Belle Chasse, Louisiana

Belle Chasse is a town located in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Belle Chasse is part of the greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 9,848.

Belle Chase is home to the Belle Chase Naval Air Station, and to the Plaquemines Parish Public Library.

History Belle Chasse was named after Colonel Joseph D. Bellechasse. Belle Chase was the home town of Confederate statesman Judah P. Benjamin.

Geography Belle Chasse is located at 29°51'8" North, 89°59'54" West (29.852243, -89.998335)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 73.7 km² (28.4 mi²). 64.8 km² (25.0 mi²) of it is land and 8.8 km² (3.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 11.99% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 9,848 people, 3,400 households, and 2,692 families residing in the town. The population density is 152.0/km² (393.6/mi²). There are 3,561 housing units at an average density of 55.0/km² (142.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 92.12% White, 4.23% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. 2.36% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,400 households out of which 41.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% are married couples living together, 12.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% are non-families. 17.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.80 and the average family size is 3.16.

In the town the population is spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $47,271, and the median income for a family is $52,064. Males have a median income of $39,957 versus $22,332 for females. The per capita income for the town is $19,385. 7.7% of the population and 6.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 8.4% are under the age of 18 and 7.8% are 65 or older.