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Buras, Louisiana

Coordinates: 29°21′07″N 89°31′27″W / 29.35194°N 89.52417°W / 29.35194; -89.52417
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Buras, Louisiana
Census-designated place
New water tower in Buras
New water tower in Buras
Buras, Louisiana is located in Louisiana
Buras, Louisiana
Buras, Louisiana
Coordinates: 29°21′07″N 89°31′27″W / 29.35194°N 89.52417°W / 29.35194; -89.52417
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishPlaquemines
Area
[1]
 • Total
3.35 sq mi (8.67 km2)
 • Land2.30 sq mi (5.95 km2)
 • Water1.05 sq mi (2.72 km2)
Elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
1,109
 • Density482.59/sq mi (186.35/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
70041
Area code504
GNIS feature ID558181[2]

Buras is a census-designated place (CDP) in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, United States. Its population was 945 at the 2010 census,[3] and 1,109 in 2020.[4] Prior to the 2010 census, Buras was considered to be part of the Buras-Triumph CDP.

History

[edit]
Main article: Buras-Triumph, Louisiana

Hurricane Katrina made its official landfall in Louisiana in Buras in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana on August 29, 2005. Buras experienced the full force of the storm, with catastrophic winds and storm surge leading to extensive damage. This area marked the first point of impact for one of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history.

In November 2006, Jeré Longman of The New York Times wrote that "almost no evidence of recovery exist[ed]" in the post-Hurricane Katrina period.[5] In December 2007, Longman reported that there was still "little sign of recovery" in Buras.[6] The town was founded in the 1840s; 20 years later, it was the site of Civil War battles at Forts Jackson and St. Philip. Today, the Buras area is known for hauling in much of the state's oysters.

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2010945—
20201,10917.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

Buras was split off from the Buras-Triumph CDP prior to the 2010 U.S. census.

Buras CDP, Louisiana – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2010[8] Pop 2020[9] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 564 471 59.68% 42.47%
Black or African American alone (NH) 63 118 6.67% 10.64%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 19 16 2.01% 1.44%
Asian alone (NH) 210 344 22.22% 31.02%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 5 18 0.53% 1.62%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 53 82 5.61% 7.39%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 31 60 3.28% 5.41%
Total 945 1,109 100.00% 100.00%

In the pre-Katrina period (before August 29, 2005) Buras had about 30-40 Cambodian shrimpers, presenting the area's large Asian American population. In the post-Hurricane period (after August 29, 2005) Brenda Kap, quoted in The New York Times, stated most of them had returned.[10] At the 2020 United States census, its Asian population was 344, making them the second-largest racial and ethnic group in the CDP; non-Hispanic and Latino whites made up 471 persons total, and Black and African Americans were the third largest group.[9]

Government

[edit]

The United States Postal Service operates a post office.[11]

Education

[edit]

Plaquemines Parish School Board operates the public schools of the parish.[12]

It is served by South Plaquemines High School in Empire, next to the Buras CDP, and with a Buras postal address.[13]

Prior to 2005, Buras Middle School (grades 6–8) and Buras High School (grades PK-5 and 9–12) served the community,[14][15] but Hurricane Katrina damaged the buildings.[16] In the immediate post-Katrina period no new campuses opened in Buras, leading some residents to feel that the community may further erode.[17] The permanent school building of South Plaquemines High was established on the site of the former Buras Middle School, while faculty residences were placed on the property of the former Buras High School.[16]

Plaquemines Parish is in the service area of Nunez Community College.[18]

The Plaquemines Parish Library maintains the Buras Branch.[19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  2. ^ "Buras". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  4. ^ "2020 Population and Race Totals". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Longman, Jeré (November 21, 2006). "Season of Renewal Ends in Defeat and Doubt". The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  6. ^ Longman, Jeré (December 5, 2007). "A Razor-Sharp Focus Trumps Uncertainty". The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  7. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  8. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Buras CDP, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau.
  9. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race –- 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Buras CDP, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ Longman, Jeré (November 3, 2006). "Mother Helps Her Son Find a Safe Harbor in Football". The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  11. ^ "BURAS — Post Office™". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  12. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Plaquemines Parish, LA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 14, 2024. - Text list
  13. ^ "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Empire CDP, LA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 2 (PDF p. 3/3). Retrieved January 14, 2024. - Compare to the school's entire postal address.
    "Contact". South Plaquemines High School. Retrieved January 14, 2024. Address 34121 Hwy 23 Buras, LA 70041 - While the address states "Buras, LA", the school is physically in the Empire CDP.
  14. ^ "Buras Middle School." Plaquemines Parish School Board. March 22, 2004. Retrieved on December 3, 2016.
  15. ^ "Buras High School." Plaquemines Parish School Board. March 22, 2004. Retrieved on December 3, 2016.
  16. ^ a b "Plaquemines Parish Comprehensive Master Plan 8. Public Facilities and Services Archived 2017-03-05 at the Wayback Machine." Plaquemines Parish. p. 9/34. Retrieved on December 3, 2016.
  17. ^ Longman, Jeré (September 29, 2006). "The Hurt After Katrina Continues for a Prospect". The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2016. Print: p. D1, New York edition, "The Hurt After Katrina Continues for a Prospect"
  18. ^ "Our Colleges". Louisiana's Technical and Community Colleges. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  19. ^ "Library". Plaquemines Parish. Retrieved January 14, 2024. 35572 Hwy 11 Buras, LA 70041 - Click "Buras Library" tab.
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