Kenner, Louisiana

Kenner (historically french: Cannes-Brûlées) is a city in Louisiana, United States. It is the largest city in Jefferson Parish, and is the largest incorporated suburban city of New Orleans. The population was 66,448 at the 2020 census.

History

Originally inhabited by the Tchoupitoulas Indians, the area along the Mississippi River was the first land in the New Orleans metropolitan area on which Europeans set foot. René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle landed there in 1682. In 1855, Kenner was founded by Minor Kenner on land that consisted of three plantation properties that had been purchased by the Kenner family. At the time, all land north of what is now Airline Highway was swampland.

In Kenner on May 10, 1870, "Gypsy" Jem Mace defeated Tom Allen for the heavyweight championship of the bare-knuckle boxing era; a monument marks the spot near the river end of Williams Boulevard.

From 1915 to 1931, a New Orleans streetcar line operated between New Orleans and Kenner. The line ran between the intersection of Rampart and Canal in New Orleans and the intersection of Williams Blvd and Jefferson Hwy in Kenner.

Kenner's growth began in the late 1950s when developers began subdividing, draining and filling the swampland in the northern half of the city. During the 1960s, the construction of Interstate 10 and improvements to Veterans Memorial Highway aided the rapid development of Kenner as a suburb of New Orleans.

In 1982, Pan Am Flight 759 crashed in a residential area of Kenner when a microburst forced it down. Eight people on the ground were killed, as were all 145 people aboard the aircraft. Six houses were completely destroyed and five more substantially damaged.

Geography

Kenner's coordinates are (30.009610, −90.250585), and the city has an elevation of 0 ft (0 m) above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (0.7%) is water.

The city of Kenner is located on the west side of Greater New Orleans, in Jefferson Parish. Its boundaries are Lake Pontchartrain to the north, the Mississippi River to the south, the unincorporated areas of Metairie and River Ridge to the east, and St. Charles Parish to the west.

Demographics

In 2013, there were 66,975 living in Kenner, down from 70,517 people in 2000., The population density was 4,486.0 people per square mile. There were 28,076 housing units. In 2000, there were 70,517 people, 25,652 households, and 18,469 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,798.3/km² (4,659.0/mi²). There were 27,378 housing units at an average density of 698.2/km² (1,808.8/mi²). At the 2020 U.S. census, the city's population declined to 66,448.

During the 2019 American Community Survey, the racial and ethnic makeup of Kenner was 64.6% non-Hispanic white, 23.8% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3.7% Asian, 5.4% some other race, and 2.3% two or more races. In 2013, the racial makeup of the city was 48.8% White, 34.7% African American, 12.1% Hispanic or Latino, 0.4% Native American, 3.7% Asian, 3.80% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. In 2000, the racial makeup of the city was 68.12% White, 22.55% African American, 0.40% Native American, 2.84% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.80% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. 13.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Reflecting the nationwide demographic shift in 2020, 40.01% were non-Hispanic white, 21.48% Black or African American, 0.17% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.74% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.55% multiracial or some other race, and 30.01% Hispanic or Latino American of any race.

In the Hispanic and Latin American population of Kenner, 12 of the city's tracts have Hispanic or Latino populations of 15% or more in 2010. By 2011, many businesses catering to Hispanics and Latin Americans had opened in Kenner. A portion of north Kenner is called "Little Honduras." Kenner's Hispanic Resource Center offers English as a second language classes and after school programs.Hispanic population booms in Kenner and elsewhere in New Orleans area


. ''The Times-Picayune''. June 15, 2011. Retrieved on September 7, 2015.

Economy

At one time L'Express Airlines had its headquarters in Kenner.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Kenner is served by the Jefferson Parish Public School System.

Kenner originally had one high school, Alfred Bonnabel High School, which is located on the border between Metairie and Kenner. The newest high school is a public charter (Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy). Most areas are zoned to Bonnabel. Some areas are zoned to East Jefferson High School, both in Metairie. Theodore Roosevelt Middle School and Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy are the two middle schools in Kenner. In addition to Roosevelt and Kenner Discovery, middle schools serving sections of Kenner include Adams Middle and Harris Middle in Metairie, and Riverdale Middle in Jefferson.

Elementary schools include:
* A.C. Alexander Elementary School
* John James Audubon Elementary School
* Chateau Estates Elementary School
* John Clancy Elementary School
* Greenlawn Terrace Elementary School
* Walter Schneckenberger Elementary School
* Washington Elementary School
* Granville T. Woods Elementary
* Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy (public charter)

In regards to the advanced studies academies, students are zoned to Airline Park Academy.

Private schools include:
* First Baptist Christian School
* Our Lady of Perpetual Help School ( Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans). The school, the parish school of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, opened in 1928. In 1951 an annex to the school opened. Another building with classrooms and a gymnasium was dedicated in 1956, and the current school building was dedicated in 1961. The Mercy Center, which houses school offices and a library, gymnasium, and a dedicated room for music classes, was dedicated in August 2004.
* St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans)
* Islamic School of Greater New Orleans (ISGNO)

Library and planetarium

Jefferson Parish Library operates the North Kenner Library. Kenner also has the Louis J. Roussel, Jr., Laser Planetarium, named for the New Orleans businessman and political kingmaker Louis J. Roussel, Jr.

Government

The current mayor of Kenner is Michael Glaser.

Kenner is represented in the Louisiana House of Representatives by the Republican attorney Debbie Villio. The state senator is Republican Kirk Talbot, a former state House member. Kenner is part of Louisiana's 1st Congressional district, presently represented in the U.S. House by Steve Scalise.

The United States Postal Service operates the Kenner Post Office and the North Kenner Post Office.

Media

The ''Kenner Star'' is Kenner's free monthly community newspaper. Kenner is served primarily by New Orleans-based media outlets.

Transportation

Buses

Public transportation in the city is operated by the Jefferson Parish Department of Transit Administration which operates Jefferson Transit. Jefferson Transit provides service to points in Kenner, Metairie and New Orleans as well as other locations in incorporated and unincorporated Jefferson Parish.

Roads

Kenner is served by Interstate 10, which travels east–west through the city. Traveling westbound from the city line there are exits at Power Blvd., LA 49 (Williams Blvd.)/32nd St. New Orleans Int'l Airport, and Loyola Dr.

In addition, the interstate, U.S. 61 (generally signed as Airline Dr.) travels east–west through the southern end of the city. LA 49 (signed as Williams Blvd) is the city's primary north–south corridor.

Airport

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (IATA: MSY), the main commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area, is located within the city limits, just south of Interstate 10. It serves as a major tax-revenue generator for the city.

Places of interest

Kenner is home to the following:
*A. J. Muss Bertolino Playground – The playground includes Muss Bertolino Stadium that is used for high school football games, lacrosse, soccer and includes a running track. Muss Bertolino Gymnasium used for basketball and volleyball is also located in the playground along with a baseball park.
*Chateau Golf and Country Club — one of only three golf courses located in East Jefferson (the East Bank of Jefferson Parish).
*Coconut Beach Volleyball Complex - 22 court sand volleyball complex located just south of the Pontchartrain Center in Laketown. It is the largest man-made sand complex in the United States. Before opening in Kenner, Coconut Beach existed for 25 years in the West End neighborhood of New Orleans before the site was appropriated for an Army Corps of Engineers flood control project.
* The Esplanade Mall – Opened in 1983, it is one of the two largest malls located in East Jefferson (the East Bank of Jefferson Parish).
*Laketown – A park built where Williams Boulevard hits Lake Pontchartrain. It features a boat launch, two piers, pavilions, a jogging/biking path, and a concession stand and bait house.
*Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport – New Orleans' international airport.
* Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner – one of the major hospitals in the New Orleans metro area.
*Pontchartrain Center – Opened in 1991, it is the second-largest convention center in the New Orleans metro area.
*Rivertown – The historic district located along the original main street of Old Kenner—where Williams Boulevard hits the Mississippi River. It features numerous museums, shops, and cultural resources. Highlights include the Rivertown Repertory Theatre, Kenner's Heritage Park, the Kenner Planetarium & MegaDome Cinema and the Rivertown Science Center (sponsored by Freeport McMoran), two fine dining establishments, and a cafe. Rivertown's Toy Train Museum closed in 2009.
*Treasure Chest Casino – Docked where Williams Boulevard hits Lake Pontchartrain, it is the only casino located in East Jefferson (the East Bank of Jefferson Parish).

Notable people

*Jon Batiste, musician, has a song ''I'm from Kenner''
*Aaron Broussard, former Jefferson Parish President, 2003-2010
* Chris Howard, NFL player
*Chris Kenner (1929-1976), R&B singer and songwriter
* Arthur Maulet, NFL player
* Edmond J. Muniz, former mayor of Kenner and captain of the Krewe of Endymion
*Lloyd Price, R&B vocalist known as "Mr. Personality"

References

External links

Official City of Kenner website

Kenner Police Department website

''Kenner Star''
Kenner's free monthly community newspaper

Kenner's Italian Heritage Festival

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Cities in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Cities in Louisiana
Louisiana populated places on the Mississippi River
Cities in the New Orleans metropolitan area
Hispanic and Latino American culture in Louisiana