New Iberia, Louisiana

Coordinates: 30°0′13″N 91°49′6″W / 30.00361°N 91.81833°W / 30.00361; -91.81833
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

New Iberia, Louisiana
City of New Iberia
Downtown
Downtown
New Iberia is located in Louisiana
New Iberia
New Iberia
Location in Louisiana
New Iberia is located in the United States
New Iberia
New Iberia
New Iberia (the United States)
Coordinates: 30°0′13″N 91°49′6″W / 30.00361°N 91.81833°W / 30.00361; -91.81833
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishIberia
Settled1779
Laid out1835[1]
Incorporated (city)1839
Area
 • Total11.25 sq mi (29.15 km2)
 • Land11.14 sq mi (28.85 km2)
 • Water0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total28,555
 • Density2,563.06/sq mi (989.64/km2)
ZIP codes
70560, 70562-70563
FIPS code22-54035
Websitewww.cityofnewiberia.com

New Iberia (French: La Nouvelle-Ibérie; Spanish: Nueva Iberia) is the largest city in and parish seat of Iberia Parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana.[3] The city of New Iberia is located approximately 21 miles (34 kilometers) southeast of Lafayette, and forms part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area in the region of Acadiana. The 2020 United States census tabulated a population of 28,555.[4] New Iberia is served by a major four lane highway, being U.S. 90 (future Interstate 49), and has its own general aviation airfield, Acadiana Regional Airport. Scheduled passenger and cargo airline service is available via the nearby Lafayette Regional Airport located adjacent to U.S. 90 in Lafayette.

History[edit]

New Iberia dates its founding to the spring of 1779, when a group of some 500 colonists (Malagueños) from Spain, led by Lt. Col. Francisco Bouligny, came up Bayou Teche and settled around what became known as Spanish Lake.

Flooding in New Iberia due to Hurricane Ike, September 2008

The Spanish settlers called the town "Nueva Iberia" in honor of the Iberian Peninsula; French-speakers referred to the town as "Nouvelle Ibérie" while the English settlers arriving after the Louisiana Purchase called it "New Town." In 1814, the U.S. government opened a post office in the town, officially recognizing the name as New Iberia, but postmarks from 1802 show the town being called “Nova Iberia” (Latin for "new").[5] The town was incorporated in 1839[1] as the "Town of Iberia", but the state legislature amended the town's charter in 1847, recognizing New Iberia as the town's name.[6]

In 1868, Iberia Parish was established, and New Iberia became the seat of parish government. At first, only rented space served for the courthouse. State senator Samuel Wakefield and his family fled to New Orleans after their son was lynched by a white mob. By 1884 a new courthouse was completed on a landscaped lot in downtown New Iberia, at the present-day site of Bouligny Plaza. That courthouse served Iberia Parish until 1940. That year the current courthouse was built along Iberia Street, two blocks from the New Iberia downtown commercial district.

In September 2008, New Iberia was struck by Hurricane Ike. The lakes overflowed and filled the city, flooding it under several feet of dirty, brown water.[7] On December 14, 2022, the southeastern part of the city was heavily damaged by a high-end EF2 tornado, injuring 16 people.[8]

Geography[edit]

New Iberia is located in southern Louisiana, in the Acadiana region. The city of New Iberia is a part of the Lafayette metropolitan area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.6 square miles (27.4 km2), all land. In 2000, the population density was 3,088.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,192.6/km2). There were 12,880 housing units at an average density of 1,219.5 per square mile (470.9/km2). New Iberia lies approximately 16 to 20 feet above sea level.[9][10]

Among the lakes near the city is Lake Peigneur, which was formerly a 10-foot (3.0 m) deep freshwater lake until a 1980 disaster involving oil drilling and a salt mine. The lake is now a 1,300-foot (400 m) deep salt water lake, having been refilled by the Gulf of Mexico via the Delcambre Canal. There is also Lake Tasse, better known as Spanish Lake. This region has many natural features of interest, such as Avery Island, famous for its Tabasco sauce factory, deposits of rock salt, and Jungle Gardens.

Climate[edit]

New Iberia enjoys a sub-tropical climate with above average rainfall. As of 2021, annual average high temperature is 79.1 °F (26.2 °C) and the annual low is 59.4 °F (15.2 °C).[11]

Climate data for New Iberia, Louisiana (Acadiana Regional Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1998–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 81
(27)
85
(29)
87
(31)
92
(33)
98
(37)
103
(39)
104
(40)
106
(41)
101
(38)
96
(36)
88
(31)
83
(28)
106
(41)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 77.3
(25.2)
79.7
(26.5)
83.5
(28.6)
87.5
(30.8)
92.0
(33.3)
96.7
(35.9)
97.4
(36.3)
97.7
(36.5)
95.4
(35.2)
91.3
(32.9)
83.7
(28.7)
80.1
(26.7)
99.2
(37.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 62.7
(17.1)
66.5
(19.2)
72.9
(22.7)
79.2
(26.2)
85.6
(29.8)
90.2
(32.3)
91.5
(33.1)
92.4
(33.6)
89.0
(31.7)
81.8
(27.7)
72.0
(22.2)
65.1
(18.4)
79.1
(26.2)
Daily mean °F (°C) 52.9
(11.6)
56.7
(13.7)
62.7
(17.1)
68.9
(20.5)
76.1
(24.5)
81.4
(27.4)
82.9
(28.3)
83.2
(28.4)
79.6
(26.4)
70.7
(21.5)
60.8
(16.0)
55.0
(12.8)
69.2
(20.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 43.1
(6.2)
46.9
(8.3)
52.5
(11.4)
58.6
(14.8)
66.7
(19.3)
72.5
(22.5)
74.3
(23.5)
74.0
(23.3)
70.1
(21.2)
59.6
(15.3)
49.6
(9.8)
44.9
(7.2)
59.4
(15.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 26.9
(−2.8)
32.8
(0.4)
34.5
(1.4)
43.9
(6.6)
54.5
(12.5)
66.8
(19.3)
70.5
(21.4)
69.9
(21.1)
60.0
(15.6)
42.9
(6.1)
32.5
(0.3)
29.9
(−1.2)
25.3
(−3.7)
Record low °F (°C) 17
(−8)
18
(−8)
25
(−4)
38
(3)
45
(7)
62
(17)
67
(19)
62
(17)
50
(10)
35
(2)
27
(−3)
20
(−7)
17
(−8)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.36
(136)
3.54
(90)
2.91
(74)
4.82
(122)
4.39
(112)
6.46
(164)
6.71
(170)
6.37
(162)
5.05
(128)
5.09
(129)
4.50
(114)
4.49
(114)
59.69
(1,515)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.5 9.4 9.3 8.3 8.0 13.1 15.4 14.4 10.9 9.5 9.4 10.5 128.7
Source 1: NOAA[11]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 2006–2020)[12]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850306
18701,472
18802,70984.0%
18903,44727.2%
19006,81597.7%
19107,49910.0%
19206,278−16.3%
19308,00327.5%
194013,74771.8%
195016,46719.8%
196029,06276.5%
197030,1473.7%
198032,7668.7%
199031,828−2.9%
200032,6232.5%
201030,617−6.1%
202028,555−6.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
New Iberia racial composition as of 2020[14]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 12,697 44.47%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 12,575 44.04%
Native American 74 0.26%
Asian 800 2.8%
Pacific Islander 1 0.0%
Other/Mixed 963 3.37%
Hispanic or Latino 1,445 5.06%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 28,555 people, 11,030 households, and 7,338 families residing in the city. The 2019 American Community Survey estimated 29,456 people resided in the city limits.[15] At the 2010 U.S. census, the population of New Iberia was 30,617. At the census of 2000,[16] there were 32,623 people, 11,756 households, and 8,335 families residing in the city.

Of the population in 2019, New Iberians lived in 13,455 housing units; there were 11,030 households.[17] New Iberia's population had a sex ratio of 96.2 males per 100 females.[15] The city had a median age of 36.2 and 7,671 were under 18 years of age, 2,609 under 5 years, and 21,785 aged 18 and older. An estimated 4,268 households were married-couples living together, 784 cohabiting households, 2,273 male households with no female present, and 3,705 female households with no male present.[17] The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.24.

In 2000, there were 11,756 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.24. In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.6 males.

The 2019 census estimates determined New Iberia a median income of $38,221 and mean income of $54,126.[18] At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the city was $26,079, and the median income for a family was $30,828. Males had a median income of $30,289 versus $16,980 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,084. About 24.9% of families and 29.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.8% of those under age 18 and 20.8% of those age 65 or over.

Race and ethnicity[edit]

New Iberia had a racial and ethnic makeup of 51.6% non-Hispanic whites, 40.7% Blacks or African Americans, 0.1% American Indians and Alaska Natives, 1.4% Asian, 2.1% some other race, and 2.1% multiracial Americans. Hispanics or Latino Americans of any race made up 3.8% of the total population in 2019.[15] After the 2020 census, its racial and ethnic makeup was 44.47% non-Hispanic white, 44.04% Black or African American, 0.26% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.8% Asian, <0.0 Pacific Islander, 3.37% two or more races, and 5.06% Hispanic or Latino American of any race.[14] At the 2000 census, the racial makeup of the city was 56.99% White, 38.42% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races; 1.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino American of any race.

Religion[edit]

In common with most of Louisiana, the majority of New Iberians profess a religion.[19] New Iberia is dominated by Christianity, and the single largest Christian denomination in the city is the Roman Catholic Church, owing in part to the Spanish and French heritage of its residents. Catholics in New Iberia and the surrounding area are served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana.[20] Of the religious population, 0.1% each practice Judaism or an eastern religion.

Economy[edit]

The city of New Iberia was the founding headquarters for Bruce Foods before their relocation to Lafayette; it was also the birthplace of Trappey's Hot Sauce. Currently, the economy is stimulated by small businesses, agriculture, New Iberia station, Louisiana Hot Sauce, and Acadiana Regional Airport.

Arts and culture[edit]

Places of interest[edit]

Festivals[edit]

New Iberia hosts the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival in September.[28] The Sugar Cane Festival celebrates the commencement of the sugar cane harvest, locally referred to as grinding. Sugar cane is a principal crop grown by New Iberia farmers. The city also hosts El Festival Español de Nueva Iberia, which honors the area's Spanish heritage.[29] Other notable festivals include the World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off, on the second full weekend in October;[30] and the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival, in April, which celebrates James Lee Burke and South Louisiana literature.[31]

Popular culture[edit]

New Iberia is home to fictional detective Dave Robicheaux and his creator, author James Lee Burke.[32] In the Electric Mist, a movie based on one of Burke's novels, was filmed in New Iberia in 2009 and starred Tommy Lee Jones.

Education[edit]

Public schools[edit]

Iberia Parish School System serves the city and parish area.

High schools[edit]

Middle schools[edit]

  • Anderson Middle School
  • Belle Place Middle School
  • Iberia Middle School

Elementary schools[edit]

  • Belle Place Elementary
  • Caneview Elementary
  • Center Street Elementary
  • Coteau Elementary
  • Daspit Elementary
  • Jefferson Island Road Elementary
  • John Hopkins Elementary
  • Magnolia Elementary
  • North Lewis Elementary
  • North Street Elementary
  • Park Elementary
  • Pesson Elementary
  • Sugarland Elementary

Private schools[edit]

Colleges and universities[edit]

Iberia Parish is in the service area of Fletcher Technical Community College and of South Louisiana Community College.[35]

Notable people[edit]

This is a list of notable people from New Iberia, Louisiana. It includes people who were born/raised in, lived in, or spent portions of their lives in New Iberia, or for whom New Iberia is a significant part of their identity. This list is in order by career and in alphabetical order by last name.

Actors[edit]

Christian J. Simon, child actor and voice actor, born in New Iberia

Authors and journalists[edit]

Artists and designers[edit]

  • Jamie Baldridge, artist, photographer, arts educator, writer.[41] Born and raised in New Iberia.
  • Rosa Lee Brooks, artist, blues singer, arts educator, performer.[42] Born in New Iberia and raised in Los Angeles, California.[41]
  • William Eckart, set designer for film, stage and television,[43] born in New Iberia.
  • Alyce Frank, Southwestern landscapes painter born in New Iberia.[44]
  • William Weeks Hall, painter and photographer; between the 1920s and 1950s he restored his family's historic home, the Shadows-on-the-Teche plantation.[45]
  • George Rodrigue, artist and creator of the Blue Dog series of paintings
  • Owen Southwell, architect, and native of New Iberia.[46]

Business[edit]

Politics and civil service[edit]

Music[edit]

Sports[edit]

{{Columns-list|

Science[edit]

Sister cities[edit]

City Division Country Notes
Alhaurín de la Torre  Andalusia  Spain [54]
Fuengirola  Andalusia  Spain
Saint-Jean-d'Angély  Nouvelle-Aquitaine  France [55]
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre  Brussels-Capital Region  Belgium

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "New Iberia" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 19 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 501.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "QuickFacts: New Iberia city, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  5. ^ Kopersmith, Van, ed. (2016). "American Stampless Cover Catalog: Louisiana" (PDF). Indianapolis, Indiana: U.S. Philatelic Classics Society. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  6. ^ "East Main Street Historic District - New Iberia, LA - U.S. National Register of Historic Places". Waymarking. April 4, 2010. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  7. ^ "2008- Hurricane Ike". Hurricanes: Science and Society. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  8. ^ NWS Damage Survey for 12/13/22 Tornado Event (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  9. ^ "Map New Iberia - Louisiana Longitude, Altitude - Sunset". U.S. Climate Data. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  10. ^ "New Iberia, Iberia, United States on the Elevation Map. Topographic Map of New Iberia, Iberia, United States". Elevation Map. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  11. ^ a b "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: New Iberia Acadiana RGNL AP, LA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  12. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Lake Charles". National Weather Service. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  15. ^ a b c "2019 American Community Survey Population Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ^ a b "2019 Selected Characteristic Estimates for New Iberia". U.S. Census Bureau. 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  18. ^ "2019 Income Characteristics for New Iberia". U.S. Census Bureau. 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  19. ^ "Religion in New Iberia, Louisiana". Sperling's BestPlaces. 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  20. ^ "South Deanery". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  21. ^ "The Shadows". The Shadows. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  22. ^ firefly-wp. "Bayou Teche Museum - New Iberia, Louisiana". Bayou Teche Museum. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  23. ^ "Avery Island". NESTA. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  24. ^ "Jungle Gardens". City of New Iberia, Louisiana. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  25. ^ "Jefferson Island". Iberia Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau. September 25, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  26. ^ "Konriko Rice Mill and Company Store". Conrad Rice Mill. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  27. ^ Leleux-Thurbon, Holly (December 3, 2008). "Hadrian statue ready for sale". The Daily Iberian. iberianet.com.
  28. ^ "HiSugar | Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival". Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  29. ^ "El Festival Espanol de Nueva Iberia". Iberia Travel. May 9, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  30. ^ "World Championship Gumbo Cookoff | Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce". iberiachamber.org. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  31. ^ "Books Along the Teche Literary Festival | New Iberia LA – Celebrating New Iberia, Dave Robicheaux's Hometown, and Great Southern Writers". Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  32. ^ tgg-staff (September 19, 2012). "James Lee Burke". Iberia Travel. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  33. ^ "About". Acadiana Christian School. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  34. ^ "Home". Highland Baptist Christian School. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  35. ^ "Our Colleges". Louisiana's Technical and Community Colleges. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  36. ^ "Jefferson Island History | New Iberia, LA". Rip Van Winkle Gardens. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  37. ^ "Yvonne Levy Kushner Obituary". Washington Post. February 9, 1990. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  38. ^ "Living Legends: Glen Conrad". The Acadian Museum. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  39. ^ Kelly, John (July 5, 2017). "Perspective, Remembering when politicians didn't seem to hate journalists quite so much". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  40. ^ "The World Today". The Pittsburgh Courier. May 19, 1962. p. 1. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  41. ^ a b Bookhardt, D. Eric (April 3, 2008). "Image Conscious". Gambit. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  42. ^ "Rosa Lee Brooks Artist". Archived from the original on November 10, 2020.
  43. ^ "The Press: Color Bar". Time Magazine. January 31, 1955. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  44. ^ "Legends of Fine Art | Alyce Frank - Southwest Art Magazine". Southwest Art Magazine. January 1, 1970. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  45. ^ "William Weeks Hall Has A Final Resting Place At The Shadows". Newspapers.com. The Daily Advertiser. June 27, 1961. p. 9. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  46. ^ "Owen J. Southwell Papers". Edith Garland Dupré Library. University of Louisiana at Lafayette. October 13, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  47. ^ "2016 Louisiana Legends Honorees". Louisiana Public Broadcasting. 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  48. ^ Farkas, David; Ramos, Bethany. "Conceptual Thinking: P.F. Chang's Founder Forges Ahead in Restaurant Innovation". BuyerZone. BuyerZone.com, LLC. A Purch Brand. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  49. ^ a b "Jimmy Carter: United States Ambassador to Kenya and Seychelles - Nomination of Wilbert J. Le Melle". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  50. ^ "Bunk Johnson". Know Louisiana. Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities at Turners' Hall. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  51. ^ "Eulis 'Soko' Richardson Obituary". The Daily Iberian. February 6, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  52. ^ "Diontae Spencer". Ottawa Redblacks. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  53. ^ "Norman Carnahan". Acadian Museum. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  54. ^ Celine (October 19, 2015). "New Iberia's Spanish Twinning: A Spaniard's Perspective". Iberia Travel. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  55. ^ Brégowy, Philippe (January 13, 2016). "Saint-Jean-d'Angély : pas d'hibernation pour les jumelages". SudOuest.fr (in French). Retrieved May 27, 2021.

External links[edit]