Lafitte, Jean: see Laffite, Jean.

(born 1780?, France—died 1825?) French pirate. He led a band of privateers that preyed on Spanish ships and smuggled goods and slaves through New Orleans, where the group lived on islands south of the city. In the War of 1812 the British offered Laffite $30,000 for his allegiance in their planned attack on the city. He warned Louisiana officials of the attack but was not believed. He then offered his aid to Gen. Andrew Jackson, who accepted Laffite's help in the Battle of New Orleans. After the war Laffite returned to privateering against the Spanish.

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Lafitte is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,576 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Lafitte is located at (29.677566, -90.105386).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.8 square miles (20.1 km²), of which, 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²) of it is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it (26.64%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,576 people, 556 households, and 439 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 276.5 people per square mile (106.8/km²). There were 623 housing units at an average density of 109.3/sq mi (42.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.54% White, 1.14% African American, 2.28% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.78% of the population.

There were 556 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 105.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $33,872, and the median income for a family was $43,816. Males had a median income of $32,782 versus $25,729 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,839. About 14.3% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Lafitte residents are zoned to Jefferson Parish Public Schools.

Residents from K-6 are zoned to Lafitte Elementary School. 7-12 are zoned to Fisher Middle-High School.

References