Lutcher, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Lutcher is a town in St. James Parish, Louisiana
, United States
, on the East Bank of the Mississippi River
. The population was 3,735 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), of which, 3.4 square miles (8.7 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.88%) is water.
of 2000, there were 3,735 people, 1,252 households, and 986 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,107.3 people per square mile (427.9/km²). There were 1,368 housing units at an average density of 405.5 per square mile (156.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 49.91% White, 49.77% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.05% from other races
, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.
There were 1,252 households out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples
living together, 19.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,167, and the median income for a family was $42,317. Males had a median income of $40,769 versus $22,257 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $15,129. About 21.1% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.2% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.
who was a sawmiller and businessman. Lutcher is also where James Mather
and his family established a sugar plantation, and where Mather died in 1821.
It is the birthplace of early jazz
clarinetist Leon Roppolo
.
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, on the East Bank of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. The population was 3,735 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Lutcher is located at 30°2′56"N 90°41′59"W (30.048867, -90.699744).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), of which, 3.4 square miles (8.7 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.88%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,735 people, 1,252 households, and 986 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,107.3 people per square mile (427.9/km²). There were 1,368 housing units at an average density of 405.5 per square mile (156.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 49.91% White, 49.77% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.05% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.
There were 1,252 households out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 19.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,167, and the median income for a family was $42,317. Males had a median income of $40,769 versus $22,257 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $15,129. About 21.1% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.2% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
Lutcher was established as a sawmill town, named after Henry J. LutcherHenry J. Lutcher
Henry Jacob Lutcher was a sawmiller and business partner of the Lutcher and Moore Lumber Company. His business ventures would help establish Orange, Texas as the timber-processing capital of the South in the late 19th century and early 20th century....
who was a sawmiller and businessman. Lutcher is also where James Mather
James Mather
James Mather was mayor of New Orleans from March 9, 1807 to October 8, 1812.His place of birth is variously given as Coupland in Northumberland; or London...
and his family established a sugar plantation, and where Mather died in 1821.
It is the birthplace of early jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
clarinetist Leon Roppolo
Leon Roppolo
Leon Roppolo was a prominent early jazz clarinetist, best known for his playing with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. Roppolo also played saxophone and guitar. Roppolo married Mabel Alice Branchard on 17 May 1920 in New Orleans...
.