Independence, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Independence, Louisiana
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US Route 51 in Independence
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Location of Independence in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.
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Location of Louisiana in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Tangipahoa |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.41 sq mi (6.25 km2) |
| • Land | 2.41 sq mi (6.24 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 82 ft (25 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,635 |
| • Density | 678.14/sq mi (261.86/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
70792
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| Area code(s) | 985 |
| FIPS code | 22-37025 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405882 |
Independence, originally known as Uncle Sam, is a town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. In 2020, about 1,635 people lived there. It is part of the larger Hammond area.
Contents
History of Independence
The idea to make Independence a town started in the early 1900s. Harry D. Wilson, a State Representative, led this effort. He later became the Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry.
Harry Wilson's father, Dr. William D. Wilson, built a store in Independence in 1856. This store was the oldest building in the community for many years. Harry Wilson worked in a general store in Amite, the main town of Tangipahoa Parish. At that time, the area did not yet rely on growing strawberries.
In the 1890s, Harry Wilson worked for the Illinois Central Railroad. He then decided to enter politics. Voters knew him as "Uncle Harry" or "Mister Harry." He served in the state House from 1900 to 1904 and again from 1908 to 1912.
Harry Wilson strongly supported his hometown of Independence. In 1902 and 1903, he wrote to Governor William Wright Heard about making Independence an official town. At that time, about 308 people lived there. The Governor thought the proposed area of three square miles was too large for a small village. He suggested making the area smaller.
Independence was first called "Uncle Sam." It began in 1852 when the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad started running through the area. Independence was officially declared a town on August 22, 1912.
Geography of Independence
Independence is located in Louisiana. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers about 2.2 square miles (6.25 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population and People in Independence
The word "demographics" describes the different groups of people living in a place. Here's how the population of Independence has changed over the years:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 68 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,004 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,032 | 2.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,700 | 64.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,498 | −11.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,606 | 7.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,941 | 20.9% | |
| 1970 | 1,770 | −8.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,684 | −4.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,632 | −3.1% | |
| 2000 | 1,724 | 5.6% | |
| 2010 | 1,665 | −3.4% | |
| 2020 | 1,635 | −1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Here is a look at the different groups of people living in Independence as of 2020:
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic) | 732 | 44.77% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 768 | 46.97% |
| Native American | 3 | 0.18% |
| Asian | 8 | 0.49% |
| Other/Mixed | 48 | 2.94% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 76 | 4.65% |
In 2020, there were 1,635 people living in the town. These people lived in 711 households, which included 492 families.
Arts and Culture in Independence
Independence has a large community of people with Italian heritage. Many nearby towns and villages also have strong Italian roots.
Every year, Independence hosts a Sicilian heritage festival. This festival happens on the second weekend in March. Because of its strong Italian connections, Independence is sometimes called Little Italy. Italian immigrants started settling here as early as the 1800s.
You can learn more about Italian culture in Independence from a book called Italian Culture in Independence. Other helpful places are Southeastern Louisiana University's Center for Regional Studies and the Tangipahoa Parish tourist information center.
Education in Independence
The Tangipahoa Parish School Board manages the public schools in Independence:
- Independence High Magnet School
- Independence Leadership Academy
Notable People from Independence
- Nick Bruno, who was the President of the University of Louisiana at Monroe
- Robert Crais, a writer who has written many popular books
- Steven Jyles, a quarterback who played in the Canadian Football League
- Frank Lockett, a former wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins in the NFL
- Clif Richardson, a former state representative
- LaBrandon Toefield, a former star running back for LSU and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers
See also
In Spanish: Independence (Luisiana) para niños
