Ponchatoula, LA

Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Introduction to Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Ponchatoula, Louisiana, in Tangipahoa county, is 33 miles N of Kenner, Louisiana (center to center) and 40 miles NW of New Orleans, Louisiana. The city has a population of 5,180.

Ponchatoula History

Ponchatoula was founded in 1820 by William Akers. At that time it was a logging camp. The area was originally inhabited by the Indians. In fact, the city derived its name from an Indian term meaning "flowing hair”. Ponchatoula was officially incorporated on February 12, 1861. The first railroad depot of the city was established in 1853. Ponchatoula is also known as the Strawberry Capital of the World.

Ponchatoula and nearby Attractions

• Joyce Wildlife Management Area
• Collinswood School Museum
• Fairview - Riverside State Park
• Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum
• Gateway Shopping Center
• Tickfaw State Park

Things To Do In Ponchatoula

During your stay in Ponchatoula you can visit the Joyce Wildlife Management Area and Fairview - Riverside State Park. The city also offers easy access to several museums such as the Collinswood School Museum and Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum. The Berryland Shopping Center and Gateway Shopping Center are the local shopping centers. The city also organizes a number of recreational events and festivals like the Oktoberfest every year.

Ponchatoula Transportation

Flights can be availed from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Ponchatoula Higher Education

Southeastern Louisiana University, Tulane University of Louisiana, University of New Orleans, and many other universities and colleges offer higher educational facilities.

High Points

Ponchatoula strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Louisiana):

Category	Trophy
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers)	Top 1%
Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers)	Top 6%

Comparative Profile of Ponchatoula, LA

Comparing Ponchatoula to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Louisiana (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Female Share of the Population
Children Under 5 Years Old
Racial Diversity
Senior Citizens
Age of the Population
Male Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
College Educated Adults
People in Middle Class or Better
Median Family Income
People Above Poverty

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Walking and Biking to Work
Working at Home
Public Transportation Use
Short Commute Times

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Affordability of Property Taxes
Affordability of Rents
Housing Recently Built
People Living Alone
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Violent Crime
Low Property Crime

Ponchatoula Almanac

Ponchatoula Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Ponchatoula Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Nearby Cities and Towns

Ponchatoula High Schools (2004)

PONCHATOULA HIGH SCHOOL
19452 HIGHWAY 22 EAST
985-386-3514
Serves 1,436 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 19.4

Ponchatoula Colleges

(List of All Louisiana Colleges)

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