New Iberia, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
New Iberia
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| City of New Iberia | |
Downtown
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 New Iberia
Location in Louisiana
New Iberia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Iberia |
| Settled | 1779 |
| Laid out | 1835 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1839 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11.25 sq mi (29.15 km2) |
| • Land | 11.14 sq mi (28.85 km2) |
| • Water | 0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 28,555 |
| • Density | 2,563.06/sq mi (989.64/km2) |
| ZIP codes |
70560, 70562-70563
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| FIPS code | 22-54035 |
New Iberia is the largest city in Iberia Parish, Louisiana. It is also the parish seat, which means it's where the local government offices are located. The city is about 21 miles (34 km) southeast of Lafayette and is part of the larger Lafayette metropolitan area.
In 2020, about 28,555 people lived in New Iberia. You can travel to New Iberia by train using Amtrak's Sunset Limited service. The city also has a major highway, U.S. 90 (which will become Interstate 49 in the future), and its own airport for smaller planes, Acadiana Regional Airport. For bigger flights, the Lafayette Regional Airport is nearby.
Contents
History of New Iberia
New Iberia was first settled in mid-1779. About 500 colonists from Malaga, Spain, led by Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Bouligny, traveled up Bayou Teche. They made their home around Spanish Lake.
In 1814, the U.S. government opened a post office here. The town was officially called "New Iberia," but some postmarks from that time show it was also called "Nova Iberia." In 1839, the town was officially made a city and named "Iberia." However, in 1847, the state government decided to name it "New Iberia" to avoid confusion.
During the American Civil War, Union soldiers, led by General Nathaniel P. Banks, stayed in New Iberia during the winter of 1862–1863. They found the weather very harsh, with freezing rain and deep mud.
In 1868, Iberia Parish was created, and New Iberia became its government center. At first, the courthouse was in a rented building. By 1884, a new courthouse was built downtown. The current courthouse, located along Iberia Street, was built in 1940.
Geography and Nature
New Iberia is located at 30°0′13″N 91°49′6″W / 30.00361°N 91.81833°W. It sits about 20 feet (6 meters) above sea level. The city covers about 10.6 square miles (27.4 square kilometers) of land.
The city has a warm, humid climate with a lot of rain. One interesting natural feature is Lake Peigneur. This lake was once a 10-foot (3-meter) deep freshwater lake. But in 1980, a drilling accident caused it to drain into a salt mine. Now, it's a 1,300-foot (400-meter) deep saltwater lake, refilled by the Gulf of Mexico through the Delcambre Canal. Another lake nearby is Spanish Lake.
This area is also known for other natural spots like Avery Island, famous for its Tabasco sauce factory and large salt deposits. You can also visit Jungle Gardens there.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 306 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,472 | — | |
| 1880 | 2,709 | 84.0% | |
| 1890 | 3,447 | 27.2% | |
| 1900 | 6,815 | 97.7% | |
| 1910 | 7,499 | 10.0% | |
| 1920 | 6,278 | −16.3% | |
| 1930 | 8,003 | 27.5% | |
| 1940 | 13,747 | 71.8% | |
| 1950 | 16,467 | 19.8% | |
| 1960 | 29,062 | 76.5% | |
| 1970 | 30,147 | 3.7% | |
| 1980 | 32,766 | 8.7% | |
| 1990 | 31,828 | −2.9% | |
| 2000 | 32,623 | 2.5% | |
| 2010 | 30,617 | −6.1% | |
| 2020 | 28,555 | −6.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 12,697 | 44.47% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 12,575 | 44.04% |
| Native American | 74 | 0.26% |
| Asian | 800 | 2.8% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.0% |
| Other/Mixed | 963 | 3.37% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,445 | 5.06% |
In 2020, New Iberia had 28,555 residents. The city is home to many different groups of people. About 44.47% of the population was White (not Hispanic), and 44.04% was Black or African American (not Hispanic). Other groups include Asian, Native American, and people of mixed races. About 5.06% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Most people in New Iberia are Christian, especially Roman Catholic. This is because of the city's Spanish and French history.
Economy and Jobs
New Iberia has a lively economy. It was once the main office for Bruce Foods and the birthplace of Trappey's Hot Sauce. Today, the economy is supported by many small businesses, farming, and local industries like Louisiana Hot Sauce. The Acadiana Regional Airport also helps the local economy.
Arts, Culture, and Fun Things to Do
New Iberia has many interesting places to visit and fun festivals.
Places to Visit
- Shadows-on-the-Teche: This is a historic former home and plantation. It is now looked after by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
- The Bayou Teche Museum: Here, you can learn about the history, culture, artists, and industries of the Bayou Teche area. It was also the last studio of artist George Rodrigue.
- Avery Island: This island is famous for being the home of Tabasco sauce. It also has what is believed to be the oldest salt mine in North America, which has been working since 1862.
- Jungle Gardens: Located on Avery Island, this is a beautiful botanical garden and bird sanctuary.
- Jefferson Island: This island has a former salt mine, a botanical garden, a bird rookery, and the historic Victorian Joseph Jefferson House.
- Conrad Rice Mill: This is the oldest working rice mill, operating since 1912. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and offers public tours.
Festivals and Celebrations
New Iberia hosts several exciting festivals each year:
- Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival: Held in September, this festival celebrates the start of the sugar cane harvest, which locals call grinding. Sugar cane is a very important crop grown by farmers in New Iberia.
- El Festival Español de Nueva Iberia: This festival honors the city's Spanish heritage.
- World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off: This tasty event happens on the second full weekend in October.
- Books Along the Teche Literary Festival: In April, this festival celebrates author James Lee Burke and other writers from South Louisiana.
Education in New Iberia
The Iberia Parish School System serves students in New Iberia and the surrounding parish.
Public Schools
High Schools
- New Iberia Senior High School
- Westgate High School
Middle Schools
- Anderson Middle School
- Belle Place Middle School
- Iberia Middle School
Elementary Schools
- Belle Place Elementary
- Caneview Elementary
- Center Street Elementary
- Coteau Elementary
- Daspit Elementary
- Jefferson Island Road Elementary
- Johnston-Hopkins Elementary
- Magnolia Elementary
- North Lewis Elementary
- North Street Elementary
- Park Elementary
- Pesson Elementary
- Sugarland Elementary
Private Schools
- Acadiana Christian School: A private K-12 school for students of all Christian backgrounds.
- Catholic High School: A private Catholic school for grades 4-12.
- Highland Baptist Christian School: A private K-12 school for Baptist students.
Colleges and Universities
Students in Iberia Parish can attend Fletcher Technical Community College and South Louisiana Community College.
Notable People from New Iberia
Many interesting people have come from New Iberia, Louisiana. Here are a few:
Actors
- Joseph Jefferson: An artist and actor famous for playing Rip Van Winkle. He also built the Jefferson Mansion on Jefferson Island.
- Peter Renaday: A voice actor.
- Christian J. Simon: A child actor and voice actor, born in New Iberia.
Authors and Journalists
- James Lee Burke: A well-known novelist and mystery writer.
- Glenn R. Conrad: An author, professor, and historian of South Louisiana culture.
- Louis Lautier: The first African-American journalist allowed to join the White House Correspondents' Association in 1955.
Artists and Designers
- Jamie Baldridge: An artist, photographer, and writer, born and raised in New Iberia.
- George Rodrigue: A famous artist who created the "Blue Dog" series of paintings.
- William Weeks Hall: A painter and photographer who restored his family's historic home, the Shadows-on-the-Teche plantation.
Business Leaders
- William Dore: A businessman who founded Global Industries, Ltd.
- Paul Fleming: A restaurateur who founded popular restaurants like P.F. Chang's Chinese Bistro and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse.
Musicians
- Bunk Johnson: A Dixieland jazz musician and trumpet player who lived in New Iberia.
- Soko Richardson: A rhythm and blues drummer who played with Ike & Tina Turner Revue.
Sports Stars
- Kermit Alexander: A defensive back who played for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Damon Harrison: An NFL player who played for the New York Jets and New York Giants.
- Johnny Hector: A running back who played for the New York Jets.
- Kerry Joseph: A CFL quarterback.
- Jared Mitchell: An outfielder for the Chicago White Sox.
- Mark Roman: An NFL defensive back who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers.
Scientists
- Norman F. Carnahan: A chemical engineer.
- Viola Mary Johnson Coleman: An African-American female physician.
Sister Cities
New Iberia has special connections with several cities around the world, called "sister cities."
| City | Division | Country | Notes |
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| Alhaurín de la Torre |  Andalusia |
 Spain |
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| Fuengirola |  Andalusia |
Spain |
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| Saint-Jean-d'Angély |  Nouvelle-Aquitaine |
 France |
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| Woluwe-Saint-Pierre |  Brussels-Capital Region |
 Belgium |
See also
In Spanish: Nueva Iberia para niños
