| Researching in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana | |
 |
TERREBONNE PARISH TODAY |
| Terrebonne Parish, the second largest parish in Louisiana,
is located in the South Central portion of the state
on the westbank of the Mississippi River. New Orleans is just a short drive to the east and the historically Evangeline country is to the west. To the south of Terrebonne Parish are the oil and gas fields as well as the shrimp, fish and oyster-filled Gulf of Mexico. The state capital, Baton Rouge and the industrialized areas along the Mississippi River are to the north. For many years, the people of Terrebonne Parish made their
living from the earth. In the second decade of the 20th century, natural
gas was found in the parish. The next decade brought oil wells.
This meant a period of unsurpassed economic development to this area. From
that period until the early 1980's the economy of
The people of Terrebonne Parish today still depend in
some ways on the oil and gas related industries. In
COMMUNITY PROFILE Terrebonne Parish is located 57 miles southwest of New
Orleans and is the second largest Parish in
Terrebonne Parish has a total population of 96,982 persons.
Approximately 23% are minority. A total of
Excerpts from
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Community Planning and Development Consolidated Plan Executive Summary |
Main Page | History | Libraries | Courthouse | Churches | Cemeteries | Censuses | Maps | Newspapers | Terrebonne Today
From The Terrebonne Parish Sales & Use Tax Department
Houma, the parish seat of Terrebonne
Parish, LA, is situated on the Intracoastal Canal (which spans from St.
Marks, FL to Brownsville, TX) and connected directly to the Gulf of Mexico
by the Houma Navigation Canal. This 36 mile channel is 16' deep with a
top width of 300' and a bottom width of 150' and provides access to the
center of vast petroleum production.
At the intersection of U.S.
Highway 90 and LA Hwy. 24 the distance from Houma to principal cities
is:
Alexandria, LA 192, Atlanta, GA 550, Baton Rouge,
LA 83, Chicago, IL 944, Lake Charles, LA 176, Dallas, TX 491,
Lafayette, LA 108, Houston, TX 341, Monroe, LA 267, Memphis,
TN 454, New Orleans, LA 57, New York, NY. 1,383,
Shreveport, LA 316, St. Louis, MO 752
LAND AND TOPOGRAPHY
• The area of City of Houma within corporate limits is
17 sq. miles.
• The area of Terrebonne Parish is 2100 sq. miles 1008
sq. miles land and 1092 sq. miles water). It is the
second largest parish in land area in Louisiana
• Altitude in the parish ranges approximately 0' to 12'
above sea level.
• Altitude in the city ranges from 0 to 12' above sea
level.
• The parish is situated roughly 29 degrees 36 minutes
0 seconds N latitude and 90 degrees 43
minutes 30 seconds W longitude.
• Topography ranges from prairie and wooded lands in
the northern part, to bayous, lakes and salt
marshes in the southern section. The terrain is flat
and level.
POPULATION
(According to the U. S. Census reports, Terrebonne Parish ranks 10th in the state)
U. S. CENSUS CITY URBANIZED PARISH HOUMA-THIBODAUX
1940 9,052 AREA 35,830 MSA
1950 11,505 43,328 HOUMA MSA *
1960 22,347 60,432
1961 New Incorp. 29,772
1970 30,922 76,049
1980 32,602 65,780 94,393 185,493
1990 30,495 65,879 96,982 182,842
1992 (Includes Terrebonne & Lafourche Parishes) 183,100
*
Terrebonne Parish Population Characteristics:
77% White, 17% Black, .7% Asian, 3% Amer.Indian, 1.4%
Hispanic, 9% Other
GOVERNMENT
• The Houma-Terrebonne area is governed by the Terrebonne
Parish Consolidated Government which
consists of a parish president and fifteen parish council
members.
• Zoning - City of Houma is controlled by a zoning commission
and zoning ordinance.
1992 WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HOUMA, LA. AS SUPPLIED BY U.S.D.A.
MONTH RAINFALL (IN.) AVG. TEMPERATURE F
January 11.96 50.0
February 10.16 58.2
March 5.08 61.3
April 2.22 66.0
May 2.97 72.3
June 6.75 79.4
July 8.63 81.3
August 12.63 78.6
September 5.90 77.1
October 0.68 68.4
November 11.72 57.1
December 5.52 57.7
TOTAL 84.22 67.3 AVERAGE
PREVAILING WINDS: Easterly
UTILITIES
• City water supply is municipally owned. Water is supplied
to commercial and residential customers of
the City of Houma and to Waterworks Dist. 2 and 3. The
City of Houma has approvimately 6,926 water
meters; the rural water distribution system has approximately
26,309 water meters.
1. Raw water is obtained from the Intracoastal
Waterway and Bayou Black Reservoir. Maximum rated
capacity of the City of Houma's two water plants is 12
million gallons per day.
2. Three ground storage tanks, two with
a capacity of 1.5 million gallons each and one with 1 million
gallon capacity. Total capacity is 4 million gallons.
3. Three elevated storage tanks:
a) Dumas Park - 500,000 gallon
capacity
b) Legion Park - 250,000 gallon
capacity
c) Airbase Tower - 250,000 gallon
capacity
4. Two clear wells for storage; one with
1 million gallon capacity and the other with 140,000 gallon
capacity.
5. This makes a total storage capacity of
6,140,000 gallons.
• Power Plant and Electric Distribution: The City of
Houma has a municipal electric system serving
approximately 8,611 customers of which 10% are outside
of the city limits. The city serves
approximately 2/3 of the residents of the city with the
remainder being served by either Louisiana
Power and Light Company (21,271 customers) or South Louisiana
Electric Cooperative Association
(9,593 customers). The municipal power plant has an operation
capacity of 96,000 kilowatts and is
interconnected with LP&L through a 115KV transmission
line.
• Natural Gas: Municipally owned urban gas distribution
system serves approximately 11,620
residential gas customers. The average daily consumption
is 16 million cubic feet. The (rural) gas
distribution system serves approximately 2,424 customers.
The average daily consumption is 250 MCF.
Operation and maintenance of the gas systems is consolidated.
CITY AUDITORIUMS
• The Houma Municipal Auditorium seats 2,000 and has six
private meeting rooms with folding doors
open to provide spacious rooms for large audiences. A
vertical central sound system and a piano are
provided.
• Dumas Auditorium seats a capacity of 800 and has a
removable stage and a central sound system. It
also has a library branch.
AVIATION
• The Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission is the nearest
airport in the parish. It features two lighted
runways, 5,000' each, with a concrete surface. It offers
all types fuel and has a full ILS control tower.
The Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission boasts an aviation/industrial
complex of 1,800 acres.
Ninety percent is oilfield related, producing some 120
leases and a flying operation dominated by a
busy helicopter oilfield support shuttle.
• Unlimited potential exists for aviation and industrial
development with direct flight line and parking
apron access available off of 600 leasable acres. The
airport's impact on the parish is approximately
$135 million annually, producing a gross payroll of $35
million and employing approximately 1,400
people.
• The airport is listed in the current National Ocean
Service Airport/Facility Directory, South Central
Edition, and boasts a full instrument landing system.
Three FBO's provide the full range of aviation
service resulting in approximately 100,000 aircraft movements
per year, placing Houma as one of the
busiest airports in Louisiana.
BUS/DELIVERY SERVICE
• The Greyhound Bus Lines provide Houma and Terrebonne
Parish with four daily departures; Express
Courier Service, Inc., United Parcel Service, Express
Mail (U.S. Postal Service), Greyhound Package
Express and Federal Express also serve the area.
CHURCHES
• There are 19 Catholic churches, 3 Catholic chapels and
82 non-Catholic Churches in the parish which
include the following denominations: Assemblies of God,
Baptist, Independent Baptist, Southern
Baptist, Christian, Church of Christ, Church of God,
Church of God of Prophecy, Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints, Episcopal, Full Gospel,
Holiness, Jehovah's Witness, Lutheran, Methodist,
Pentecostal, Pentecostal Holiness, Presbyterian, USA
Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist, United
Pentecostal, 2 non-denominational churches and 3 interdenominational
churches.
COMMUNICATIONS
• South Central Bell Telephone Company provides local
service to 41,500 subscribers in the parish.
There are five long distance companies offering service
in the area: Allnet Long Distance, AT&T, Long
Distance Savers, South Central Bell Telephone Company
and U.S. Sprint.
• Telegraph service is furnished by Western Union Company.
• Post offices include one main post office in Houma
with 2 first-class sub-stations and 8 post offices
throughout the parish.
TERREBONNE PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
• The Terrebonne Parish School Board office is located
at 201 Stadium Drive, telephone (504) 876-7400.
All students have to be pre-registered through this office
before attending school in the parish for the
first time. Where you live will determine what school
your child will attend. Kindergarten classes are
part of the public school system. Pre-school age children
are offered classes by several nursery and
kindergarten groups. The value of public school property
for the 1992-93 term was $176,000,000.
• There are 44 public schools in Terrebonne Parish: 4
senior high schools, 3 junior high schools, 30
elementary and middle schools, 5 special schools, 1 vocational
technical school and 1 alternative
secondary school.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
• There are 8 private schools in Terrebonne Parish. Five
of these are Catholic schools: Vanderbilt
Catholic High (8-12); Maria Immacolata (PS,PK,K-7); St.
Bernadette (PS,PK,K-7); St. Francis de Sales
(PS,PK,K-7); St. Gregory (PS,PK,K-7). The non-Catholic
schools include: St. Matthews Episcopal (4 yr.
olds, PK-7); Friendswood Christian Academy (Pentecostal)
(3 yr. olds, PS,PK,K-12) and Houma
Christian School (Non-Denominational) (K-12).
NUMBER OF STUDENTS REGISTERED IN A TEN YEAR SPAN
PUBLIC PRIVATE TOTAL PUBLIC PRIVATE TOTAL
1982-83 21,427 2,866 24,293 1988-89 21,303 2,426 23,729
1983-84 20,907 2,859 23,766 1989-90 20,771 2,639 23,410
1984-85 21,000 2,796 23,796 1990-91 20,300 2,910 23,210
1985-86 21,029 2,798 23,827 1991-92 20,500 2,515 23,015
1986-87 21,163 2,800 23,963 1992-93 20,600 2,488 23,088
1987-88 21,261 2,722 23,983 1993-94 20,500 3,014 23,614
Teachers 1990-91 1,200 163 1,363
1993-94 1,200 179 1,379
SOUTH LOUISIANA REGIONAL-TECHNICAL INSTITUTE (SLRTI)
201 St. Charles Street, Houma,
(504) 857-3655, (504) 857-3659
• SLRTI offers training in ten programs: Air Conditioning/Refrigeration;
Automotive Technician; Diesel
Mechanics; Drafting and Design Technology; Industrial
Electronics; Industrial Machine Shop; Office
Occupations (two courses offered: Accounting Technician,
Information Processing Technician);
Practical Nursing; Welding; and the Marine Department.
The Marine Department prepares individuals
for work in the maritime industry. The courses include
upgrading courses to assist experienced
mariners in obtaining the required marine documents and
licenses from the U. S. Coast Guard. SLRTI
also has the capability of offering Quick-Start and other
programs in response to the demands of
industry.
VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
#1 Sayre Road, Houma Air Base,
(504) 851-1163
• The school offers training in Auto Body Repair, Automotive
Technology, Carpentry, Drafting,
Electricity, Electronics, Food Service, Health Occupation,
Diesel Mechanics, Marine Operations,
Outdoor Power Equipment Technician and, Welding.
TERREBONNE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION CENTER
#3 Sayre Road, Houma Air Base,
(504) 851-0558
• This is a school operating in conjunction with the Terrebonne
Parish school system's alternative to
regular placement for mild mentally handicapped students
age 16 through 21. Vocational training is
offered on a one-half day basis in auto mechanics, building
maintenance, carpentry, occupational foods,
home economics, plumbing and welding. The facility also
provides vocational assessment and guidance
services. Academics are provided at the student's regular
home base high school.
T.A.R.C. SCHOOL, TARC INDUSTRIES, TARC RESIDENTIAL
(Terrebonne Association for
Retarded Citizens) #1 McCord Road, Houma Air Base, (504) 876-4465
• TARC is designed to serve infants and children through
21 years of age and lower functioning adult
clients. Children ages 3 through 21 must be referred
by the Special Education office (711 Grinage St.,
(504) 851-1550); all others may apply at the TARC office.
TARC offers an early intervention program,
preschool activities and a school program for children.
TARC Industries offers supported work in
various settings, including community placements. TARC
Residential offers community living
arrangements as well as respite care.
LOUISIANA UNIVERSITIES MARINE CONSORTIUM (LUMCON)
8124 Hwy. 56, Chauvin, LA 70344
(504) 851-2800
• LUMCON is an organization of thirteen state universities
and higher education management boards. It
was formed under joint agreement and legislative act
to provide coastal research facilities,
marine-related instruction and public service for Louisiana
citizens. The consortium has constructed a
Coastal Center capable of supporting continuous research
and education programs, such as available in
other coastal states. For further information write to
LUMCON or call the telephone number listed
above.
NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY
900 East 1st St., LA. Hwy. 1,
P. O. Box 2010, Thibodaux, LA. 70310 (504) 446-8111
• The university is located in the City of Thibodaux,
Lafourche Parish about 16 miles from Houma.
Nicholls is an accredited member of the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools, and is a quality,
regional university serving South Central Louisiana enrolling
about 7,500 students in its 80 degree
programs.
ENTERTAINMENT
• Houma has 3 motion picture theaters with a total of
10 movie screens and a total seating capacity of
3900. There are 3 bowling alleys with a total of 92 lanes,
2 roller skating rinks, 2 private golf courses
and 1 municipal golf course and 6 health clubs in Houma.
• The Wildlife Gardens features a walk through the swamp
and an authentic trapper's cabin. There are
native plants and flowers from South Louisiana and rare
species of ducks, birds and other animals. Six
swamp, 1 marsh, 5 land, 1 air and 1 walking tour are
located in the area.
• Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne, located at 301 East
Main St., is a non-professional theater group and
has approximately 900 members. Local talent is used to
produce an average of 5 plays per year.
• Waterland USA, Inc. waterpark features two 350' long
slides located on a 52' tower and one slide that is
32' high and on a 53 degree angle, a kiddie activity
pool and an 18 hole mini golf course.
• Southdown Plantation/Terrebonne Museum, located at
the corner of St. Charles St. and La. Hwy.311, is
a brick home with 21 rooms and the collections displayed
includes 135 Boehm and Doughty porcelain
birds, rotating exhibits, fine arts display, a re-creation
of U. S. Senator Allen J. Ellender's private office
in Washington D.C., original bedroom furniture of the
Minor family, a Mardi Gras Room and a
Terrebonne Parish Oral History Room.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
The main library, located at 424 Roussell Street in Houma,
has a total of 245,480 volumes, 329
paintings, 1695 long-playing records, 322 microfilms,
182 magazines, 9 newspapers, 291 film strips, 22
(16 mm) films, and 960 video cassette tapes. The main
library, with its 8 branch libraries throughout the
parish has a total annual circulation of 293,351.
NEWS MEDIA
The Courier, an affiliate of The New York Times Company,
is published Monday through Friday and
Sunday by The Houma Courier Newspaper Corp. at 3030 Barrow
St. in Houma, phone (504) 879-1557.
The newspaper has a circulation of approximately 23,000.
The Bayou Catholic is published weekly with a guaranteed
mail delivery distribution of 22,000. The
office is located at 1801 Highway 311 (504) 868-7720.
RADIO STATIONS & BROADCASTING COMPANIES
KHOM FM 104 is locally owned and broadcasts 24 hours daily
with 100,000 watts of power from its
2,000 foot tower and features an "Oldies" format with
the greatest hits of the '50s, '60s and '70s, as
well as local newscasts and NBC network news. Locally
owned KTIB AM 64 serves
Houma-Terrebonne 24 hours a day with 5,000 watts of power.
The station specializes in local news,
weather and sports primarily in the mornings and every
hour, on the hour.
KCIL FM is C-107, a 24-hour contemporary country music
station at 107.5 on your dial. Local news,
weekend countdown shows and back to back Bayou Country
favorites. KJIN AM 1490 features Cajun
music 7AM - 9AM Tuesday through Fridays. Local news and
the Swap Shop are also heard on KJIN
AM.
HTV - Martin Folse Productions, Inc., locally owned and
operated, (on Cable Station 10) reaches the
Tri-Parish Area including Terrebonne, Lafourche and St.
Mary parishes. HTV provides all local
television programming for the three cable systems in
the Tri-Parish System including news, sports,
outdoors, medical and other community interest programs.
CABLE TV SYSTEMS
Vision Cable of Houma and Helicon Cablevision of Louisiana serve the area.
HOUMA RECREATION
The Houma Recreation Department is directed and guided
by the Houma Athletic Recreation Council
(HARC) and meets once a month to make recommendations
to the Parish Council. To contact HARC
call Don Schwab at (504) 873-6584, or write to P. O.
Box 2768, Houma, LA 70361.
There are 12 city parks ranging in size from 1 acre to
35 acres. Most are equipped with B-B-Q pits,
tables and playground equipment.
There is 1 municipally owned swimming pool in Houma: East
Houma Swimming Pool, located on
Boundary Road (Houma Airbase).
There are 2 well equipped recreation centers with facilities
for all types of recreation: East Houma
(504) 873-6584, and West Houma (504) 873-6497. Twelve
lighted baseball and softball parks are
located throughout the city. Approximately 500 boys and
girls compete in 6 leagues during the summer
months: Babe Ruth League and 5 Dixie Youth Leagues.
There are 8 Bantam Football teams for boys between the
ages of 10 and 13 years of age; and 6
basketball leagues franchised with the Jr. Pro Program
for boys and girls from 7 to 15 years of age.
There are 13 tennis courts, 5 on Williams Avenue; and
8 at the East Houma Recreation Center (Houma
Airbase).
Adult programs include tennis lessons, volleyball, softball, square dancing and clogging.
ADULT SOFTBALL COMPLEX
The City has an Adult Softball Complex with 4 lighted
softball diamonds located at the airbase. Some 30
to 40 teams play in the league. Tournaments may be held
every weekend through the months of March
through August. The complex is furnished with restroom
facilities, aluminum bleachers seating
approximately 400, and a modern concession stand.
TERREBONNE PARISH RECREATION
The recreation programs are provided through the leadership
and cooperation of the Terrebonne Parks
and Recreation Board and various recreation committees
throughout the parish. TPR plans and directs
the programs and activities throughout the Parish of
Terrebonne. Volunteer committees work to service
some 20 communities throughout the parish to provide
various social and cultural activities suitable for
all ages. As well as being an enthusiastic athletic program,
it has contributed immeasurably to the
wholesome development of leisure recreation in our parish.
For more information call Don Schwab,
Director, (504) 873-6584, or write to P. O. Box 2768,
Houma, LA 70361.
SUMMER PROGRAMS - for boys and girls there are baseball/softball
programs for youths ages 5
through 18 years; adult softball for men and women ages
18 years and up; summer playground for
children ages 5 through 12 years,; tennis for all ages,
various instructional classes and a summer camp
for the handicapped.
FALL PROGRAMS - Adult volleyball for men and women ages
18 years and older, men's flag football,
youth bantam football for boys ages 9 through 14 years,
youth volleyball for girls ages 8 through 14,
arts and crafts, Halloween and fall youth soccer leagues
for boys and girls ages 4 through 15 years.
WINTER PROGRAMS - Basketball for boys and girls ages 6
through 18 years, adult basketball for
men 18 years and older, adult volleyball for men and
women ages 18 years and older, holiday movies
and parties.
SPRING PROGRAMS - Tennis for adults and youths ages 8
years and older, volleyball for men and
women, Easter parties, carnival balls for children and
youth soccer for boys and girls ages 4 through 15
years.
YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS - Ladies exercise classes, karate,
art classes, pre-teen dances, fishing
rodeos, family fun days, ceramic classes and various
instructional classes.
The recreation districts also provide the following for
the people residing in their areas: 5 swimming
pools, 13 equipped playgrounds, 6 playfields, 30 tennis
courts, 16 recreation facilities, 32 ball fields, 3
football fields and 1 multi-purpose field. The parish
recreation program also provides one campground
and park with a volleyball court, play area for children,
50 spots for tent camping and 71 trailer
hook-ups at the Grand Bois Park, located on the Bourg-LaRose
Highway (La. Hwy. 24). Telephone at
Grand Bois Park is (504) 594-7410.
TRUCKING - MOTOR FREIGHT
There are four motor freight lines operating in and through
Houma which include Louisiana
Transporters, Inc.; Luciano Refrigerated Transport, Saia
Motor Freight Line, Inc. and Yellow Freight
Systems.
RAIL SERVICE
L & D Railroad and Southern Pacific Railroad at Schriever
Junction - piggyback and switching service
5 days a week.
MEDICAL
Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC), located at 936
East Main Street (504-873-4141), has
been serving this region's health care needs since 1954.
The medical center has accommodations for
261 licensed beds. With the opening of its new facility
in 1984, TGMC rapidly developed into one of
Louisiana's most advanced medical centers. Committed
to providing the latest in medical technology,
services include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), two
of the most advanced cardiac catherization
labs in the country; a 20-bed physical medicine and rehabilitation
center; and the area's most
comprehensive cancer center. Accredited by the Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations, TGMC also serves a a training center for
nursing students; allied health care
professionals; and physicians.
TGMC's cardiology program has received national acclaim,
serving as an investigational center and
pioneering many new technologies. TGMC now treats cardiology
patients from around the country and
worldwide, and in 1990 received recognition from the
United States Senate for its innovative healthcare
delivery system. Through a recent affiliation with the
Clinical Community Oncology Program (CCOP),
TGMC also provides area cancer patients access to the
latest therapies and investigational treatments.
TGMC's mission remains steadfast: "Terrebonne General
Medical Center, (as a public non-profit
hospital), exists to establish; maintain; and operate
health care facilities; services; and programs in
which sick and well individuals may be treated through
conducting health services; scientific research;
education; and other activities associated with the provision
of high quality medical care to residents
primarily from Terrebonne; Lafourche; St. Mary; and Assumption
Parishes".
Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center (LJCMC) is located at
1978 Industrial Boulevard (504) 873-2200,
was officially dedicated on September 9, 1978. It operates
with 201 licensed beds and is fully accredited
by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals.
As a teaching facility, LCMC provides
clinical training and experience for 50 residents assigned
on a rotational basis by the Ochsner
Foundation. The totally integrated medical facility combines
the area's finest surgical, maternity,
intensive care, orthopedic, urology, ophthalmology, cancer
treatment, coronary, pediatric, emergency
and psychiatric units to provide the best medical care
to inpatient and outpatient residents of
Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption, West St. James and
East St. Mary Parishes.
Bayou Oaks Hospital, located at 945 East Main Street,
(504) 876-2020, is a licensed 98-bed private
psychiatric and chemical dependency facility serving
eight south Louisiana parishes. The Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals has awarded
Bayou Oaks full accreditation, which means it
meets and exceeds the standards to provide high quality
care. The hospital provides separate programs
for children, adolescents and adults in both in-patient
and out-patient settings. Specialized programs for
chronic pain and women's issues provide therapeutic opportunities
for appropriate patients. The
Talkline, 1-800-872-1888, provides 24-hour information
and assistance, as well as an assessment, at no
charge.
There are 89 physicians and 39 dentists in Terrebonne
Parish. There are 4 nursing homes in Houma
with a total of 543 patient beds: Mason De'Ville has
105 beds, Southdown Care Center has 198 beds,
Heritage Manor has 120 beds and Evangeline Village Nursing
Home has 120 beds. Houma has 7
medical and surgical clinics, a regional mental health
clinic and a parish health unit.
Houma Dialysis Unit is located at 108 Picone St., (behind
LCMC) (504) 868-8187, and has 11 high
efficiency, high flux kidney dialysis machines to serve
the people of Terrebonne Parish and the
surrounding area.
ANIMAL PRODUCTION
The total gross farm value for all animal products in
1992 was $2,036,036. This figure includes the
following species: cattle and calves, horses, poultry,
ostrich and/or ratite, swine.
FISHERIES PRODUCTION - 1990
The following information is for shrimp landed in Terrebonne
parish for all purposes. These figures are
compiled by the LSU Cooperative Extension Service, U.S.
Dept. of Agriculture (504-873-6488).
YEARLY TOTAL IN POUNDS
SHRIMP
1981 34,161,562 1985 21,711,018 1989 39,100,050
1982 28,661,687 1986 35,000,000 1990 41,563,953
1983 22,929,350 1987 38,156,142 1991 31,242,419
1984 16,000,000 1988 37,830,650 1992 26,340,500
MARINE FISHERIES:
SHRIMP: 3,475 producers of shrimp netted 26,340,500 lbs.
with a total gross farm value of
$46,095,875. OYSTERS: 500 producers landed 151,452 sacks
with a total gross farm value of
$2,120,328. CRABS: 475 producers caught 8,023,510 lbs.
with a total gross farm value of $2,175,100.
MENHADEN: 7 producers caught 100,000,000 lbs. with a
total gross farm value of $5,000,000.
COMMERCIAL FINFISH: 215 producers caught 4,205,150 lbs.
with a total gross farm value of
$6,307,725. The total gross farm value for all marine
fisheries in 1992 was $61,699,028.
FRESHWATER FISHERIES:
CRAWFISH: 10 producers caught 600,000 lbs. with a total
gross farm value of $330,000. CATFISH: 8
producers caught 10,000 lbs. with a total gross farm
value of $5,000. FISHBAIT: 14 producers caught
22,000 lbs. with a total gross farm value of $99,000.
The total gross farm value for all freshwater
fisheries in 1992 was $434,000.
WILDLIFE PRODUCTION
FUR ANIMALS
51,127 pelts were produced with a total gross farm value
of $167,798 and 27,120 lbs. of meat with a
total gross farm value of $12,200. The total gross farm
value (number of producers unavailable) for all
fur animals in 1992 was $179,998.
ALLIGATORS
4,460 alligator pelts (farm total) were produced with
a total gross farm value of $267,611 and 20,071 lbs.
of meat were produced with a total gross farm value of
$90,319. 4,453 alligator hides (wild total) were
produced with a total gross value of $747,638 and 146,945
pounds of meat were produced with a total
gross value of $661,252. The total gross value (3 farm
alligator producers, no number available for wild
alligator producers) for all alligators in 1992 was $1,766,820
(Wild Total: $1,408,390; Farm Total:
$357,930.
The total gross farm value for fisheries and wildlife production in 1992 was $64,079,846.
CROP PRODUCTION
The gross farm value for all crops in 1992 was $9,366,804.
There were 27 sugarcane producers working
a total of 8,800 acres who produced 280,280 tons of sugarcane
with a gross farm value of $6,166,160.
(This value for sugarcane represents the portion of the
total production, 61% that was received by
producers. The remainder, 39% was committed to mills
for processing). The gross farm value for the
following was: forestry $3,618, (total forestry stumpage
$1,507), fruits $5,775, feed grains $2,254, hay
(sold) $13,000, home gardens $1,867,500, soybeans $119,219,
sweet potatoes $3,500, vegetables
(commercial) $967,979. Support facilities for agriculture
include meat packers, food processors, farm
equipment and supply firms as well as repair facilities.
MINERALS IN TERREBONNE PARISH
Terrebonne Parish is the state's number two producer of
natural gas and condensate and ranks second
in condensate production, fourth in crude oil production,
and seventh in casing head gas production, all
of which means money in the pocket to local and state
government and citizens alike. Production figures
for 1990: crude oil, 5,280,043 barrels; natural gas,
147,154,008 mcs; condensate, 3,592,934 barrels; and
casing head gas, 6,555,081 mcs.
About 70% of Terrebonne's work force is employed either
directly or indirectly in the mineral industry -
exploration or production of petroleum or natural gas,
in marine towing companies, shipyards, dry
docks, machine and welding shops, in the offshore food
catering business, etc.
The first natural gas produced in Terrebonne was around
1920 by a locally owned company at Lirette
Field and was still producing in 1990. This gas supplied
the City of Houma for several years until salt
water in the well forced them to shut down. The City
of Houma has five producing wells.
The underground sources of oil in Terrebonne are miocane
and pliocene formations. Average
production depths range from 10,000 to 12,000 feet with
some shallow production from 2,000' to 4,000'
depths and miscellaneous production from various depths
between these figures. The first oil production
in Terrebonne Parish was brought in at the Lake Barre
and Lake Pelto fields in 1929. Caillou Island
field, discovered in 1930, is the largest producing field
in Terrebonne Parish. Terrebonne Parish
collected $27,198,953.10 in severance taxes for 1989-1990.
Rev. 9/91
HOUMA-TERREBONNE STATISTICAL INFORMATION
1996
DESCRIPTION
Terrebonne has a total area of 2100 sq. mi. - 1008 sq.
mi. land and 1092 sq. mi. water. It is located in
the south central portion of the state, bounded by the
Gulf of Mexico on the south, Lafourche Parish on
the north and east, and Assumption and St. Mary parishes
on the west. Like most of the southern
Louisiana parishes, it is composed of low, flat land
with a topography varying from prairies and wooden
areas about 12' above sea level in the northern part,
to bayous, lakes and salt marshes in the southern
section. The parish is situated roughly 29 degrees 36'0"
N latitude and 90 degrees 43' 30" longitude.
Terrebonne Parish is in the 32nd Judicial District; 6th
Supreme Court District; 20th Senatorial District;
3rd Congressional District; 1st Public Service Commission
District and the 1st Circuit Court of
Appeals, State of Louisiana.
POPULATION
1970
Census
1980
Census
1985
Estimate
1987
Estimate
1990
Census
1992
Estimate
1995
Estimate
Terrebonne Parish
76,049
94,393
* 101,900
* 98,977
96,982
*** 99.581
***100,485
Urbanized Area
* 65,780
* 71,024
** 68,301
** 65,879
** 67,715
** 67,862
City of Houma
30,922
* 32,602
*** 33,183
***
30,495
*** 30,946
*** 32,623
Houma-Thibodaux MSA 188,110 *U. S. Census Estimates **
Chamber Estimates *** Louisiana Tech
Estimate
Population Characteristics: 77% White; 17% Black;3% American
Indian; .7% Asian; 1.4% Hispanic,
.9% Other
LOCATION
Miles From
Houma
To:
New Orleans
57
Houston, TX
341
Baton Rouge
83
Dallas, TX
491
Lafayette
108
Atlanta, GA
550
Lake Charles
176
Memphis, TN
454
Alexandria
192
St. Louis, MO
752
Monroe
267
Chicago, IL
944
Shreveport
316
New York, NY
1383
CLIMATE - 1994
Avg. Summer Temp. .................68.3 Prevailing Winds..............Easterly
Inches of Rainfall .................
59.76
EDUCATION (1994-1995 Session)
Public Schools ........................................................................................ 44
Students Enrolled ........................................................................... 20,500
Teachers ........................................................................................... 1,220
Elementary & Middle Schools ............................................................. 31
Junior High Schools .............................................................................. 4
Senior High Schools ............................................................................. 4
Vocational-Technical Centers .............................................................. 1
Special Schools ...................................................................................... 5
Alternative Secondary Schools ............................................................ 1
Private Schools ................................................................................... 8
Students Enrolled ........................................................................... 3,147
Teachers ............................................................................................. 176
Universities: Nicholls State University
(in Thibodaux, 16 mi. from Houma)
LIBRARIES
Main Library....................................1 Branches .,...............................8
190,775 volumes, 417 film strips, 1,160 microfilms, 6 newspapers,
341 magazines and 1.567 video cassette tapes, 284 books on tape
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Banks ................................. 7 Savings & Loan ...................... 1
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Churches - Catholic ........................19 Non Catholic...........................82
Motels .........................................8 Total Rooms ........................751
Largest Meeting Room Holds ...........................................................5,000
Shopping Centers ...................20 Department Stores ................29
Shopping Malls...........................1 Approx. # Stores ...................80
COMMUNICATIONS
Newspapers
1 Daily ...................................................................................The Courier
1 Weekly ..................................................................The Bayou Catholic
Radio Stations & Broadcasting Companies
KCIL FM/KJIN AM Radio Stations
KHOM FM/KTIB AM & FM Radio Stations
HTV
Cable TV Systems.....................................................................................2
Vision Cable of Houma
Helicon Cablevision of Terrebonne
Telephone Companies
Allnet Long Distance Telephone Service, AT&T, Long Distance Savers,
MCI Telecommunications Corp., South Central Bell, U.S. Sprint
Post Offices
Houma has 1 main post office with 2 first class sub-stations and
8 post offices through Terrebonne Parish.
PUBLIC RECREATION FACILITIES
2 roller rinks, 1 golf course, 44 ball fields, 30 tennis courts,
2 auditoriums, 7 swimming pools, 25 parks, 3 bowling alleys,
1 historical museum, 3 movie theaters, 18 recreation centers,
1 little theater, 1 wildlife garden, 6 swamp tours, 5 land tours,
1 air tour, 1 walking tour, 1 water park, 1 putt putt golf, Y.M.C.A.
PRIVATE RECREATION FACILITIES
Bayou Bien, Ellendale Country Club, Southern Oaks Golf
Club, Renaissance II Health & Racquet Club
WATERWAYS
Nearest Navigable Waterways:
Intracoastal Waterway (Spans from St. Marks, FL to Brownsville,
TX); Houma Navigational Canal
(Provides direct access to the Gulf of Mexico)
Distance - Corporate limits - depth 15'
Public Barge Dock - New Orleans - 55 mi.
Deepwater Port - New Orleans
MEDICAL
General Hospitals ..............................2 Total Beds .........................451
Psychiatric Hospital...........................1 Total Beds ..........................98
Clinics..................................................7 Total Beds .............................0
Nursing Homes ..................................4 Total Beds ........................543
Physicians .........................................89 Dentists...............................39
GOVERNMENT
Parish Council/President Council Members ............................. 9
Sheriff's Department:
Total Full Time Personnel .....-210 Motorized Units .................92
Police Department:
Total Full Time Personnel ...... 67 Motorized Units .................27
K-9 Patrol & Narcotics detection dogs................................................ 3
Fire Department: City
Total Full Time Personnel .......46 Volunteers......................... 20
Equipment: 6 Fire Trucks, 1 Snorkel Truck (75'),1 Telesquirt
Truck, Insurance Rating (Per Insurance Service Office)............... 3
Type Service Provided Industrial Area Beyond Corporate
Limits or by Terrebonne Parish: 14
Volunteer Fire Depts.
Zoning Regulation .............. Yes Planning Commission ....Yes
Building Permits .................. Yes Occupational License .....Yes
TAXES
Assessment and Ratios: Under the new State Constitution,
land and residential property are assessed
at 10% of value; all other property is assessed at 15%
of value. Millage varies with political
subdivisions
Average millage for Terrebonne in 1992 was 96.65.
Local Sales Tax ........ 2 3/4%; State Sales Tax ............... 4%
BONDING RATE
Overall rating with Moody's .......................................................... Baa1
(Includes General Obligation Bonds of the Parish & City)
Utility Revenue Bonds (City) ...............................................................A
UTILITIES AND SERVICES
Electric Production: Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Govt.
Electric Distributors:
LP&L; S.L.E.C.A.; Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Govt.
Water Treatment Facilities:
Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Govt. (City of Houma)
Raw Water Source:
Primary: Intracoastal Waterway
Secondary: Bayou Black Reservoir
Raw Water Storage Capacity - 20,000,000 gallons
Capacity: Munson Drive .....8 MDG Barrow Street ......... 4 MGD
Waterworks District No. 1
Raw Water Source ... Mississippi River Via Bayou Lafourche
Raw Water Storage Capacity - 96,000,000 gallons
Plant Capacity ....................................................................... 16 MGD
Water Transmission & Distribution System
Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Govt. (City of Houma)
Ground Storage Capacity .................................. 4,750,000 gallons
Elevated Storage: 3 Total Capacity ................. 1,000,000 gallons
Average Daily Delivery ..................................... 2,500,000 gallons
Waterworks District No. 1
Ground Storage Capacity ................................... 3,000,000 gallons
Elevated Storage and Standpipes
Total Capacity ...................................................... 3,900,000 gallons
Average Daily Delivery ....................................... 8,000,000 gallons
Waterworks District No. 2 (Bayou Grand Caillou & Dulac)
Elevated Storage: 3 Total Capacity ...................... 500,000 gallons
Average Daily Delivery ....................................... 1,250,000 gallons
Waterworks District No. 3 (Bayou Dularge & Bayou Black)
Elevated Storage: 5 Total Capacity ....................... 500,000 gallons
Average Daily Delivery ........................................ 1,500,000 gallons
NATURAL GAS SUPPLIERS
Acadian Pipeline; Exxon Products of TX; Gas Transportation
Corp.; Tennessee Gas Pipeline; Texaco
Producing; Transco Pipeline; United Gas Pipeline
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTORS
Dixie Gas Company, Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Govt.,
Oceana Heights Gas Co., South Coast Gas Company
SANITARY STORM SEWER ............100% Corporate Limits
STORM SEWER ............................. 100% Corporate Limits
NUMBER OF ELECTRICITY CUSTOMERS 06/93
Louisiana Power & Light Co. .................................................... 21,271
South Louisiana Electric Coop. Association ........................... 9,593
Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government ....................... 8,611
Total ........................... 39,475
GAS METERS 06/93
City of Houma ............................................................................. 11,620
Terrebonne Parish Gas District #3 ............................................ 2,424
Oceana Heights ........................................................................... 4,594
South Coast Gas ......................................................................... 4,642
Dixie Gas ...................................................................................... 1,638
Total ............................ 24,918
WATER METERS 06/93
City of Houma .............................................................................. 6,926
Terrebonne Parish ..................................................................... 26,309
Total ............................ 33,235
TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBERS
South Central Bell (approximately) ............................................ 41,500
COMMERCIAL SERVICES
Type Number
Electric Motor Service ......................................................................... 5
Machine Shop Service ..................................................................... 31
NEW BUILDING PERMITS 1995
Type Units Cost
Residential 374 $28,376,039
Commercial 69 $20,197,922
Total 443 $48,573,961
TRUCKING - MOTOR FREIGHT
Louisiana Transporters, Inc., Luciano Refrigerated Transport,
Saia Motor Freight Terminal, Yellow
Freight Systems, Inc.
RAILROADS
L & D Railroad & Southern Pacific Railroad; Piggyback Service, Switching Service, 5 days a week
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highways ....................................................................... U.S. 90
State Highways .......................... 20, 24, 311, 315, 55, 56, 57, 309, 316,
665, 659, 660, 3040
BUS SERVICE -Greyhound ............................... Daily Departures 4
DELIVERY SERVICE
Courtesy Cab Service, Express Courier Services, Inc.,
Express Mail, Federal Express, Greyhound
Package Express, United Parcel Service, White Cab Co.
AIR
Nearest Airport ......................................... Houma-Terrebonne Airport
2 Lighted Runways .............................................................. 5,000' Each
Concrete surface, all types fuel, full ILS Control Tower
Nearest Major Airlines: 55 miles ...................................... New Orleans
AIRCRAFT CHARTER, RENTING, LEASING SERVICE
Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc., Air Logistics, Butler
Aviation, Crescent Air Service, ERA
Helicopters, Gulf Aire Enterprises, Inc. , Hammonds Air
Service, Petroleum Helicopters, Inc., Sea Air
Service, Inc. Walker Watts Aviation, Inc.
NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS - 1990
Terrebonne Parish ...... 35,416 City of Houma ................ 11,476
Source: 1990 U.S. Census
PERSONAL PER CAPITA INCOME - 1993 (latest available)
Terrebonne Parish .................................................................... $14,430
Houma MSA (Includes Terrebonne & Lafourche)................... $14,192
Source: Louisiana State Library
EFFECTIVE BUYING INCOME
Median Household EBI
Terrebonne Parish
$30,934
Median Household EBI
Houma
$27,939
Median Household EBI
Houma-Thibodaux
$30,524
Source .....................................Sales & Marketing Management 1/1/95
AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE SCALE 1993 (latest available)
All Establishments ........ $447.06 Manufacturing ............. $489.48
Source ................................................ Louisiana Department of Labor
LABOR ANALYSIS - Terrebonne Parish
Year
Avg. Work Force
Avg. Unemployment
1984
41,700
11.2%
1985
43,000
11.5%
1986
42,400
17.8%
1987
38,783
15.3%
1988
38,000
11.4%
1989
37,500
7.2%
1990
36,400
5.6%
1991
39,133
6.7%
1992
37,700
10.6%
1993
40,100
7.0%
1994
42,100
7.1%
1995
43,500
6.7%
TOTAL ROYALTY INCOME RECEIVED BY
TERREBONNE PARISH
1980
$2,967,180
1987
$1,749,917
1981
$5,502,098
1988
$1,527,549
1982
$6,728,896
1989
$1,532,608
1983
$6,246,165
1990
$1,971,363
1984
$4,766,137
1991
$1,905,191
1985
$4,130,034
1992
$2,007,276
1986
$2,418,445
1993
$3,346,019
This includes oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids.
Source: Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
TOP TEN EMPLOYERS IN TERREBONNE PARISH
COMPANY NAME
PRODUCT OR SERVICES
EMPLOYEES
Terrebonne Parish School Board
Education
2,237
Terrebonne General Medical Center
Medical Services
1,012
Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center
Medical Services
950
Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Catholic Education
800
Halliburton Services
Oil Field Services
649
Pride Offshore
Oil Field Services
550
Gulf Island Fabrication
Steel Fabrication
500
Wal Mart
Discount Department Store
480
J. Ray McDermott
Oil Field Services
404
Saia Freight Line, Inc.
Trucking
330
AVERAGE COVERED EMPLOYMENT AND TOTAL WAGES PAID
BY SELECTED INDUSTRY
DIVISION
JANUARY-DECEMBER 1989
(LATEST AVAILABLE)
SIC
DESCRIPTION
AVERAGE
EMPLOYMENT
TOTAL
WAGES
09&20
Hunting, Fishing, Trapping; Food & Kindred
Products
800
$ 10,367,404
13
Oil & Gas Extraction
4,334
139,889,580
16
Heavy Construction
731
17,139,099
17
Contracting
636
12,111,483
34
Fabrication
501
12,566,263
37
Shipbuilding
368
8,957,110
42
Trucking
517
10,097,912
44
Water Transportation
1,316
28,797,916
50-51
Wholesale Trade
1,379
46,378,423
52-59
Retail Trade
7,219
82,768,295
70-89
Service
9,625
184,906,749
Source: Louisiana Department of Labor
TOP TEN EMPLOYERS IN TERREBONNE PARISH
COMPANY NAME
PRODUCT OR SERVICES
EMPLOYEES
Terrebonne Parish School Board
Education
2,237
Terrebonne General Medical Center
Medical Services
1,012
Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center
Medical Services
950
Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Catholic Education
800
Halliburton Services
Oil Field Services
649
Pride Offshore
Oil Field Services
550
Gulf Island Fabrication
Steel Fabrication
500
Wal-Mart
Discount Department Store
480
J. Ray McDermott
Oil Field Services
404
Saia Freight Line, Inc.
Trucking
330
EMPLOYMENT & TOTAL WAGES PAID BY EMPLOYERS
SUBJECT TO THE LOUISIANA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW
1994
CATEGORY
1ST
QUARTER
2ND
QUARTER
3RD
QUARTER
4TH
QUARTER
YEARLY
AVERAGE
AGRICULTURE
321
374
421
416
383
MINING
4,541
4,839
5,732
5,744
5,214
CONSTRUCTION
2,137
2,157
2,149
2,039
2,121
MANUFACTURING
2,280
2,515
2,696
2,598
2,522
TRANSPORTATION
3,230
3,317
3,379
3,423
3,337
WHOLESALE TRADE
2,189
2,328
2,321
2,362
2,300
RETAIL TRADE
7,990
8,099
8,209
8,815
8,278
FINANCE
1,426
1,418
1,397
1,370
1,403
SERVICES
11,378
11,466
11,593
11,820
11,564
PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION
11,306
1,344
1,324
1,321
3,824
Total Employment
46,798
37,857
39,221
39,908
40,946
TOTAL WAGES PAID
$207,835,447
$215,521,732
$230,000,221
$248,810,215
$902,167,615.00
TERREBONNE PARISH RETAIL SALES & USE TAX REVENUES
SEVERANCE TAX
REVENUES
* 1981
$22,811,688.97
1980-81
$95,392,548.01
1982
$22,728,707.03
1981-82
$88,850,325.49
1983
$17,882,409.35
1982-83
$71,524,874.39
1984
$19,825,833.37
1983-84
$59,413,938.60
1985
$18,872,158.33
1984-85
$54,116,026.04
1986
$16,838,489.12
1985-86
$44,768,845.12
** 1987
$18,531,731.40
1986-87
$31,774,947.65
1988
$18,454,782.00
1987-88
$29,401,816.63
1989
$19,082,547.78
1988-89
$26,432,503.05
1990
$21,344,824.69
1989-90
$27,198,982.28
1991
$22,762,649.79
1990-91
$41,302,003.58
1992
$21,085,899.29
1991-92
$39,087,093.51
1993
$27,888,304.69
1992-93
$32,869,634.39
1994
$30,737,536.02
1993-94
$32,033,971.71
1995
$32,354,545.72
1994-95
$31,224,645.41
Tax Rate: *2% ** 2 1/4%
Source: Terrebonne Parish Sales & Use Tax Department
Source: Louisiana Department of Revenue &
Taxation
RECAP OF TAXABLE SALES BY MAJOR BUSINESS CLASS
Terrebonne Parish
BUSINESS CLASS
** 1995
** 1994
** 1993
* 1992
*
1991
Food
$219,398,175
$221,551,833
$215,296,615
$206,323,341
$211,144,247
Apparel
31,188,327
30,696,093
30,312,519
28,548,756
28,765,301
General
Merchandise
244,1241049
210,5621230
208,938,458
198,502,004
194,207,943
Automotive
88,620,491
81,084,764
83,040,506
78,116,749
80,942,883
Furniture, Home
Furnishings &
Equip.
55,223,383
58.249,211
51,849,222
48,544,234
59,741,699
Lumber, Building
& Contractors
245,436,823
236,672,041
168,001,534
147,584,368
180,347,375
Miscellaneous
Service
86,227,969
77,665,417
65,971,111
57,344,489
71,701,055
Manufacturer
11,661,309
21,567,942
24,165,483
42,513,674
33,073,711
Utilities
11,518,342
12,010,808
10,716,778
12,295,876
14,601,686
Miscellaneous
23,809,100
23,230,046
21,783,901
21,558,315
23,289,506
Auto Sales Rev.
& Unclassified
Returns
169,694,341
264,329,060
141,463,227
123,717,581
124,222,467
TOTAL
$1,186,902.313
$1,237,619.449
$1,021,539,361
$965,049,328
$1,022,037,874
* Tax rate 2 1/4%
** Tax Rate 2 3/4%
Source: Terrebonne Parish Sales & Use Tax Department