Houma, Louisiana

City of Houma
City
Terrebonne Parish Courthouse, Houma
Country United States
State Louisiana
Parish Terrebonne
Elevation 10 ft (3 m)
Coordinates 29°35′15″N 90°42′58″W / 29.58750°N 90.71611°W / 29.58750; -90.71611Coordinates: 29°35′15″N 90°42′58″W / 29.58750°N 90.71611°W / 29.58750; -90.71611
Area 14.2 sq mi (36.8 km2)
 - land 14.0 sq mi (36 km2)
 - water 0.2 sq mi (1 km2), 1.41%
Population 33,727 (2010)
Density 2,375.1 / sq mi (917 / km2)
Founded 1834
 - Incorporated 1848
 - Re-Incorporated 1898
Government Consolidated City-Parish
Parish President Michel Claudet
Timezone CST (UTC-6)
 - summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 70360, 70363-64
Area code 985
Location of Houma in Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Website: http://www.tpcg.org

Houma /ˈhoʊmə/[1] is the only city in and the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana,[2] and the largest principal city of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's powers of government have been absorbed by the parish, which is now run by the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government. The population was 33,727 at the 2010 census, an increase of 1,334 over the 2000 tabulation of 32,393. [3]

Many unincorporated areas are adjacent to the city of Houma; the largest, Bayou Cane, is an urbanized area commonly referred to by locals as being part of Houma. It is not included in the city's census counts, and is a separate census-designated place. If the populations of the urbanized census-designated places were included with that of the city of Houma, the total would exceed 60,000 residents. The city was named after the historic Native American tribe of Houma people, believed to be related to the Choctaw. The United Houma Nation Tribe is recognized by the state of Louisiana, although it has not achieved federal recognition.[4]

Houma was rated as an "Affordable" city by Demographia's International Housing Survey.[5]

History

Houma was founded by European Americans in 1834 at a former settlement of the Houma people, who historically occupied this area. The city was named after them. The city of Houma was incorporated in 1848. The United Houma Nation and two other Houma tribes have been recognized by the state. Houma is also rated as a medium size city.

The area was developed for plantations in the antebellum years, which were worked primarily by enslaved African Americans.

Since the late 19th century, the area has become more industrialized and developed for trade.

Civil War

In 1862, four Union soldiers en route by wagon from New Orleans to Houma were ambushed by several armed citizens. Two of the Union men were killed, and the other two were seriously wounded.

In retaliation, Union officers brought 400 troops into Houma, where they began a wholesale arrest of residents. In his 1963 book, the historian John D. Winters describes the events:

"The investigation of the murders lasted several days but failed to reveal the guilty parties. To frighten the citizens, the home of a Doctor Jennings was burned, two other houses were torn down, and the home and slave quarters of an outlying plantation were burned. The soldiers next began to seize sheep, cattle, mules, wagons, and saddle horses. Negroes began to desert their masters and to flock to the protection of the troops. The frightened citizens had no means of resistance, and many found it hard to stand by and see their country despoiled by a few hundred troops."[6]

Geography

Houma is located at 29°35′15″N 90°42′58″W / 29.58750°N 90.71611°W / 29.58750; -90.71611 (29.587614, -90.716108)[7] and has an elevation of 10 feet (3.0 m).[8] BY SQ

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.2 square miles (37 km2), of which 14.0 square miles (36 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.92%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860429—
187059338.2%
18801,08482.8%
18901,28018.1%
19003,212150.9%
19105,02456.4%
19205,1602.7%
19306,53126.6%
19409,05238.6%
195011,50527.1%
196022,56196.1%
197030,92237.1%
198032,6025.4%
199030,495−6.5%
200032,3936.2%
201033,7274.1%
Est. 201434,124[9]1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 33,727 people, 10,634 households, and 16,283 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,308.5 people per square mile (891.4/km²). There were 12,514 housing units at an average density of 891.8 per square mile (344.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.46% White, 20.62% African American, 5.45% Native American, 1.71% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.76% of the population.

There were 11,634 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,471, and the median income for a family was $40,679. Males had a median income of $35,897 versus $22,202 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,720. About 16.4% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.7% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

Culture

Houma and the surrounding communities are steeped in Cajun tradition and culture, a creolization of Native American, Acadian and African traditions. Downtown Houma has been listed as a significant historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. It offers a downtown walking tour and attractions such as the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum, the Folklife Culture Center, the Regional Military Museum, Southdown Plantation, the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, monuments to local armed forces, and local eateries.

Although Houma is quickly changing, many residents in the surrounding communities continue to make their living as their ancestors did. They are shrimpers, oystermen, crabbers, fishermen, and trappers, although more are beginning to work in occupations of the oil industry and ship building. Many long-standing traditions and lifestyles remain as part of the area's rich cultural history. Houma is also the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, and home to Louisiana's second-oldest high school, Terrebonne High School.

In popular culture

Mass media

The local newspaper is The Courier, founded in 1878 as Le Courrier de Houma by the French-born Lafayette Bernard Filhucan Bazet. He first published it in four-page, half-French half-English editions. Sold to The New York Times Company in 1980, it is now part of the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group.[14]

The Tri-Parish Times is located in Houma. The newspaper is a weekly publication with a website updated daily. It serves the Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes. Owned by the Guidry Group, Inc., it has provided local news for almost 10 years.[15]

The area's only local broadcast TV station KFOL-CD is located in Houma. KFOL, also known as HTV, produces a weeknight newscast, followed by local phone calls and guests. Other shows include Sportsman's Paradise and One on One. KFOL broadcasts in digital on channel 30.1. The statewide TV network LCN-TV produces original Louisiana programming which showcases Louisiana's entertainment, culture, talent and industry. LCN-TV is delivered to all media distributors. Debuted in 2007, LCN-TV continues to produce Louisiana TV shows for the U.S.

Transportation

Houma is served by Houma-Terrebonne Airport, located 3 miles southeast of the central business district.

Twin town

Notable people

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Houma has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[25]

References

  1. ↑ Kenyon and Knott (Addenda); Webster's New Geographical Dictionary (1984).
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "Houma (city), Louisiana". quickfacts.census.gov. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  4. ↑ State of Louisiana "List of state and federally recognized tribes"
  5. ↑ "United States" (PDF). 9th Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey: 2013 Ratings for Metropolitan Markets. Demographia. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  6. ↑ John D. Winters, The Civil War in Louisiana, Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1963; ISBN 0-8071-0834-0, pp. 150-151
  7. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  9. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397101/locations
  13. ↑ "Some scenes from The Butler shot in Houma, Louisiana", Daily Comet, 15 August 2013; accessed August 21, 2014.
  14. ↑ "About the Courier", The Courier online edition (September 30. 2004); retrieved October 19, 2007.
  15. ↑ Tri-Parish Times website; accessed August 21, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Terrebonne parish establishes sister city with China". HoumaToday.com. Retrieved 10/06/2013. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  17. ↑ "Richie Cunningham profile". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Skyler Green". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Hal Haydel profile at". Baseball-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Frank Douglas Lewis". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Jay Leslie Pennison". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Lloyd Pitts IMDB".
  23. ↑ "Watkins to Watrous". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Tramon Williams". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  25. ↑ Climate Summary for Houma, Louisiana

Bibliography

External links

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