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Town of Kentwood
Town
Nickname : The Dairy Capital of the South
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	Tangipahoa
Area	6.9 sq mi (17.9 km²)
- land	6.9 sq mi (17.9 km²)
- water	0.0 sq mi (0 km²), 0%
Center
- coordinates	30°56′10″N 90°30′55″W / 30.93611, -90.51528Coordinates: 30°56′10″N 90°30′55″W / 30.93611, -90.51528
- elevation	210 ft (64 m)
Population	2,205 (2000)
Density	318.4 /sq mi (122.9 /km²)
Founded	1893
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
- summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
Area code	985
Location of Kentwood in Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States

Kentwood is a rural town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana near the Mississippi border. The population was 2,205 at the 2000 census.

Water from Kentwood is bottled and popularly marketed in New Orleans under the Kentwood Springs label. Kentwood is also known as "The Dairy Capital of the South." Kentwood used to have a dairy parade each November where people sold crafts and miscellaneous items. The festival hasn't been held for several years due to the shutdown of the dairy plant in the 1970's and the subsequent decline of the town and its economy. Despite all this, Kentwood is best known as the hometown of pop singer Britney Spears and sister Jamie Lynn Spears.

History

This rural town was founded by Amos Kent in 1893.

Geography

Kentwood is located at 30°56′10″N, 90°30′55″W (30.936116, -90.515389).^[1]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.9 square miles (17.9 km²), of which, 6.9 square miles (17.9 km²) of it is land and 0.14% is water.

Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 2,205 people, 850 households, and 559 families residing in the town. The population density was 318.4 people per square mile (123.0/km²). There were 979 housing units at an average density of 141.4/sq mi (54.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 34.42% White, 64.85% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of the population.

There were 850 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.6% were married couples living together, 28.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the town the population was spread out with 29.9% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 80.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $17,297, and the median income for a family was $23,889. Males had a median income of $25,583 versus $15,200 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,171. About 29.5% of families and 37.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.2% of those under age 18 and 32.5% of those age 65 or over.

Notable natives

• Britney Spears, singer, actress, author, and dancer
• Jamie Lynn Spears, actress
• William Hodding Carter, I, politician, farmer and businessman
• Taylor Horn, singer and actress
• Clay Shaw, New Orleans businessman
• Jackie Smith, National Football League tight end and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Collis Temple Jr., first African-American athlete at Louisiana State University

References

1. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
2. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

External links

• Kentwood Museum
• Kentwood Community Development

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Parish seat: Amite City
Cities	Hammond | Ponchatoula
Towns	Amite | Independence | Kentwood | Manchac | Roseland
Villages	Tangipahoa | Tickfaw
CDP	Natalbany