. The state senator is Republican Kirk Talbot, a former state House member. Kenner is part of Louisiana's 1st Congressional district, presently represented in the U.S. House by Steve Scalise.
Education
[edit]Primary and secondary schools
[edit]Kenner is served by the Jefferson Parish Public School System.<ref>"Council District Map" (Archive). City of Kenner. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.</ref>
Kenner originally had one high school, Alfred Bonnabel High School, which is located on the border between Metairie and Kenner. Most areas in Kenner are zoned to this high school, while some areas in the southeast are zoned to East Jefferson High School in Metairie.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, a public charter school, was founded in 2013.<ref name="Giusti 2020 s632">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Parker 2020 p097">Template:Cite web</ref> It has an elementary campus in Metairie and secondary campuses in Kenner.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Previously, some areas were zoned to Grace King High School in Metairie.<ref>"High School Districts 2012-2013 East Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana." (Archive) Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.</ref> King closed in 2023.<ref name=FazioMarieLastDays>Template:Cite web</ref>
Theodore Roosevelt Middle School and Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy are the two middle schools in Kenner. In addition to Roosevelt and Kenner Discovery, middle schools serving sections of Kenner include Adams Middle and Harris Middle in Metairie, and Riverdale Middle in Jefferson.<ref>"Middle School Districts 2012-2013 East Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana" (Archive) Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.</ref>
Jefferson Parish public elementary schools include:<ref>"Elementary School Districts 2012-2013 East Bank of Jefferson Parish Louisiana" (Archive). Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.</ref>
- A.C. Alexander Elementary School
- John James Audubon Elementary School
- Chateau Estates Elementary School
- John Clancy Elementary School
- Greenlawn Terrace Elementary School
- Walter Schneckenberger Elementary School
- Granville T. Woods Elementary
In regards to the advanced studies academies, students are zoned to Airline Park Academy.<ref>"East Bank Advanced Studies Attendance Zones" (Archive). Jefferson Parish Public School System. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.</ref>
Washington Elementary School in Kenner closed in 2023.<ref name=sixclose>Template:Cite web</ref>
Private schools include:
- First Baptist Christian School
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans). The school, the parish school of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, opened in 1928. In 1951 an annex to the school opened. Another building with classrooms and a gymnasium was dedicated in 1956, and the current school building was dedicated in 1961. The Mercy Center, which houses school offices and a library, gymnasium, and a dedicated room for music classes, was dedicated in August 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans)
- Islamic School of Greater New Orleans (ISGNO)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Media
[edit]Template:See also The Kenner Star is Kenner's free monthly community newspaper.<ref>Kenner Star.</ref> Kenner is served primarily by New Orleans–based media outlets.
Infrastructure
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Transportation
[edit]Buses
[edit]Public transportation in the city is operated by the Jefferson Parish Department of Transit Administration which operates Jefferson Transit. Jefferson Transit provides service to points in Kenner, Metairie and New Orleans as well as other locations in incorporated and unincorporated Jefferson Parish.<ref>Jefferson Transit.</ref>
Roads
[edit]Kenner is served by Interstate 10, which travels east–west through the city. Traveling westbound from the city line there are exits at Power Blvd., LA 49 (Williams Blvd.)/32nd St. New Orleans Int'l Airport, and Loyola Dr.
In addition, the interstate, U.S. 61 (generally signed as Airline Dr.) travels east–west through the southern end of the city. LA 49 (signed as Williams Blvd) is the city's primary north–south corridor.
Airport
[edit]The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (IATA: MSY), the main commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area, is located within the city limits, just south of Interstate 10. It serves as a major tax-revenue generator for the city.
Health care
[edit]
- Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner – one of the major hospitals in the New Orleans metro area.
Notable people
[edit]- Jon Batiste, musician, has a song I'm from Kenner
- Aaron Broussard, former Jefferson Parish President, 2003-2010<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Chris Howard, NFL player
- Chris Kenner (1929–1976), R&B singer and songwriter<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Arthur Maulet, NFL player<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Edmond J. Muniz, former mayor of Kenner and captain of the Krewe of Endymion<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Lloyd Price, R&B vocalist known as "Mr. Personality"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
References
[edit]External links
[edit]Template:Kenner, Louisiana Template:Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Template:Louisiana