Destrehan, Louisiana

Destrehan is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 11,535 at the 2010 census, an increase of 275 over the 2000 tabulation of 11,260.

The community is named after Jean Noël Destréhan (1754–1823), who was twice President of the Orleans Territory's legislative council during his service there in 1806 and 1811. He was elected to the United States Senate when Louisiana became a state in 1812, but he resigned after a month. He served in the Louisiana State Senate from 1812 to 1817.

Destrehan Plantation, his former home, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The main house has been restored and is one of the attractions on the Great River Road along the Mississippi River.

History

George Prince tragedy 

Before the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge was completed connecting the communities of Destrehan and Luling, automobile ferries connected the towns. On October 20, 1976, one of these ferries, the George Prince, was struck by a tanker and capsized as it crossed the Mississippi River resulting in the MV George Prince ferry disaster. Seventy-eight passengers and crew died.

Gary Tyler case 
Destrehan was briefly notorious in 1974 for the case of Gary Tyler, a 17 year old black student who was accused by local officials of the murder of 13 year old white student and the wounding of another, on a day of violent  protests by white students at Destrehan High School. Many observers believe his conviction and trial were unfair and flawed. He was convicted and sentenced to prison. He was released from prison in 2016.

Geography
Destrehan is located at  (29.962307, -90.369160).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which  are land and  (12.41%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,260 people, 3,629 households, and 3,073 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,628.7 people per square mile (629.2/km²). There were 3,742 housing units at an average density of 541.3 per square mile (209.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.64% White, 12.78% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.57% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.81% of the population.

There were 3,629 households out of which 52.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.9% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.3% were non-families. 12.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the CDP, the population was spread out with 32.4% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $63,425, and the median income for a family was $68,870. Males had a median income of $49,839 versus $27,605 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $25,435. About 4.0% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

St. Charles Parish Public School System operates public schools:
Destrehan High School (Grades 9-12)
Harry M. Hurst Middle School (Formerly Grades 7-8 & Presently Grades 6-8)
Ethel Schoeffner Elementary School (Formerly Grades 4-6 & Presently Grades 3-5)
New Sarpy Elementary School (Formerly Grades PK-3 & Presently Grades PK-2)

In popular culture
Destrehan Plantation was used as a set in the film 12 Years a Slave (2013).

Notable people

Paul Boudreau, Resident as assistant coach of the New Orleans Saints
Paul F. Boudreau, NFL and CFL assistant coach 
Joel Chaisson, District Attorney and Louisiana State Senate President 
Jean Noël Destréhan, U.S. Senator 
Jesse Duplantis, televangelist
Hoffman Franklin Fuller, professor-emeritus at Tulane University Law School; authority on tax law
Shelley Hennig, Actress and Miss Teen USA 2004
Dalton Hilliard, NFL running back for the New Orleans Saints
Joe Horn, NFL wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons
Harry J. Kember Jr., member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Tanner Lee, NFL quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars
Gregory A. Miller, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Jim E. Mora, Resident as head coach of the New Orleans Saints
Ed Reed, NFL safety for the Baltimore Ravens
Bum Phillips, Resident as head coach of the New Orleans Saints
Mike Scifres, NFL punter for the San Diego Chargers
Byron O. Thomas, known by stage name Mannie Fresh, rapper and producer
Devon Walker, Safety for Tulane University and New Orleans Saints

See also
St. Charles Borromeo Church (Destrehan, Louisiana)

References

Category:Census-designated places in Louisiana
Category:Census-designated places in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana
Category:Census-designated places in New Orleans metropolitan area
Category:Louisiana populated places on the Mississippi River