Jena () is a town in, and the parish seat of, La Salle Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,155 at the 2020 census.
History Jena was named for Jena, Germany, where French Emperor Napoleon I won the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt in 1806.
In September 2006, Jena became the focus of national news stories in the United States for a racial controversy involving its school system and a group of students known as the Jena Six.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has an area of , all land.
Surrounding communities Residents of these rural communities frequent Jena for school, work, and shopping. Midway Olla, Louisiana Jonesville, Louisiana Trout, Louisiana
Climate
This region experiences hot summers with rainy days, with no average monthly temperatures above 92 °F. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Jena has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
There are mild winters during which intense rainfall occurs. It has hot, rainy summers with moderate rainfall through all year months.
Snow in Jena is possible in winter months.
Average annual precipitation is . There are on annual average 76 days with measurable precipitation.
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, Jena had a population of 4,155. The median age was 35.8 years. 17.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 145.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 158.5 males age 18 and over.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,164 households in Jena, of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. There were 884 families residing in the town. Of all households, 44.8% were married-couple households, 19.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 1,360 housing units, of which 14.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.8%.
+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 2,466 59.4% Black or African American 452 10.9% American Indian and Alaska Native 23 0.6% Asian 105 2.5% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 5 0.1% Some other race 981 23.6% Two or more races 123 3.0% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 1,024 24.6%
2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 2,971 people, 1,135 households, and 749 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 1,264 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 85.56% White, 12.02% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population.
There were 1,135 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were 21 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,938, and the median income for a family was $39,848. Males had a median income of $31,332 versus $18,317 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,761. About 9.9% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over. Media
Newspaper
The Jena Times (established 1905)
Radio
Frequency Callsign Format Owner 88.1 KAYT Urban/Christian Black Media Works, Inc. 102.7 KJNA Country Cloessner News & Broadcasting LLC.
Education The LaSalle Parish School Board is located in Jena.
The following schools serve Jena: Jena High School, 9–12 (Jena) Jena Junior High School, 6,7, & 8 (Jena) Goodpine Middle School, 3,4, & 5 (Trout/Goodpine) Jena Elementary School, PreK - 2 (Jena) Fellowship Elementary School, Pre-K-8 (Belah) Nebo Elementary School, PreK-8 (Nebo) Temple Christian Academy, Private PreK-8 (Jena)
Notable people Woodie Flowers, MIT professor and co-founder of FIRST Mike Francis, prominent businessman and former Louisiana Republican state chairman; born in Jena Jason Hatcher, former NFL football player for the Washington Commanders Jay F. Honeycutt, former director of the Kennedy Space Center Speedy O. Long (1928–2006), a member of the Long political dynasty
References
External links
Town of Jena official website LaSalle General Hospital LaSalle Parish School Board Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge