Information Courtesy of 
[learn_more caption="Jefferson Parish"] Louisiana’s most populous parish, with more than 440,000 residents in a metro area of almost 1.3 million, Jefferson is also the state’s largest parish in terms of land area.
A two-hour drive is required to cover the distance from the parish’s northern boundary, Lake Pontchartrain, to its southernmost town, Grand Isle, located on the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River, from which much of the area’s commercial success originates, runs through the parish and separates the area into two regions known as the east and west banks. Six incorporated cities lie within the parish.
The cities of Kenner and Harahan are situated on the east bank, while Gretna, Westwego, Lafitte and Grand Isle are located on the west bank. In addition, there are the unincorporated areas of Metairie, Jefferson, Elmwood and River Ridge on the east bank and Avondale, Barataria, Bridge City, Harvey, Marrero, Terrytown, Waggaman, Estelle, Timberlane and Woodmere on the west bank.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption="Location"] Jefferson Parish is located on the southern shore of the 630-square-mile Lake Pontchartrain. It is connected to St. Tammany Parish (called the northshore) by the 24-mile Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the longest bridge in the world. See Map[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption="Transportation"] Many travelers reach our area by flying into the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, located in the city of Kenner in Jefferson Parish.
Interstate 10 is the main thoroughfare through the parish’s east bank region. Highway 90, part of which is called the Westbank Expressway, is the major transportation artery on the west bank.
Stretching across the Mississippi River and connecting the area’s east and west banks are the Crescent City Connection and the Huey P. Long bridges. Jefferson Parish maintains its own bus system along most of the major roadways throughout the parish.
For further information about our bus routes, contact 504-818-1077 on the east bank and 504-367-7433 on the west bank.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption="Entertainment & Recreation"] Jefferson Parish abounds with festivals and parades, recreational possibilities, and plenty of opportunities for fun. Mardi Gras is a vibrant annual celebration featuring numerous family-oriented parades filled with decorative floats, costumed participants and free giveaways that are tossed to eager crowds along parade routes.
The Jefferson Performing Arts Society brings arts and culture to our parish, and has been successful in promoting the establishment of a new local arts center, which is currently under construction in Metairie’s LaSalle Park. Performances and exhibits are also held at the Pontchartrain Center and the Alario Center, and a visit to Rivertown is a must for any cultural enthusiast. This 16-block historic complex in Kenner features eight museums, a fine arts gallery, a repertory theater and a newly opened planetarium.
Sports fans cheer on the Zephyrs, a AAA-affiliate of the Florida Marlins, and the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets. Additionally, the NFL’s New Orleans Saints practice in Jefferson Parish, while golfers pile into town for the annual PGA Tour—or to take advantage of the selection of public and private courses in the area.
If indoor activities are more your style, you may enjoy the games of chance at the Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner and Boomtown Casino in Harvey. Both offer deluxe buffets and entertainment, as well as special promotions.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption="Business & Industry"] Many industries make use of the diverse transportation and shipping opportunities available in Jefferson Parish, which include large port operations on the Mississippi River and direct service from all major railroads.
Over 36,000 businesses operate in Jefferson Parish. The predominant industries in the parish are healthcare, retail and manufacturing professional services for the offshore oil and gas industry. Other prominent industries include banking, food processing and transportation and distribution.
The technology sector is also beginning to blossom in our parish. Jefferson is currently home to 820 high-tech companies employing almost 10,000 workers. Offering assistance to businesses and the community is the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO). JEDCO’s services include site location assistance, parish market data, tax incentives, tax-exempt bonds, business financing, business incubator programs, work force development, waterway and marina development, strategic community planning, and more. For further information, visit their Web site at www.jedco.org or call 504-833-1881.[/learn_more]
Education
The Jefferson Parish area is near a heavy concentration of some of the finest nationally recognized institutes of higher learning, including universities, colleges and technical schools. Most of the schools of higher learning are within 15 miles of the parish.
These instituters include:
Universities/Colleges
- Strayer University 504-799-1701 www.strayer.edu
• Concordia University 504-828-3802
• Dillard University 504-283-8822
• Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center 504-568-4808
• Loyola University 504-865-2011
• Our Lady of Holy Cross College 504-394-7744
• Southeastern Louisiana University 985-549-2000
• Southern University at New Orleans 504-286-5000
• Tulane University 504-865-5000
• University of New Orleans 504-280-6000
• University of Phoenix 504-461-8852
• Xavier University of Louisiana 504-486-7411 Community & Technical Colleges
• Delgado Community College 504-483-4114
• Eastern College of Health Vocations 504-885-3353
• Herzing University 504-733-0074
• ITT Technical Institute 504-463-0338
• Louisiana Technical College Jefferson campus 504-736-7072 West Jefferson campus: 504-361-6464
• Nunez Community College 504-278-6200
A mixture of public, private and independent schools offer elementary and secondary educational opportunities. For additional details, please contact the following:
• Jefferson Parish Public School System www.jppss.k12.la.us
• Archdiocese of New Orleans www.archdiocese-no.org
• Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (Louisiana schools included) www.isasw.org
The Jefferson Chamber is the premier business organization in the greater New Orleans area. We work on behalf of our members to help their businesses grow, implement relevant and informative programming and provide opportunities to build relationships with other businesses in the community. 
