Golden Meadow, Louisiana

Golden Meadow French: Canal Yankee is a town along Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,761 in 2020. It is part of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux metropolitan statistical area. Its main source of revenue is the oil and gas industry. The fishing and seafood industries also have strong economic impacts, with charter fishing, restaurants, and lodging actively serving patrons. The town was once known as a speed trap, but it has since been bypassed by Hwy 3235 and city traffic has been reduced to mostly locals; however, the speed limit is reduced to 50 mph on Hwy 3235 and said highway is still patrolled heavily. As in other places in Louisiana, there is a noticeable presence of Cajun culture, music, and cuisine.

Golden Meadow, Louisiana
Town
Location of Golden Meadow in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Golden Meadow in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Coordinates: 29°23′17″N 90°16′10″W
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishLafourche
Government
 • MayorJoey Bouziga (elected 2012)
Area
[1]
 • Total2.93 sq mi (7.59 km2)
 • Land2.45 sq mi (6.34 km2)
 • Water0.48 sq mi (1.25 km2)
Elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,761
 • Density719.66/sq mi (277.91/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
70357[2]
Area code985
FIPS code22-29640
WebsiteGolden Meadow, Louisiana

The Golden Meadow name was given by the original land grant owners, Benjamin and Louisa Hobbs Barker of Illinois. In 1839, they named it so because of the yellow flowers growing everywhere. They hoped to become wealthy selling lots to French and English settlers, but abandoned the plan.[3]

Geography

Golden Meadow is located at 29°23′17″N 90°16′10″W (29.388192, -90.269457).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 km2), of which 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (15.92%) is water.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19603,097—
19702,681−13.4%
19802,282−14.9%
19902,049−10.2%
20002,1937.0%
20102,101−4.2%
20201,761−16.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
Golden Meadow racial composition as of 2020[6]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 1,409 80.01%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 26 1.48%
Native American 130 7.38%
Asian 10 0.57%
Other/Mixed 89 5.05%
Hispanic or Latino 97 5.51%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,761 people, 754 households, and 535 families residing in the town.

Government and infrastructure

On July 1, 1950 the town marshal, the first head law enforcement agent of the town, took his position and became the first head of the town police department.[7]

The United States Postal Service operates the Golden Meadow Post Office.[8]

Education
Golden Meadow Middle School (former Golden Meadow High School building)

Lafourche Parish Public Schools operates public schools:

  • Golden Meadow Lower Elementary School[9]
  • Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School[10]
  • Golden Meadow Middle School[11]

South Lafourche High School is in the Galliano census-designated place, north of Golden Meadow, and serves the community.[12][13]

Francophone private schools were the first educational institutions serving the community. In 1917 the first public elementary school opened. Golden Meadow High School opened in 1933. It was consolidated with Larose-Cut Off High School to form South Lafourche High School in 1966.[14] The former Golden Meadow High building is currently Golden Meadow Middle School.[15]

Lafourche Parish Library operates the Golden Meadow Branch.[16]

Notable natives and residents

References
  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  2. "Golden Meadow LA ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  3. Jambon, Ted. "Lower Bayou Lafourche Settlement: Where Did They All Come From". Roots Along The River, Le Baton Rouge, Vol XXC, No 3, Summer 2005, Baton Rouge Genealogical & Historical Society. p25-26.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  7. "Golden Meadow Police Department." Golden Meadow. Retrieved on March 11, 2017.
  8. "Golden Meadow." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on March 11, 2017. "300 S ALEX PLAISANCE BLVD, GOLDEN MEADOW, LA 70357-9998"
  9. Home. Golden Meadow Lower Elementary School. Retrieved on November 29, 2016.
  10. Home. Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School. Retrieved on November 29, 2016.
  11. Home. Golden Meadow Middle School. Retrieved on November 29, 2016.
  12. "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Golden Meadow town, LA." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on February 7, 2018.
  13. "SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BOUNDARIES Archived 2016-12-02 at the Wayback Machine." Lafourche Parish Public Schools. Retrieved on December 2, 2016. Based on the text description of the school boundaries.
  14. "The Origin of South Lafourche Archived 2016-11-29 at the Wayback Machine." South Lafourche High School. Retrieved on November 29, 2016.
  15. "Our Collection". The Golden Meadow Historical Center. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  16. "Branch Locations and Contact." Lafourche Parish Library. Retrieved on November 28, 2018.
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