Kentwood, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kentwood, Louisiana
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| Town of Kentwood | |
Kentwood residents observe a noontide Day of Prayer in front of the Town Hall in 2015
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| Motto(s):
"The Foyer of Louisiana"
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Location of Kentwood 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 |
| Founded | 1893 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.11 sq mi (18.42 km2) |
| • Land | 7.11 sq mi (18.42 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 223 ft (68 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,145 |
| • Density | 301.69/sq mi (116.48/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−05:00 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
70444
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| Area code(s) | 985 |
| FIPS code | 22-39545 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405939 |
Kentwood is a small town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is located close to the Mississippi state line. In 2020, about 2,145 people lived there.
Contents
History of Kentwood
Kentwood was founded in 1893. The town was named after Amos Kent, who helped plan its layout. The Postmaster officially named the town on February 29, 1888.
Hurricane Isaac and the Dam
In 2012, Hurricane Isaac caused problems for the Percy Quin dam. This dam is on the Tangipahoa River north of Kentwood. Because of the dam's issues, the Governor of Louisiana asked everyone in Kentwood to leave for safety. People were worried about big floods from Lake Tangipahoa.
Luckily, the dam held strong, and the evacuation order was later canceled. The lake's water level was lowered so that repairs could be made to the dam.
Lake Tangipahoa Reopens
Lake Tangipahoa is a large lake, about 490 acres in size. It first opened in 1939. After the repairs were finished in 2014, the lake was restocked with fish. It fully reopened in 2016 for everyone to enjoy again.
Geography of Kentwood
Kentwood covers an area of about 7.11 square miles (18.42 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small part being water.
Population and People
How Kentwood's Population Has Changed
The population of Kentwood has changed over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived in the town during different census years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 1,313 | — | |
| 1910 | 3,609 | 174.9% | |
| 1920 | 3,059 | −15.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,726 | −43.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,854 | 7.4% | |
| 1950 | 2,417 | 30.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,607 | 7.9% | |
| 1970 | 2,736 | 4.9% | |
| 1980 | 2,667 | −2.5% | |
| 1990 | 2,468 | −7.5% | |
| 2000 | 2,205 | −10.7% | |
| 2010 | 2,198 | −0.3% | |
| 2020 | 2,145 | −2.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Kentwood?
The 2020 United States census counted 2,145 people living in Kentwood. This count helps us understand the different groups of people in the town.
Most people in Kentwood are from two main racial groups:
- About 76.55% of the people are Black or African American (non-Hispanic).
- About 19.3% of the people are White (non-Hispanic).
There are also smaller numbers of people from other backgrounds, including Native American, Asian, and those of mixed races. About 1.12% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
Education in Kentwood
The Tangipahoa Parish School Board manages the public schools in Kentwood. These schools help students learn and grow from kindergarten through high school.
Here are some of the schools in the area:
- Kentwood High Magnet School (for grades 7-12)
- O. W. Dillon Memorial Elementary School (for grades K-6)
- Chesbrough Elementary (for grades K-5)
- Spring Creek Elementary (for grades K-5)
- Jewel M. Sumner Middle and High School
Famous People from Kentwood
Many interesting people have connections to Kentwood:
- Roger Ballard is a country music singer and songwriter.
- Stacy Head was an elected official in New Orleans.
- Michael "Mike" Jackson was a wide receiver in the National Football League.
- Little Brother Montgomery was a jazz pianist.
- Paul Gayten was an R&B pianist, songwriter, and record producer.
- Clay Shaw was a businessman from New Orleans.
- Ann Alexander Smith was an educator in Louisiana.
- Jackie Smith was a tight end in the National Football League and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Britney Spears is a world-famous singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress.
- Collis Temple was the first African-American athlete at Louisiana State University.
See also
In Spanish: Kentwood (Luisiana) para niños
