Covington is a city in, and the parish seat of, St. Tammany Parish,

Louisiana Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a U.S. state, state in the Deep South and South Central United States, South Central regions of the United States. It is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 20th-smal ...

, United States. The population was 11,564 at the 2020 United States census. It is located at a fork of the Bogue Falaya and the Tchefuncte River. Covington is part of the

New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans

Metairie– Kenner

metropolitan statistical area In the United States, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are neither legally Incorporated town, incorporate ...

. Covington has played a large role in movie making over the past 20 years, with over 30 films

History

The earliest known settlement by

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located enti ...

ans in the area was in 1800 by Jacques Drieux, during the

British West Florida British West Florida was a colony of the Kingdom of Great Britain from 1763 until 1783, when it was ceded to Spain as part of the Peace of Paris. British West Florida comprised parts of the modern U.S. states of Louisiana, Mississippi, ...

period. In 1813, John Wharton Collins established a town with the name of Wharton. He is buried on the corner of the city cemetery directly across from the Covington Police Department. On March 11, 1816, the town of Wharton was renamed to that of Covington. There are conflicting stories about how the city came to be named Covington. Many historians believe the city was renamed for General Leonard Covington, a hero of the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It ...

. Covington was killed late in 1813, having established his home in the

Mississippi Territory The Territory of Mississippi was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from April 7, 1798, until December 10, 1817, when the western half of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Mississippi. ...

. Local historian Judge Steve Ellis floats another theory centered on the suggestion by Jesse Jones, a local attorney, that the city be named in honor of the Blue Grass whiskey---made in

Covington, Kentucky Covington is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States, located at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers. Cincinnati, Ohio, lies to its immediate north across the Ohio and Newport, to its east across the Licki ...

---enjoyed by town officials. In any case, Leonard Covington is the namesake of both towns. Originally, commerce was brought to Covington via boat up the Bogue Falaya River, which used the Tchefuncte River as a means of passage to and from

Lake Pontchartrain Lake Pontchartrain ( ) is an estuary located in southeastern Louisiana in the United States. It covers an area of with an average depth of . Some shipping channels are kept deeper through dredging. It is roughly oval in shape, about from wes ...

. Then in 1888, the

railroad Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...

came to town. Much of the former railroad right-of-way is now occupied by the Tammany Trace, a thirty-one mile bike trail running east and west through several communities on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain. In the late 20th century, with the expansion of Louisiana's road system, many people who worked in

New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (french: Chaussée du lac Pontchartrain), also known simply as The Causeway, is a fixed link composed of two parallel bridges crossing Lake Pontchartrain in southeastern Louisiana, United States. The longer of the ...

. With the expansion of the interstate system, Covington experienced a boom of growth. Many people moved to the Northshore for more affordable housing, larger lot size and a small town feeling. This is considered to be associated with

white flight White flight or white exodus is the sudden or gradual large-scale migration of white people from areas becoming more racially or ethnoculturally diverse. Starting in the 1950s and 1960s, the terms became popular in the United States. They refer ...

out of New Orleans, though the

Jefferson Parish Jefferson may refer to: Names * Jefferson (surname) * Jefferson (given name) People * Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), third president of the United States * Jefferson (footballer, born 1970), full name Jefferson Tomaz de Souza, Brazilian foo ...

area saw the most expansion during that period.

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina made landfall near Slidell, but Covington was sufficiently elevated to escape the massive storm surge; however, the city suffered devastating wind damage. Following the storm, Covington, along with the rest of the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, experienced a population boom as a result of many former inhabitants of New Orleans, its south shore suburbs, and its west bank suburbs being forced to move out of their storm-ravaged homes. The city's population continues to grow.

Geography

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy An economy is an area of th ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is land and , or 2.60%, is water.

Neighborhoods

The city is divided into many subdivisions. Notable ones include the communities of: West 30s, West 20s, Ozone, Tchefuncta Country Club, Covington Country Club, Downtown Covington, as well as Barkley Parc./

Vegetation

Covington is rich in native plant species because of its diversity in habitats. Native plants include:

Lemonade berry ''Rhus integrifolia'', also known as lemonade sumac, lemonade berry, or lemonadeberry, is a shrub to small tree. It is native to the Transverse Ranges, Transverse and Peninsular Ranges and the South Coast (California), South Coast regions of S ...

Virginia Willow ''Itea virginica'', commonly known as Virginia willow or Virginia sweetspire, is a small North American flowering shrub that grows in low-lying woods and wetland margins. Virginia willow is a member of the Iteaceae family, and native to the southe ...

, century plant,

Cream wild indigo Cream is a dairy product composed of the higher-fat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization. In un-homogenized milk, the fat, which is less dense, eventually rises to the top. In the industrial production of cream, this process ...

, elderberry,

boysenberry The boysenberry is a cross between the European raspberry ('' Rubus idaeus''), European blackberry (''Rubus fruticosus''), American dewberry ('' Rubus aboriginum''), and loganberry (''Rubus'' × ''loganobaccus''). It is a large aggregate fr ...

and

huckleberry Huckleberry is a name used in North America for several plants in the family Ericaceae, in two closely related genera: ''Vaccinium'' and ''Gaylussacia''. The huckleberry is the state fruit of Idaho. Nomenclature The name 'huckleberry' is a Nort ...

Awards and Recognition

Covington has earned the 2nd Best City to Live In Louisiana according to the Chamber of Commerce / The Covington Bicentennial Parade 2013 earned Covington a 2nd place statewide award for community achievement for outstanding community improvement in economic development. /

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 11,564 people, 3,710 households, and 2,546 families residing in the city. In 2010, the population of Covington was 8,765. At the 2000 United States census, there were 8,483 people, 3,258 households, and 2,212 families residing in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical ...

was 1,248.0 people per square mile (481.7/km²). As of 2010, there were 3,565 housing units at an average density of 524.5 per square mile (202.4/km²). In 2000, the racial makeup of the city was 77.45%

White White is the lightness, lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully diffuse reflection, reflect and scattering, scatter all the ...

, 20.17%

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...

, 0.33% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.04%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of Ocea ...

, 0.25% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...

or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population. In 2019, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 77.6% White, 18.9% Black and African American, 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.6% some other race, and 2.3% two or more races. At the 2000 U.S. census, there were 3,258 households, out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...

living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.10. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $36,949, and the median income for a family was $50,332. Males had a median income of $36,434 versus $23,859 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the city was $21,438. About 11.8% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those age 65 or over. The 2019 American Community Survey determined the city had a median income of $71,548 and poverty rate of 13.4%.

Economy

The Covington Market Square, a popular community gathering place in the center of the city, is home to many businesses, including Starbucks, The Southern Hotel, Toad Hollow, The English Tea Room and Eatery, and the Covington Branch of the St. Tammany Parish Library. The city is home to Zen-Noh Grain Corporation, a subsidiary of the Japanese cooperative Zen-Noh. as well as the satellite communications company that operates a low Earth orbit satellite constellation,

Globalstar Globalstar, Inc. is an American satellite communications company that operates a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation for satellite phone and low-speed data communications. The Globalstar second-generation constellation consists of 24 lo ...

Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights is the oldest and largest manufacturer of handmade, hand-riveted copper lanterns in the United States.Tulane National Primate Research Center The Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC) is a federally funded biomedical research facility affiliated with Tulane University. The TNPRC is one of seven National Primate Research Centers which conduct biomedical research on primates. The ...

, a federally funded biomedical research facility affiliated with

Tulane University Tulane University, officially the Tulane University of Louisiana, is a private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded as the Medical College of Louisiana in 1834 by seven young medical doctors, it turned into a comprehensive pu ...

, is situated on 500 acres of land in Covington.

Points of interest

A statue of Ronald Reagan on a base is reputed to be the world's largest of the former president. The Covington trail head is the start of Tammany Trace, a 31-mile paved

rails-to-trails A rail trail is a shared-use path on railway right of way. Rail trails are typically constructed after a railway has been abandoned and the track has been removed, but may also share the right of way with active railways, light rail, or streetca ...

path for hikers and bicyclists, which connects Covington with Mandeville, Abita Springs, Lacombe and Slidell.

Education

St. Tammany Parish Public Schools St. Tammany Parish Public Schools is a public school district serving the children of St. Tammany Parish, located along the Northshore banks of Lake Pontchartrain in southeast Louisiana, United States. The district's Central Office is located in ...

operates public schools in Covington. * Covington High School (9-12) * Pitcher Junior High School (7-8) * Pine View Middle School (4-6) * Covington Elementary School (K-3) * Lyon Elementary School (K-3) Lee Road Junior High School has a Covington address but is outside the city limits and not serving any portion of the city. Private schools * Northlake Christian School

Golf

Covington Louisiana, and the surrounding areas are a main hub for golfing attracting many visitors per month year round. Notable golf courses include:

Notable people

* Christian Bogle, racing driver *

Peggy Dow Peggy Dow (born Peggy Josephine Varnadow; March 18, 1928) is an American philanthropist and retired actress who had a brief career in Hollywood had Universal Studios starring in films during the Golden Age Era in the early 1950s. She is perhap ...

(Peggy Varnadow Helmerich), film actress and philanthropist, lived much of her childhood in Covington * Frank Burton Ellis, state senator (1940–1944), U.S. District Court judge, 1962–1965 *

Dave Fortman Dave Fortman (born July 11, 1967) is an American record producer and musician. He is the guitarist for rock band Ugly Kid Joe, and has worked with bands such as Superjoint Ritual, Snot, Atomship, Eyehategod, Mudvayne, Otep, Slipknot (on the ...

, guitarist for the band

Ugly Kid Joe Ugly Kid Joe is an American hard rock band from Isla Vista, California, formed in 1989. The band's name spoofs the glam metal band Pretty Boy Floyd's name. To date, Ugly Kid Joe have released five full-length albums, two compilation albums an ...

and current American music producer, graduated from Covington High School *

Elizabeth Futral Susan Elizabeth Futral (born September 27, 1963 in Johnston County, North Carolina) is an American coloratura soprano who has won acclaim (as both singer and actress) throughout the United States as well as in Europe, South America, and Japan. ...

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a libre ...

soprano reared in Covington. Her father was minister of the Covington First

Baptist Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christianity, Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete Immersion baptism, immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe ...

Church for many years. * Daniel F. Galouye, science fiction writer *

Katherine Haik Katherine Olivia Haik ( ; born May 9, 2000) is an American model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Teen USA 2015. At age 15, she was the youngest contestant to ever be crowned Miss Teen USA as well as the second entrant from ...

, Miss Teen USA 2015 *

Robert Higgs Robert Higgs (born 1 February 1944) is an American economic historian and economist combining material from Public Choice, the New institutional economics, and the Austrian school of economics; and describes himself as a " libertarian anarch ...

, economist. Lived in Covington for several years. *

Pete Maravich Peter Press Maravich ( ; June 22, 1947 – January 5, 1988), known by his nickname Pistol Pete, was an American professional basketball player. Maravich was born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, and raised i ...

, NBA all-star, lived in Covington until his death in 1988 *

Walker Percy Walker Percy, OSB (May 28, 1916 – May 10, 1990) was an American writer whose interests included philosophy and semiotics. Percy is noted for his philosophical novels set in and around New Orleans; his first, '' The Moviegoer'', won the N ...

, author and essayist, lived in Covington until his death in 1990 *

Harry Reeks Harry Del Reeks (May 23, 1920 – January 15, 1982) was an American landscape painter and combat artist for the United States Marine Corps. Early life and work Harry Reeks was born in Covington, Louisiana. His father, John F. Reeks, was an arti ...

, landscape painter and combat artist for the

U.S. Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through comb ...

. *

Leon Rene Leon, Léon (French) or León (Spanish) may refer to: Places Europe * León, Spain, capital city of the Province of León * Province of León, Spain * Kingdom of León, an independent state in the Iberian Peninsula from 910 to 1230 and again fro ...

, songwriter * Amy Serrano, filmmaker, poet, essayist, and humanitarian *

Amanda Shaw Amanda Christian Amaya-Shaw (born August 2, 1990) is an American Cajun fiddler, singer, and actress from Mandeville, Louisiana. She was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2020. Musical training Shaw received some of her early mu ...

, Cajun fiddler, singer, and actress *

Ian Somerhalder Ian Joseph Somerhalder (born December 8, 1978) is an American actor. He is known for playing Boone Carlyle in the TV drama ''Lost'', Damon Salvatore in The CW's supernatural drama ''The Vampire Diaries'', and Dr. Luther Swann in Netflix's sci- ...

, actor and model, born in Covington *

Stephen Stills Stephen Arthur Stills (born January 3, 1945) is an American musician, singer and songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. As both a solo act and member of two successful bands, Stills has c ...

, musician *

Hank Stram Henry Louis Stram (; January 3, 1923 – July 4, 2005) was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NF ...

, NFL Hall of Fame Coach. Lived in Covington until his death in July 2005 *

Lauren Turner Lauren Turner (born May 8, 1986) is an American singer and songwriter from New Orleans, Louisiana. Turner placed in the top 12 girls on the tenth season of '' American Idol''. Early life Turner was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, was raised ...

, singer/songwriter,

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to A ...

contestant season 10, graduated from Covington High School *

Greta Valenti Greta Valenti is an American entrepreneur and artist. She is a documentary filmmaker, producer of the television show ''Live From Daryl's House'', founder and CEO of Grow Vision creative studios, and the lead singer of the bands Beaux Gris Gris ...

, television producer * Theo Von, comedian, grew up in Covington

Movies filmed in Covington

* 1995 — '' Dead Man Walking'' * 1995 — '' Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long'' * 1997 — '' Eve's Bayou'' * 2005 — ''

Local Color Local color/colour may refer to: * ''Local Color'' (book), a 1950 note and sketch study by Truman Capote * ''Local Color'' (Mose Allison album), 1958 * ''Local Color'' (University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band One album), 2015 * ''Local Color'' (film ...

'' * 2008 — '' The Yellow Handkerchief'' * 2009 — '' I Love You Phillip Morris'' * 2010 — ''

The Pregnancy Pact ''The Pregnancy Pact'' is a 2010 American teen drama television film directed by Rosemary Rodriguez and starring Thora Birch, Madisen Beaty, and Camryn Manheim, based on the allegedly true story of a 2008 media circus surrounding a large group of ...

'' * 2012 — '' The Lucky One'' * 2013 — '' Beautiful Creatures'' * 2014 — ''

American Ultra ''American Ultra'' is a 2015 American action comedy film directed by Nima Nourizadeh and written by Max Landis. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Topher Grace, Connie Britton, Walton Goggins, John Leguizamo, Bill Pullman, and Ton ...

'' * 2015 — ''Joe Dirt 2 * 2019 — '' The Highwaymen''

References

External links

City of Covington official website

Covington Business Association

''Inside Northside'' special issue, ''Covington 1813–2013''
{{authority control Cities in Louisiana Cities in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Cities in the New Orleans metropolitan area Parish seats in Louisiana Populated coastal places in Louisiana