Golden Meadow, Louisiana

Golden Meadow French: Canal Yankee is a town along Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,101 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its main sources of revenue are from speeding tickets, property tax, sales tax, and from the oil and gas industry. The fishing and seafood industries also have strong economic impacts, with charter fishing, restaurants, and lodging actively serving patrons. The town was once known as a speed trap, but it has since been bypassed by Hwy 3235 and city traffic has been reduced to mostly locals. As in other places in Louisiana, there is a noticeable presence of Cajun culture, music, and cuisine.

Golden Meadow, Louisiana
Town
Location of Golden Meadow in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Coordinates: 29°23′17″N 90°16′10″W
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishLafourche
Government
 • MayorJoey Bouziga (elected 2012)
Area
 • Total2.94 sq mi (7.61 km2)
 • Land2.44 sq mi (6.33 km2)
 • Water0.49 sq mi (1.27 km2)
Elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total2,101
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
1,960
 • Density801.64/sq mi (309.47/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s)985
FIPS code22-29640
WebsiteGolden Meadow, Louisiana

The Golden Meadow name was given by the original land grant owners, Benjamin and Louisa Hobbs Barker of Illinois. In 1839, they named it so because of the yellow flowers growing everywhere. They hoped to become wealthy selling lots to French and English settlers, but abandoned the plan.[3]

Geography

Golden Meadow is located at 29°23′17″N 90°16′10″W (29.388192, -90.269457).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 km2), of which 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (15.92%) is water.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19603,097—
19702,681−13.4%
19802,282−14.9%
19902,049−10.2%
20002,1937.0%
20102,101−4.2%
2019 (est.)1,960[2]−6.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 2,193 people, 821 households, and 583 families residing in the town. The population density was 903.0 people per square mile (348.4/km2). There were 934 housing units at an average density of 384.6 per square mile (148.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 92.52% White, 0.50% African American, 4.83% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.78% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.46% of the population.

There were 821 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,690, and the median income for a family was $36,944. Males had a median income of $32,969 versus $21,786 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,122. About 15.4% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.9% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

On July 1, 1950 the town marshal, the first head law enforcement agent of the town, took his position and became the first head of the town police department.[7]

The United States Postal Service operates the Golden Meadow Post Office.[8]

Education
Golden Meadow Middle School (former Golden Meadow High School building)

Lafourche Parish Public Schools operates public schools:

  • Golden Meadow Lower Elementary School[9]
  • Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School[10]
  • Golden Meadow Middle School[11]

South Lafourche High School is in the Galliano census-designated place, north of Golden Meadow, and serves the community.[12][13]

Francophone private schools were the first educational institutions serving the community. In 1917 the first public elementary school opened. Golden Meadow High School opened in 1933. It was consolidated with Larose-Cut Off High School to form South Lafourche High School in 1966.[14] The former Golden Meadow High building is currently Golden Meadow Middle School.[15]

Lafourche Parish Library operates the Golden Meadow Branch.[16]

Notable natives and residents

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. Jambon, Ted. "Lower Bayou Lafourche Settlement: Where Did They All Come From". Roots Along The River, Le Baton Rouge, Vol XXC, No 3, Summer 2005, Baton Rouge Genealogical & Historical Society. p25-26.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. "Golden Meadow Police Department." Golden Meadow. Retrieved on March 11, 2017.
  8. "Golden Meadow." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on March 11, 2017. "300 S ALEX PLAISANCE BLVD, GOLDEN MEADOW, LA 70357-9998"
  9. Home. Golden Meadow Lower Elementary School. Retrieved on November 29, 2016.
  10. Home. Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School. Retrieved on November 29, 2016.
  11. Home. Golden Meadow Middle School. Retrieved on November 29, 2016.
  12. "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Golden Meadow town, LA." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on February 7, 2018.
  13. "SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BOUNDARIES Archived 2016-12-02 at the Wayback Machine." Lafourche Parish Public Schools. Retrieved on December 2, 2016. Based on the text description of the school boundaries.
  14. "The Origin of South Lafourche." South Lafourche High School. Retrieved on November 29, 2016.
  15. "Our Collection". The Golden Meadow Historical Center. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  16. "Branch Locations and Contact." Lafourche Parish Library. Retrieved on November 28, 2018.
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