Tangipahoa Parish, LA

Tangipahoa Parish is a parish located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 133,157. The parish seat is Amite City, while the largest city is Hammond. Tangipahoa Parish is part of the Hammond metropolitan area.

History

Tangipahoa Parish was created by an act of the Louisiana State Legislature on March 6, 1869, during the Reconstruction era. The name "Tangipahoa" comes from the Tangipahoa people, a Native American tribe that once inhabited the area. The name is believed to mean "ear of corn" or "those who gather corn."

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 823 square miles (2,130 km²), of which 791 square miles (2,050 km²) is land and 32 square miles (83 km²) (3.9%) is water. The parish is bordered by St. Helena Parish to the north, Washington Parish to the east, St. Tammany Parish to the southeast, Livingston Parish to the west, and East Baton Rouge Parish to the northwest.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 133,157 people, 48,317 households, and 32,456 families residing in the parish. The population density was 168 people per square mile (65/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 63.4% White, 31.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.5% of the population.

Education

Tangipahoa Parish is served by the Tangipahoa Parish School System, which operates public schools throughout the parish. Higher education institutions include Southeastern Louisiana University located in Hammond.

Transportation

Major highways in Tangipahoa Parish include Interstate 12, Interstate 55, U.S. Route 51, and U.S. Route 190. The Hammond Northshore Regional Airport serves the area for general aviation.

Communities

Cities

• Hammond

Towns

• Amite City
• Independence
• Kentwood
• Ponchatoula

Villages

• Tangipahoa
• Tickfaw

Unincorporated communities

• Akers
• Husser
• Loranger
• Natalbany

Notable People

• Robin Roberts, television broadcaster
• Irma Thomas, singer

See also

• List of parishes in Louisiana
• Hammond metropolitan area
• Tangipahoa people