Metairie, Louisiana

Metairie (local pronunciations {{IPA|/?mɛt??i/}}, {{IPA|/?mɛt?i/}}) is an unincorporated, census-designated place (CDP) located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, just west of New Orleans. As of the 2000 census, it had a total population of 146,136. Metairie is the largest suburb in the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area. Metairie ranks as the fifth-largest CDP in the nation, behind Honolulu, Hawaii, Paradise, Nevada, Arlington, Virginia, and Sunrise Manor, Nevada. The zip codes that serve the community are 70001-70006 and 70062.

History

The first development of the area was along Metairie Ridge, a winding bit of naturally higher land formed by an old bayou levee. This became "Metairie Road". An electric streetcar was installed running along Metairie Road in the late 1910s, opening the area to greater development. Upscale suburban housing tracts were constructed off the Road in the 1920s; this area is now known as "Old Metairie".

Related Topics:
Streetcar - 1910s - 1920s

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Most of the rest of Metairie was not developed until after World War II. Much of the growth came from "white flight", as some white New Orleans residents adamantly opposed integrated schools and greater political and civic rights for African-Americans. The effects of this can still be seen today in the demographics of Metairie and the election of white supremacist David Duke in 1989 as state representative from Metairie.

Related Topics:
World War II - David Duke

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The wide straight avenue "Veterans Boulevard" was laid out along side a drainage canal, and became a commercial center of the region. Some of the Greater New Orleans area's leading shopping malls are located in Metairie.

Related Topics:
Canal - Shopping mall

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In the 1970s and early 1980s an area of bars and nightclubs opened in a section of Metairie that for a time was popular and known as "Fat City".

Related Topics:
1970s - 1980s - Bars - Nightclub

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