Bayou Gauche, Louisiana

Bayou Gauche
Census-designated place
Fishing in the Bayou Gauche wetlands
Bayou Gauche Location of Bayou Gauche in Louisiana
Coordinates: 29°49′31″N90°26′05″W / 29.82528°N 90.43472°W / 29.82528; -90.43472
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	St. Charles
Area [1]
• Total	15.78 sq mi (40.86 km2)
• Land	12.85 sq mi (33.29 km2)
• Water	2.92 sq mi (7.57 km2)
Elevation	3 ft (0.91 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,161
• Density	168.1/sq mi (64.92/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code	985
FIPS code	22-05315

Oil well rig in wetlands near Bayou Gauche.

Bayou Gauche is a census-designated place and fishing village, with an adjacent natural bayou and wetlands. It is located in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of 2020, its population was 2,161. ^[2]

Geography

Bayou Gauche is part of the Greater New Orleans region. It is located at 29°49′31″N90°26′5″W / 29.82528°N 90.43472°W / 29.82528; -90.43472 (29.825162, -90.434727). ^[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the designated CDP has a total area of 20.2 square miles (52 km²), of which 17.6 square miles (46 km²) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²) (12.93%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2000	1,770		—
2010	2,071		17.0%
2020	2,161		4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [4]

Bayou Gauche was first listed as a census designated place in the 2000 U.S. census. ^[5] In 2020, it had a population of 2,161. ^[2]

Economy

The fishing and shellfish industries have been important in the local economy. Some residences for people in those fields, and their families, are stilt houses in the bayou and wetlands.

Oil wells for petroleum production are also present.

Education

St. Charles Parish Public School System operates public schools:

• R. J. Vial Elementary School (grades 3-5) in Paradis - Opened in 1975 ^[6]
• J. B. Martin Middle School (grades 6-8) in Paradis ^[7]

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
2. "2020 Race and Population Totals". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
4. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
5. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Louisiana" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
6. Home. R.J. Vial Elementary School. Retrieved on December 3, 2016. "R. J. Vial Elementary School, home of the Jaguars, was established in 1975 and has served the communities of Paradis, Bayou Gauche, Des Allemands, and Boutte for more than 40 years."
7. "About Our School." J. B. Martin Middle School. Retrieved on December 3, 2016. "J. B. Martin Middle School is located on South Street in Paradis and services the west bank areas of Paradis, Des Allemands (Bayou Gauche), Boutte, and Luling (Mimosa/Willowdale)."