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Moving to Gretna, Louisiana

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Gretna is a small city located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. The population is approximately 17,500 people. It is the second largest city in Jefferson Parish and the 15th largest in Louisiana.

Gretna was founded in 1836 and named after Gretna Green, Scotland. The city was originally called Mechanicsville, but the name was changed to Gretna shortly thereafter. Gretna has been a part of Jefferson Parish since its inception in 1874.

Gretna has been an important port for many years. It was used by steamboats to transport goods from New Orleans to other parts of Louisiana and beyond. During the Civil War, it served as an important supply base for Confederate troops.

Today, Gretna is known for its rich history and culture that can be seen throughout the city’s streets and buildings. The main street is lined with historical buildings such as churches, banks, stores, restaurants and more that date back to the late 19th century. There are also a variety of museums dedicated to preserving and sharing the city’s history including a Maritime Museum which showcases artifacts related to steamboats and shipping on Lake Pontchartrain as well as a West Bank Museum which highlights Civil War history from both sides of the conflict.

Gretna also boasts numerous parks including LaFreniere Park which offers scenic walking trails along with playgrounds for kids and picnic areas for families; McDonoghville Park which features an amphitheater for live entertainment; and Riverview Park where visitors can relax by the river or take part in outdoor activities such as fishing or kayaking. Additionally, there are several festivals held throughout the year such as Mardi Gras parades in February and an annual Jazz Festival held each summer celebrating music from around the world.

Overall, Gretna is a vibrant community with plenty of attractions to explore whether you’re looking for history or just looking to relax outdoors in one of its many parks or festivals.

Population: 17,423. Estimated population in July 2024: 17,161 (-1.5% change)
Males: 8,717 (50.0%), Females: 8,706 (50.0%)

Jefferson County

Zip codes: 70053, 70056.

Demographics

Median resident age: 35.6 years
Median household income: $28,065
Median house value: $75,400

Population by Race

Races in Gretna:

  • White Non-Hispanic (53.3%)
  • Black (35.5%)
  • Hispanic (6.3%)
  • Other race (2.6%)
  • Vietnamese (2.5%)
  • Two or more races (1.8%)
  • American Indian (1.2%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: French (13.7%), German (11.3%), Italian (7.3%), United States (6.0%), Irish (5.5%), English (3.3%).

Elevation: 5 feet

Land area: 3.5 square miles

Map of Gretna, LA

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Gretna

  • High school or higher: 70.3%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.0%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 3.0%
  • Unemployed: 8.7%
  • Mean travel time to work: 24.8 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Gretna city

  • Never married: 32.3%
  • Now married: 41.9%
  • Separated: 3.9%
  • Widowed: 7.9%
  • Divorced: 14.1%

6.2% Foreign born (3.3% Latin America, 2.6% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: +432 (+2.5%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers in Gretna:

  • HEALTHWEST REHABILITATION HOSPITAL (3201 WALL BLVD, SUITE B)
  • MEADOWCREST HOSPITAL (2500 BELLE CHASSE HIGHWAY)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Gretna:

  • MEDICAL CENTER OF LOUISIANA AT N O (about 4 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA)
  • OASIS REHABILITATION HOSPITAL (about 4 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA)
  • TULANE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (about 4 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Gretna:

  • LAKEFRONT (about 9 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Abbreviation: NEW)
  • LOUIS ARMSTRONG NEW ORLEANS INTL (about 15 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Abbreviation: MSY)
  • STENNIS INTL (about 52 miles; BAY ST LOUIS, MS; Abbreviation: HSA)

Other public-use airports nearest to Gretna:

  • NEW ORLEANS DOWNTOWN (about 3 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Abbreviation: 7N0)
  • NEW ORLEANS NAS JRB/ALVIN CALLENDER FIELD/ (about 8 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Abbreviation: NBG)
  • SLIDELL (about 34 miles; SLIDELL, LA; Abbreviation: ASD)

Amtrak station near Gretna:

  • 3 miles: NEW ORLEANS (1001 LOYOLA AVE.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, snack bar, paid short-term parking, paid long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand, intercity bus service, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Gretna:

  • MOLER BEAUTY COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 223; Location: 59 W BANK EXPY; Private, for-profit)
  • NICK RANDAZZO VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE (Full-time enrollment: 124; Location: 1415 WHITNEY AVE; Private, for-profit)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Gretna:

  • LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY-HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER (about 4 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Full-time enrollment: 2,496)
  • XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA (about 5 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Full-time enrollment: 3,659)
  • DELGADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 5 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Full-time enrollment: 8,193)
  • TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA (about 6 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Full-time enrollment: 10,230)
  • LOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS (about 6 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Full-time enrollment: 4,399)
  • SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AT NEW ORLEANS (about 8 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Full-time enrollment: 3,217)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS (about 8 miles; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Full-time enrollment: 12,442)

Private high school in Gretna:

  • ARCHBISHOP BLENK HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 609; Location: 17 GRETNA BOULEVARD; Grades: 8 – 12; Girls only)

Public primary/middle schools in Gretna:

  • GRETNA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 865; Location: 910 GRETNA BOULEVARD; Grades: 07 – 09)
  • PAUL J. SOLIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 863; Location: 2850 MT LAUREL DRIVE; Grades: KG – 06)
  • SHIRLEY JOHNSON/GRETNA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 737; Location: 1130 GRETNA BOULEVARD; Grades: PK – 06)
  • GEORGE COX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 564; Location: 2630 BELLE CHASSE HIGHWAY; Grades: PK – 06)
  • WILLIAM HART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 414; Location: 2001 HANCOCK STREET; Grades: PK – 06)
  • KATE MIDDLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 407; Location: 1407 VIRGIL STREET; Grades: PK – 06)
  • MCDONOGH #26 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 351; Location: 1200 JEFFERSON STREET; Grades: PK – 06)
  • FREDERICK DOUGLASS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 300; Location: 1400 HUEY P LONG AVENUE; Grades: 01 – 06)
  • GRETNA #2 KINDERGARTEN CENTER (Students: 210; Location: 701 AMELIA STREET; Grades: PK – KG)

Private primary/middle schools in Gretna:

  • ARDEN CAHILL ACADEMY (Students: 669; Location: 3101 WALL BLVD; Grades: PK – 8)
  • ST. CLETUS (Students: 577; Location: 3610 CLAIRE AVE.; Grades: PK – 8)
  • SALEM LUTHERAN (Students: 243; Location: 418 4TH ST; Grades: PK – 8)
  • ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 239; Location: 900 FRANKLIN STREET; Grades: PK – 8)
  • WESTBANK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 131; Location: 16 WESTBANK EXPY; Grades: KG – 7)
  • ELMWOOD PARK ACADEMY (Students: 119; Location: 1517 CAROL SUE AVE; Grades: KG – 8)
  • STEPPING STONES MONTESSORI (Students: 40; Location: 552 TERRY PKWY; Grades: PK – KG)

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