Raceland is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) on Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 9,768 in 2020. It is part of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux metropolitan statistical area.
According to the Louisiana Office of Tourism, Raceland was named for the Race family that once owned a large plantation named "Raceland" on Bayou Lafourche.
Raceland sugar plantation was founded by Ebeneezer Eaton Kittredge and his son in law Fayette Clay Ewing. On April 19, 1855, a daughter of Kittredge, Olivia Corrinne, married George W. Race. The plantation was named Raceland the same year in honor of the young couple who made it their first home where their children were born.
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Geography
Raceland is located at 29°43′21″N 90°36′19″W (29.722576, -90.605172), on both sides of Bayou Lafourche. It is bordered to the southeast by Mathews.
U.S. Route 90 (future Interstate 49) passes through the southeast part of Raceland, leading northeast 44 miles (71 km) to New Orleans and west 40 miles (64 km) to Morgan City. Louisiana Highways 1 and 308 pass through the center of Raceland, on the south and the north sides of Bayou Lafourche, respectively. Both highways lead southeast (downriver) 7 miles (11 km) to Lockport and northwest (upriver) 15 miles (24 km) to Thibodaux, the parish seat. Louisiana Highway 182 passes through the center of Raceland on the old route of US-90; it leads northeast 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to US-90 and southwest 12 miles (19 km) to Houma.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Raceland CDP has a total area of 21.6 square miles (56.0 km2), of which 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.23%, are water.
Demographics
Raceland first appeared as an unincorporated place in the 1950 U.S. census; and was redesignated as a census designated place in the 1980 United States census.
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,768 people, 3,971 households, and 2,812 families residing in the CDP.
Government and infrastructure
The U.S. Postal Service operates the Raceland Post Office.
Education
Lafourche Parish Public Schools operates public schools.
Raceland Lower Elementary School
Raceland Upper Elementary School
Raceland Middle School
Central Lafourche High School is in Mathews, and has a Raceland postal address. The school serves all of Raceland.
Raceland High School opened in 1912 and was expanded in 1924; it was consolidated into Lafourche Central High along with Lockport High School in 1966. An elementary school occupies the former Raceland High. In the era before desegregation (circa 1969) Raceland Colored School educated black residents.
Lafourche Parish Library operates the Raceland Branch.
Fletcher Technical Community College has Lafourche Parish in the college's service area. Additionally, a Delgado Community College document stated that Lafourche Parish was in the college's service area.
Notable people
Gypsy-Rose Blanchard, convicted murderer and notable true crime personality; born in Raceland.
Donald G. Bollinger, founder of Bollinger Shipyards (1946) and state chairman of the Republican Party of Louisiana (1986–1988); born and died in Raceland, resided as an adult in Lockport
Jimmy Clanton, singer and actor; born in Raceland
Ron Estay, football player, All-American defensive lineman for LSU; played professionally for the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos
Aaron Loup, pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels
Punch Miller, jazz musician; born in Raceland
Larry Wilson, basketball player and NBA draft pick