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T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s

History and Overview

History

Overview

Government and Resources

Structure

Officials

Agencies

Economic Indicators

Demographics

Educational Attainment

Income

Infrastructure

Transportation

Air Services

Ground Transportation

Railways

Education

St. Bernard Parish Public School System

Nunez Community College

Quality of Life

Climate

Medical Services

Crime Prevention

Cultural Center

Sports, Parks, and Recreation

Tourism and Historical Register

Festivals

Events

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History

Originally settled in the 1720’s by Spanish colonists

from the Canary Islands, St. Bernard Parish was

carved out the New Orleans Territory and officially

founded on March 31, 1807. As a result of its rich

soil and riverside location, the area cultivated

successful crops including sugarcane and indigo,

and became known as an area for cattle grazing.

The most significant historical landmark in St.

Bernard Parish came into being just years after the

incorporation of the Louisiana Territory into the

United States. In January of 1815, General Andrew

Jackson defeated the British at the Battle of New

Orleans, a conflict which asserted U.S. control over

the Lower Mississippi River Valley and concluded

the War of 1812.

St. Bernard’s presence has been felt throughout Louisiana and United States history. On August 29, 2005

Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Southeast Louisiana and devastated large parts of the Metro New Orleans area

as well as parts of Mississippi. As a result of multiple failures in the levee system designed to protect the region,

the storm damaged virtually every structure in St. Bernard Parish and dislocated nearly its entire population of

approximately 67,000 people. Despite Hurricane Katrina, St. Bernard has fought back and rebounded, being hailed

as one of the true success stories of recovery in the Metro New Orleans Region. With recovery and reconstruction

still underway, St. Bernard Parish embraces the opportunities to grow and redevelop smarter, better, and stronger

than ever before.

Overview

St. Bernard Parish is located in the Southeastern part of Louisiana just

four miles from Downtown New Orleans and borders Orleans and

Plaquemines Parishes. Largely surrounded by water and marshland, St.

Bernard includes 465 square miles of land and boasts one of the largest

and richest wetland ecosystems in North America. Wildlife, fisheries, and

agriculture have always influenced the culture of our region, and with the

growth and expansion of New Orleans, St. Bernard has come to develop a

major industrial and petrochemical industry, as well as increased port,

commercial, and retail businesses. St. Bernard Parish’s population is

currently estimated at 40,000 and includes the communities of Arabi,

Chalmette, Meraux, Violet, Caernarvon, Contreras, Delacroix Island,

Hopedale, Kenilworth, Poydras, Reggio, Sebastopol, Shell Beach, Toca,

Verret, and Yscloskey.

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Government and Resources

Structure St. Bernard Parish is governed by a Parish President (executive branch) and a Council

(legislative branch). The Parish President serves a four year term and after serving more than

1 ½ terms (6 years), he shall not qualify for the office of President again. The Parish Council

consists of seven councilmen who each serve four year terms. Of the seven councilmen, five

serve as district councilmen and are elected by district, and two serve as at-large councilmen

(one a resident of east and one a resident of west St. Bernard) and are elected by a parish-

wide vote.

S t . B e r n a r d P a r i s h P r e s i d e n t , D a v e P e r a l t a

C o u n c i l m a n a t L a r g e W e s t , G e o r g e C a v i g n a c

C o u n c i l m a n a t L a r g e E a s t , G u y M c I n n i s

C o u n c i l m a n D i s t r i c t A , R a y L a u g a

C o u n c i l m a n D i s t r i c t B , N a t h a n G o r b a t y

C o u n c i l m a n D i s t r i c t C , R i c h a r d J . L e w i s

C o u n c i l m a n D i s t r i c t D , C a s e y H u n n i c u t t

C o u n c i l m a n D i s t r i c t E , M a n u e l “ M o n t y ” M o n t e l o n g o

For more info and resources including the Home Rule Charter, the Code of

Ordinances, Polling Locations, etc., please visit: www.sbpg.net.

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Additional Agencies and Departments

DEPARTMENT NUMBER OTHER AGENCIES NUMBER

Administration

504-278-4227

Assessor

504-279-6379

Animal Services

504-278-1535

Clerk of Court

504-271-3434

Civic Center

504-278-1506

Council On Aging

504-278-7335

Community Development

504-278-4310

District Attorney

504-271-1658

Council

504-278-4217

Judge, Division A

504-278-4414

Court Reporters

504-278-4429

Judge, Division B

504-278-4420

Finance

504-278-4258

Judge, Division C

504-278-4425

Fire

504-278-4275

Judge, Division D

504-278-4433

Government Access Channel

504-355-4437

Judge, Division E

504-278-4417

Grants

504-355-4412

Juvenile Probation

504-278-4435

Homeland Security

504-278-4322

LSU Ag Center

504-278-4235

Housing and Redevelopment

504-278-4468

School Board

504-301-2000

Human Resources

504-355-1413

Sheriff's Office

504-271-2501

Information Technology

504-355-4450

Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

504-355-4439

Insurance

504-278-4247

Legal

504-278-4349

Complex Maintenance

504-278-4308

Mosquito Control

504-278-1503

Payroll

504-278-4244

Public Works

504-278-4430

Purchasing

504-355-4414

Recovery

504-278-1593

Recreation

504-278-4295

Registrar of Voters

504-278-4230

Resident Services

504-278-4224

Road Department

504-278-1530

Tourism

504-278-4242

Transit (Bus)

504-277-1907

Water & Sewer

504-271-1681

Since 2005, St. Bernard Parish has seen over $1.4 Billion invested in critical infrastructure.

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Economy Overview and Demographics (sources: emsi – Economic Modeling Specialists International; US Census Bureau)

St. Bernard is the second smallest Parish in the metro New Orleans area, and with its close proximity to New

Orleans, it offers residents the comforts of a suburban based community with the amenities and excitement of a

major metropolitan area.

St. Bernard | Population

41,388 75.3%

2012 Population Population Growth for the Last 5 Years

0.9% of State State Growth 5.6%

Age Group 2012

Population

% of

Population

Under 5 years 3,190 7.7%

5 to 9 years 3,112 7.5%

10 to 14 years 2,733 6.6%

15 to 19 years 2,576 6.2%

20 to 24 years 3,396 8.2%

25 to 29 years 3,727 9.0%

30 to 34 years 3,224 7.8%

35 to 39 years 2,588 6.3%

40 to 44 years 2,574 6.2%

45 to 49 years 2,807 6.8%

50 to 54 years 3,103 7.5%

55 to 59 years 2,657 6.4%

60 to 64 years 2,057 5.0%

65 to 69 years 1,292 3.1%

70 to 74 years 897 2.2%

75 to 79 years 657 1.6%

80 to 84 years 496 1.2%

85 years and over 303 0.7%

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Age Demographics

Race Demographics

Educational Attainment

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St. Bernard | Jobs by Industry

10,944 55.9% 44.1%

Total Jobs (2012) Male Female

(Nation: 50.0%) (Nation: 50.0%)

NAICS Industry 2012 Jobs

11 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 2

21 Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction 18

22 Utilities 73

23 Construction 1,507

31-33 Manufacturing 1,188

42 Wholesale Trade 436

44-45 Retail Trade 1,422

48-49 Transportation and Warehousing 691

51 Information 16

52 Finance and Insurance 127

53 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 67

54 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 154

55 Management of Companies and Enterprises 77

56 Administrative and Support and Waste Management

and Remediation Services 321

61 Educational Services (Private) 13

62 Health Care and Social Assistance 627

71 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 99

72 Accommodation and Food Services 1,222

81 Other Services (except Public Administration) 242

90 Government 2,630

99 Unclassified Industry 14

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Regional Trends

Region 2006 Jobs 2020 Jobs % Change

● St. Bernard 7,817 13,262 69.7%

■ Louisiana 1,856,365 2,179,312 17.4%

▲ Jefferson 192,969 203,313 5.4%

◆ Orleans 158,043 197,829 25.2%

+ St. Tammany 70,830 96,609 36.4%

★ Plaquemines 14,789 17,011 15.0%

Housing and Other Info

Housing units, 2011 16,757

Homeownership rate, 2006-2010 65.7%

Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2006-2010 $132,400

Households, 2006-2010 10,295

Persons per household, 2006-2010 2.68

Per capita money income in past 12 months (2010 dollars) 2006-2010 $19,448

Median household income 2006-2010 $39,200

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, St. Bernard Parish is the second fastest growing county in the

United States with a 10.2% jump in population between April 1, 2010 and July 1, 2011.

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Transportation

Bus Service SBURT (St. Bernard Urban Rapid Transport) provides frequent trips between Arabi and Poydras and operates

Monday through Friday 5:55 a.m. to 7:50 p.m. Bus fares are $1.00 with a discount given to elderly, disabled, and

medicare passengers. For more info and routes, visit the Urban Transit Page at www.sbpg.net.

Highways Louisiana Highway 46 (St. Bernard Highway), Louisiana Highway 39 (Judge Perez Drive), and Louisiana Highway 47

(Paris Road) serve as the main thoroughfares of St. Bernard Parish.

Paris Road runs from north to south and becomes Interstate 510 as you head north. Interstate 510 then intersects

with Interstate 10 offering easy access to the entire southern portion of the United States. Heading south on Paris

Road will bring you to the Mississippi River where an automobile ferry offers easy crossing to Algiers on the west

bank of the river.

Judge Perez Drive runs from east to west and offers access to New Orleans as well as most parts of St. Bernard

Parish. Heading east towards New Orleans, Judge Perez becomes N. Claiborne Avenue which intersects with

Interstate 10 within a few short miles.

St. Bernard Highway runs east to west and, like Judge Perez Dr., offers access to

New Orleans as well as most parts of St. Bernard Parish. This scenic byway

follows the curves of the Mississippi River and offers a glimpse into the many

historic sites St. Bernard Parish has to offer. Travelling west, St. Bernard Highway

becomes St. Claude Avenue and provides quick access to many parts of New

Orleans including the French Quarter and Downtown New Orleans.

Air Service Louis Armstrong International Airport (approximately 22 miles from Chalmette)

www.flymsy.com

Nine domestic and international passenger airlines

Direct flights to 33 airports in 28 cities including

Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Charlotte,

Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver,

Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Los

Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville,

New York, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix,

Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington D.C.

Direct international flights to Mexico City

Ranked fourth in the J.D. Powers 2008 North

American Airport Overall Satisfaction Index Study in

the Small Airport Category

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New Orleans Lakefront Airport (approximately 7 miles from Chalmette)

www.lakefrontairport.com

Three runways serve private, corporate, commercial and military aircraft

Full service fuel, line service, flight training and aircraft rescue crews are available

Rail Service Norfolk Southern

Direct connections to six class 1 railroads operating in North America including the Burlington Northern

and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), Canadian National (CN), CSX Transportation (CSXT), Kansas City Southern

(KCS), Norfolk Southern (NS), and Union Pacific (UP)

Waterways St. Bernard Port, Harbor & Terminal District

www.stbernardport.com

Located at the convergence of two major maritime corridors (the Mississippi River and the U.S. Gulf Intracoastal Waterway), the St. Bernard Port, a landlord port, provides a strategic location for expanding logistics and manufacturing operations. Created by legislative authority in 1960 as an independent political entity, the port is located on the east bank of the Mississippi River between mile markers 81.5 and 91.5 and includes a 216-acre industrial park in Chalmette, Louisiana along with a 128-acre marine terminal located in Arabi, Louisiana.

Part of the largest shipping corridor in the world

Located 8 miles east of Downtown New Orleans

Spans a two and a half mile stretch along the Mississippi River

36 ft. deep water draft slip

Two intermodal business parks that offer warehouse, office and manufacturing space

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Infrastructure and Utilities

Electricity

Entergy 1-800-368-3749

Natural Gas

Atmos Energy Services 504-849-4300

Water and Sewer

St. Bernard Parish 504-271-1681

Garbage Collection

SDT, LLC 504-940-2177

Telephone Service

AT&T 1-888-757-6500 (residential)

1-800-945-6500 (business)

Cox Communications 504-304-8444

Cable Service

Cox Communications 504-304-8444

Other improvements to the

infrastructure of St. Bernard Parish

include the repair of 90% of all street

lights, and the approval of

approximately $77 million dollars for

the repair of over 20 miles of Parish

streets and hundreds of thousands of

related street drainage lines.

St. Bernard Parish has twelve state of

the art fire stations and highly trained

personnel capable of handling

everything from residential fires to

industrial emergencies.

Many public and government facilities

have been completely overhauled and

modernized for the 21st century.

These facilities include the Parish

Government Complex, the Frederick

Sigur Civic Center, the Islenos

Complex, the administration building

for both the Water and Sewer Division

and the Office of Public Works, the

administrative building for the St.

Bernard Sheriff’s Department, the St.

Bernard Council on Aging, the St.

Bernard Parish Courthouse as well as

the Old Beauregard Courthouse, and a

new public library building

incorporated into the Chalmette High

School Expansion.

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Education

St. Bernard Parish Public School System The St. Bernard Parish Public School System is accredited by by AdvancEd evaluators with the highest ranking

possible. The system has also received commendations for its Board, Superintendent, and Central Office

leadership, its integration of technology throughout the system, its support from the community, and the obvious

dedication and caring of its teachers and staff. The school district is also recognized as one of 14 out of 70 districts

state-wide to make the Governor’s Honor Roll and has been accredited as a district since 2007. Prior to that time,

each of the district’s schools was accredited as a single entity. St. Bernard was also the first district in the state to

have each of its schools accredited by SACS (now AdvancEd). Additionally, St. Bernard provides Private School

options, as well as one of only seven Community Colleges located in Louisiana. Nunez Community College offers

an academic curriculum that provides students with a foundation for higher education and offers job training

programs specifically tailored to meet the needs of local employers.

Nunez Community College Nunez Community College is a comprehensive community

college offering a general education and occupational

technologies curriculum that blends the arts, sciences, and

humanities leading to associate degrees, certificates, and

workforce development opportunities.

Nunez continues to provide dynamic course and program

offerings and works constantly with business and industry to

provide quality workforce training with four and two year

colleges to provide consistent and accurate articulation of course

credit. To enhance transfer opportunities for students who wish to continue their education, the College has

signed, and continues to pursue, articulation agreements with four-year institutions throughout the region.

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Nunez Community College served approximately 2,400 students

each semester. The college has regained more than 80% of its pre-Katrina enrollment with

those numbers expected to continue to increase.

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Quality of Life

Climate

Average Temperature (October –March) 60.6

Average Temperature (April-September) 78.2

Average Low Temperature 58.3

Average High Temperature 78.7

Average Annual Precipitation 62 inches

Medical Services www.SBPH.net The St. Bernard Parish Hospital is a state of the art

facility approximately 113,000 sq. ft. in size and will

support 40 patient beds, 4 Operating Suites, 2

Endoscopy Suites, plus a 10 Bed Emergency

Department. The hospital will also provide

complete diagnostic imaging, laboratory,

rehabilitation, patient education and social work

services. The hospital is scheduled to open its

doors in the Fall of 2012.

Crime Prevention Despite the widespread devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office has re-introduced nearly

all the services available before the storm. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office boasts the lowest crime rates in the

metropolitan area.

Accomplishments include:

the rebuilding police sub-stations throughout the parish

the re-introduction of the D.A.R.E. program

the re-starting of the Citizen’s Police Academy

the re-starting of the Neighborhood Watch Program

the re-building of the Parish Prison and Juvenile Detention Center

the introduction of a Motorcycle Division to the Sheriff’s Office

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Cultural Center The Sigur Center is located a mere 6 miles from the French Quarter in St.

Bernard Parish. Our mid-size, 52,400 sq. ft. auditorium venue with full

stage and state-of-the-art lighting and sound is equipped to entertain up to

2400 guests. The Sigur Center also includes permanent balcony seating, VIP

seating, as well as flexible seating or open floor.

Adjacent to the auditorium, Sigur Center has a beautiful 9,280 sq

ft Ballroom. The Grand Ballroom is also newly renovated with

stucco walls, chandeliers, and arched wooden doors. The Grand

Ballroom can accommodate approximately 750 guests. This room

can also be split into two separate rooms; the North Ballroom and

South Ballroom. Sigur Center provides tables, chairs, linens,

projectors, microphones, portable stage for rental with the room. A

full service kitchen is available for use, but Sigur Center does not

have their own in- house caterer. Outside catering is recommended

for food only as the Sigur Center provides beverages and liquor

packages.

Sports and Recreation Val Riess Park

33 acre facility located at the northern end of Palmisano Blvd. in Chalmette

Multi-phase development that will include eight baseball fields, two large concession stands, a 47,000

square foot multi-purpose complex, and a mini water park

a premier recreational complex that will include over $20 million in investment

Torres Park

Approximately 20 acre park featuring a lagoon, jogging path, playgrounds, restrooms and amphitheater

Other Facilities

St. Bernard is home to many other sports and recreational facilities that include the Hannan Recreational Complex,

Violet #2 Park, Cypress Garden Gymnasium, Gautier Gymnasium, Sammy Frichter Gymnasium, Paul Noel

Gymnasium, and Kenilworth Park.

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Tourism and Historical Landmarks

Chalmette Battlefield

San Bernardo Scenic Byway

Los Islenos Museum

St. Bernard State Park

Breton National Wildlife Refuge

Fort Proctor / Fort Beauregard

Friscoville Street Historic District

Old Arabi Historic District

Sebastopol Plantation House

Delacroix Island

American Wetland Birding Trails

Malus-Beauregard House

Festivals and Events

Battle of New Orleans Celebration

Krewe of Lourdes Carnival Ball

Knights of Nemesis Mardi Gras Parade

Irish, Italian, Islenos Parade

Los Islenos Fiesta

Louisiana Crawfish Festival

Redfish Invitational Series

Art in April Festival Celebration

Tomato Festival

Sugar Festival

St. Bernard Salutes America Celebration

Blessing of the Fleet

Oyster Festival

Christmas Parade

Christmas Tour of Homes

Santa on the Bayou

St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce Roast

St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce Annual

Event

St. Bernard Chamber Business Expo

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