JEFFERSON PARISH
Parish Offices
1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard
Jefferson 504-736-6400
https://www.jeffparish.net
Chamber of Commerce
3421 N. Causeway Boulevard
Metairie 504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
Distinguished as Louisiana’s largest parish in population and land mass, Jefferson stretches between Lake Pontchartrain on its northern boundary to the southernmost Town of Grand Isle on the Gulf of Mexico. The 24-mile Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the second-longest bridge in the world. The Mississippi River has played a major role in the area’s economic success and traverses through the parish, separating the region into East and West banks. Transportation services are anchored by the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner as well as Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 90, also known as the Westbank Expressway.
Services
Newcomers can look forward to a strong network of healthcare facilities in and near Jefferson Parish, from emergency care centers, family practice clinics, and physicians in every specialty to regional teaching hospitals. Metairie is home to East Jefferson General Hospital and Tulane-Lakeside Hospital while West Jefferson Medical Center is in Marrero. Ochsner Medical Center maintains campuses in New Orleans, Kenner, and Gretna, ranking nationally in eight adult specialties. Each one of these healthcare leaders is known for centers of excellence and clinical specialties. Tulane Medical Center with its flagship campus in downtown New Orleans provides a far-reaching health system with a Cancer Center, Center for Women’s Health, the Tulane Hospital for Children, a Pediatric Heart Center, a Transplant Institute, and an Institute of Sports Medicine in addition to many other resources. The all-new University Medical Center in downtown New Orleans is already a model of post-Katrina, catastrophe-resistant architectural wonder. Children’s Hospital is another outstanding resource, delivering the most advanced pediatric care and critical care to infants and children from all 64 of Louisiana’s parishes, 37 states and 6 foreign countries.
The educational opportunities in and near Jefferson Parish are equally impressive, beginning with easy access to private and parochial schools on elementary, middle, and secondary levels. The region is home to a long list of nationally recognized institutions of higher education that include renowned colleges and universities as well as exceptional technical schools—most of which are available within 15 miles from any parish address. Among them are Strayer, Concordia, Dillard, and Loyola universities; the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Southeastern Louisiana University, Southern University at New Orleans, Tulane University, the University of New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Our Lady of Holy Cross College. Those interested in two-year degree and credential programs or career and skills training with immediate real-world application will want to explore the options at Delgado or Nunez community colleges, ITT Technical Institute, Herzing University, Louisiana Technical College, and the Eastern College of Health Vocations.
Lifestyle
Yesterday’s farms and dairies, along with vast tracts of undeveloped land, eventually gave way to the development of the first suburb of New Orleans, providing a bedroom community of welcoming neighborhoods west of the city. Wrapped around New Orleans, Jefferson Parish nevertheless claims its own sense of identity and heritage. Cultural diversity abounds in this sports-lovers paradise just 15 minutes from downtown New Orleans, enabling the parish to serve as a regional recreational destination with large tracts of natural preservation. Some of the most picturesque wetlands in Louisiana are located in this area, where newcomers will discover the beauty of moss Cypress trees and the unique charm of Cajun living. Surrounded by waters teeming with fish, the parish draws anglers from across the nation and hosts the nation’s oldest “fishing rodeos.” The area is also nationally recognized with bird-watchers, including nesting sites for the brown pelican and the purple martin. Water-sport enthusiasts can enjoy boating, sailing, jet skiing or water skiing on Lake Pontchartrain while the Gulf of Mexico is ideal for swimming, fishing, crabbing, picnicking, and beach camping.
Professional baseball at Zephyr Stadium is complemented by world-class sports events at the Alario Center to keep avid fans cheering. Area malls, convenient plazas, and unusual boutiques provide shopping opportunities. Entertainment centers cater to every interest and age group, including casinos that offer vibrant shows, dancing and dining. Of course, the Greatest Show on Earth happens at Mardi Gras, unmatched for its verve and visual delight. The Jefferson Performing Arts Society fills the calendar with cultural events from theater to classical concerts. Historic architecture and sites abound, while fine museums preserve and interpret the region’s rich past. Rivertown is home to the colorful Mardi Gras Museum as well as the Daily Living Science Center with a NASA Space Station prototype. Local and regional attractions also include the Saints Hall of Fame Museum, Davey Crockett Fire Museum, Louisiana Railroad Museum, Jazzland theme park, and the world-acclaimed historic French Quarter of New Orleans. Festivals are another way to “pass a good time” in Jefferson Parish. The vitality of Jefferson Parish is beautifully contrasted with the slow and easy pace of its welcoming communities. Take your time exploring all that Jefferson Parish has to offer, including the perfect place to call home.
COMMUNITY PROFILES
Avondale
Parish Offices
504-736-6400
https://www.jeffparish.net
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
Avondale is an unincorporated community nestled along the West Bank of the Mississippi River, approximately eleven miles from New Orleans and seven miles from the sprawling suburb of Metairie. The latest feather in the cap of Avondale is the development of the NOLA Motorsports Park, a privately funded enterprise that covers 750 acres with racing attractions. Two international standard race tracks, three karting tracks and a full-service kart center, an eight-acre autocross pad, a single-lane drag strip, educational driving facilities, and luxury villas are encompassed within the park. Avondale is also distinguished as the home of the Tournament Players Club Louisiana, designed by legendary golf course architect Pete Dye and host of the Zurich Classic of annual PGA New Orleans PGA tournament. In contrast to the bustle of its world-class recreational venues, the community of Avondale offers quiet country-suburban living in established neighborhoods.
Bridge City
Parish Offices
504-736-6400
https://www.jeffparish.net
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
Another unincorporated community in Jefferson Parish, Bridge City was established in the 1930s during the construction of the Huey P. Long Bridge over the Mississippi River. The community took its name from the towering engineering feat around which it grew up and began to flourish. As another one of the West Bank communities in the parish, Bridge City is well-connected to the rest of the New Orleans area by U.S. Highway 90, the thoroughfare that crosses the Huey P. Long Bridge over the mighty Mississippi River. Residents of Bridge City enjoy a quiet suburban lifestyle in an area with an open country feeling within minutes from a world of entertainment, outdoor recreation, and cultural attractions. Bayou Segnette State Park is nearby for camping, relaxing, and nature enjoyment. The stellar venues of the Tournament Players Club of Louisiana and the newly developed NOLA Motorsports Park are close to home in Avondale.
Grand Isle
City Offices
985-787-2997
https://www.townofgrandisle.com
Chamber of Commerce
985-693-6700
https://www.lafourchechamber.com
Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island, Grand Isle pleases residents and visitors alike with miles of beachfront and abundant nature. This oasis combines southern hospitality, world-class seafood, pristine views of the Gulf of Mexico, and a convenient yet private location at the end of Highway 1. Fishing and birding are both unrivaled in this seaside community, home to thriving seafood and petroleum industries. Little wonder that Grand Isle has been the setting for several works of fiction and has enchanted visitors for more than 250 years. The town’s modest population of approximately 1,200 swells each summer to more than 20,000. On the easternmost section of the island, Grand Isle State Park features a 400-foot-long public fishing pier overlooking waters that are home to more than 280 species of fish. The only land access to Grand Isle is the automobile causeway that crosses Highway 1, and the town’s main street is the seaside beginning of that same Highway 1.
Gretna
City Offices
504-363-1500
https://www.gretnala.com
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
More than 900 businesses call Gretna home, infusing economic vitality into a welcoming hometown atmosphere. Since a popular play brought the name Gretna into the limelight as a place in Scotland where young couples go to elope, the city has capitalized upon the romance inherent in the name “Gretna Green” and offers Valentine’s Day weddings at the Gretna Green Blacksmith Shop. The German American Cultural Center is another unique attraction that interprets the story of the German immigrants who came to the West Bank. Gretna also showcases one of America’s oldest firehouses, the David Crockett Fire Company #1, along with a museum. The city’s charming historical legacy includes a number of quaint shops and restaurants in addition to the Jefferson Parish courthouse and other public buildings. The blending of history with a progressive outlook is a hallmark of Gretna, where major attractions include a fine observatory, the Gretna BMX Raceway, the Gretna Art Walk, and the popular Gretna Farmer’s Market.
Harahan
City Offices
504-737-6383
https://harahanla.gov
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
Located along a heavily wooded area that follows a curve in the Mississippi River, the City of Harahan was named for a past president of the Illinois Central Railroad. The atmosphere is suburban, combining pleasant neighborhoods with a large shopping center, a number of popular restaurants, and industrial as well as office parks. Some of the highlights in the Harahan area include a nationally ranked movie theater, the world-renowned Ochsner Foundation Clinic and Hospital, the headquarters for Jefferson Parish government, and the University of New Orleans’ Nims Center’s Film Studio. The Huey P. Long Bridge that spans the Mississippi is still a breathtaking sight, overlooking the centuries-old oak and pecan trees that are beloved symbols of the region’s distant past. The city celebrates that heritage as it welcomes throngs of visitors each year to the Annual Pecan Festival.
Harvey
Parish Offices
504-736-6400
https://www.jeffparish.net
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
The unincorporated yet thriving and vibrant community of Harvey is located along the West Bank of the Mississippi River, efficiently linked to regional destinations by U.S. 90 Highway, also known as the Westbank Expressway. Harvey tends to be a bustling hub of activity, both along its boulevards and at the picturesque port, which derives its importance from its status as a vital shipping route to the Gulf of Mexico. The community has assumed and maintains a leading economic role within Jefferson Parish, particularly in the environmental, energy, and shipping industries. The attractive Fountain Park Centre covers 20 acres with prime commercial development that encompasses retail centers, offices, and restaurants. Harahan also offers amenities and attractions that enhance the quality of life for all ages, from an elaborate playground to a senior center.
Jean Lafitte
Town Offices
504-689-2208
https://www.townofjeanlafitte.com
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
Simply known as Lafitte, the Town of Jean Lafitte nestles in the heart of the Bayou Barataria Basin and hugs Highway 45, which leads deep into Louisiana’s wetlands. Named for the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte, this charming historic fishing village claims as colorful a history as the trails and waterways that wind through the area. Hard-working fishermen still depart from Lafitte and return trawling nets filled with shrimp, crab and oysters. Approximately an hour’s drive from the bustling City of New Orleans, Lafitte is a world apart. Barataria Basin is one of the most biologically productive estuaries in the nation, a mysterious terrain where stealthy alligators glide through bayou waters. Local residents are proud of the area’s unique heritage, preserving their distinctive bayou culture in fine restaurants that feature Cajun and Creole cuisine, charming inns that overlook the marshes, thriving local businesses, and of course in Barataria Museum displays. Visitors and locals alike enjoy some of the nation’s finest fishing, either by boat or from the pier. Other popular pastimes include canoeing and hiking.
Jefferson
Parish Offices
504-736-6400
https://www.jeffparish.net
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
The unincorporated community of Jefferson is situation along the East Bank of the Mississippi River. Relatively modest in population, Jefferson combines the convenience of local shopping with established neighborhoods in a suburban setting. The presence of U.S. Highway 90 and Jefferson Highway ensure easy commutes to regional attractions and employment centers. Residents of Jefferson enjoy a quiet hometown atmosphere in close proximity to the highly developed, bustling suburban community of Metairie and the bright lights of New Orleans. Residents have easy access to nationally famous entertainment, science centers, sports venues, cultural attractions, and recreational centers. The sprawling campus for the impressive Ochsner Medical Center is located in Jefferson, just minutes away from the city limits of New Orleans. Jefferson is also home to the East Bank location of the Jefferson Parish government offices.
Kenner
City Offices
504-468-7200
https://www.kenner.la.us
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
The City of Kenner has a long list of advantages and attractions that elevate its status in Jefferson Parish and the entire New Orleans area, including the Louis Armstrong International Airport. The historic area of Rivertown along the banks of the great Mississippi River contrasts with beautiful Laketown on Lake Pontchartrain, where residents can launch boats, freshwater fish from a lighted pier, and picnic along the scenic coast. Kenner is home to the spectacular Pontchartrain Center, a multipurpose convention center and arena that hosts more than 400 events each year, from trade shows to competitive sports, concerts, and family shows. Other highlights in this area include the Treasure Chest Casino, science and nature exhibits, cultural events and theatrical performances, the Kenner Planetarium, and the MegaDome Cinema. The city features scores of wonderful restaurants and shopping opportunities, crowned by the upscale Esplanade with more than 100 fine department anchors and name-brand shops.
Marrero
Parish Offices
504-736-6400
https://www.jeffparish.net
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
Situated along the West Bank of the Mississippi River, the unincorporated yet well-developed suburban community of Marrero enjoys a convenient and quick connection to regional destinations via U.S. Highway 90. Local schools fall under the jurisdiction of the Jefferson Parish Public School System but Marrero is also home to two private college-prep high schools, the Archbishop Shaw High School for boys and the Academy of Our Lady for girls. One of the crowning jewels of historic preservation in Marrero is the architectural wonder of St. John Bosco Chapel on the Hope Haven campus. The residential areas and neighborhoods provide a wide range of settings and home choices, including fine new construction in the vibrant Acadiana community. Marrero is home to the Bayou Barataria Preserve and part of the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, where miles of boardwalks and walking trails showcase the natural wonders of bayous, swamps, marshes, and hardwood forests.
Metairie
Parish Offices
504-736-6400
https://www.jeffparish.net
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
Situated along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain between New Orleans and Kenner, the thriving New Orleans suburb of Metairie is the most highly populated in Jefferson Parish and one of the largest unincorporated communities in America. Once home to a Native American village and later an agricultural center, “Old Metairie” preserves that rich heritage in the Metairie Club Gardens, a charming residential haven developed in the early 20th century. Metairie Road now winds along the old trail through upscale shopping centers and new developments. The ideal location of the community gives residents quick and easy access to the world-famous French Quarter, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans but also to the New Orleans International Airport, Rivertown, and the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. In addition to a kaleidoscope of housing and home settings, Metairie is home to public and private schools, beautiful churches, hospitals, fine restaurants, entertainment centers, and cultural attractions. Although Metairie is the very heart of Jefferson Parish, many of its residents and business strongly identify with New Orleans. Many Metairie night clubs are located in Fat City, planned and developed as Metairie’s commercial district. The New Orleans Saints offices and practice fields are in Metairie, and the New Orleans Zephyrs AAA baseball team maintains its stadium in Metairie.
River Ridge
Parish Offices
504-736-6400
https://www.jeffparish.net
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
Another unincorporated community that evolved as a suburb of New Orleans, River Ridge is bounded by Harahan to the east, Kenner to the west, Metairie to the north, and the Mississippi River to the south. The community is located a long a three-mile stretch of Jefferson Highway, ensuring quick and easy access to regional destinations and employment centers. River Ridge features a pleasing blend of home styles and suburban residential settings, including lovely tree-lined neighborhoods with spacious lots and sweeping front yards. The major streets in this area were established long ago when the region was divided into large plantations along the riverfront. Agricultural activity prevailed until the 1950s, when large-scale suburban development completely transformed the area. One of the popular highlights in River Ridge is the Paradise Manor Community Club for swimming, diving, and tennis. The oldest community club in Jefferson Parish, it caters to families in River Ridge and Harahan.
Waggaman
Parish Offices
504-736-6400
https://www.jeffparish.net
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
One of the smaller unincorporated West Bank communities, Waggaman is nevertheless welcoming significant industrial growth due to its strategic location along the Mississippi River. Newcomers will find a welcoming suburban atmosphere that retains an open country feeling. Housing options range from modest bungalows in cozy neighborhood settings to handsome newer construction on larger lots. Skirted by US Highway 90, also known as the Westbank Expressway, Waggaman provides quick and easy access to regional shopping, entertainment, fine restaurants, recreational centers, and cultural attractions. River Road meanders along the “river edge” of the community. Residents are also just a few minutes away from two regional attractions, Bayou Segnette State Park for camping and enjoying nature and some of the finest golfing in Louisiana at the Tournament Players Club in Avondale.
Westwego
City Offices
504-341-3424
https://www.visitwestwego.com
Chamber of Commerce
504-835-3880
https://www.jeffersonchamber.org
The small, friendly city known as Westwego is nestled along the West Bank of the Mississippi River in the heart of Jefferson Parish. Anchored by a stable population and slow, sustainable growth patterns, Westwego has preserved an idyllic community atmosphere in approximately one square mile of land. The community is steeped in the rich historic traditions of South Louisiana and its coastal-water heritage. The hard-working residents of this small yet diverse community enjoy a location near some of Louisiana’s most picturesque bayous and swamps. Westwego features the John A. Alario Event Center and Bayou Segnette Sports Complex for conferences, tournaments, and performance events. Historic Sala Avenue, Shrimp Lot, the Westwego Historic Museum, the Westwego Farmers and Fisheries Market, and Bayou Segnette State Park are all unique attractions. At the same time, residents of Westwego are only a 15-minute drive from the bright lights, business centers, and world-class attractions of New Orleans.
