Overview

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.

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.

Demographics

People

Total Population7,131
Male Share of the Population48.2%
Female Share of the Population51.8%
Senior Citizens14.5%
Employed Population 16+2,932
Age of the Population32

Families

% of people married41.5%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher18.2%
Median Earnings25+$36,560
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$20,457
Median Earnings With High School Degree$36,683

Wealth

Median Family Income$47,064
% Above Poverty Level78.8%
% Below Poverty Level21.2%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time32 minutes
% Working from Home2.5%
% Walking and Biking to Work1.3%
% Using Public Transportation%

Housing

People Living Alone29.3%
Median Gross Rent$813
Median House Value$148,300

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)43.9%
French Except Basque14.3%
German11.9%
Italian10.5%
English8.9%
Irish8.5%
Norwegian1.4%
Canadian1.1%
Polish1%
Haitian0.4%
Portuguese0.4%
Greek0.4%
Hungarian0.4%
West Indian0.4%
Slovak0.3%
Austrian0.2%
Iranian0.1%
Swiss0.1%
Welsh0.1%
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Ponchatoula Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyTangipahoa Parish
Standard Zip Codes70454
Phone Area Codes985
Time ZoneAmerica/Chicago
Approximate Latitude30.43
Approximate Longitude-90.44

Ponchatoula Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

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

StationHAMMOND 5 E
Distance6.2 miles
Jan Temp38 to 62 F
Apr Temp54 to 78 F
Jul Temp71 to 92 F
Oct Temp54 to 81 F
Annual Precip64 inches
StationAMITE
Distance18.9 miles
Jan Temp38 to 60 F
Apr Temp53 to 78 F
Jul Temp70 to 92 F
Oct Temp53 to 81 F
Annual Precip65.7 inches
StationFRANKLINTON 3 SW
Distance30.3 miles
Jan Temp38 to 61 F
Apr Temp53 to 79 F
Jul Temp70 to 93 F
Oct Temp53 to 81 F
Annual Precip64.2 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Albany1,194$76,520
Hammond20,444$54,322
Independence1,850$34,444
Killian1,375$77,500
Springfield479$51,364
Tickfaw687$68,289

Ponchatoula Public Schools

Champ Cooper Elementary School
42530 Highway 445
ZIP: 70454
(985) 542-6182
Primary
Total Enrollment 811
D.c. Reeves Elementary School
18026 Sisters Road
ZIP: 70454
(985) 386-6433
Primary
Total Enrollment 633
Martha Vinyard Elementary School
40105 Dunson Road
ZIP: 70454
(985) 386-6364
Middle
Total Enrollment 677
Perrin Early Learning Center
350 West Ash Street
ZIP: 70454
(985) 386-9734
Primary
Total Enrollment 267
Ponchatoula High School
19452 Highway 22 East
ZIP: 70454
(985) 386-3514
High
Total Enrollment 1745
Ponchatoula Junior High School
315 East Oak Street
ZIP: 70454
(985) 370-5322
Middle
Total Enrollment 759
Tucker Memorial Elementary School
310 South Third Street
ZIP: 70454
(985) 386-6449
Primary
Total Enrollment 650

Ponchatoula Private Schools

St Joseph School
175 N 8th St
ZIP: 70454
Elementary
Total Enrollment 364
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