A suburb of New Orleans from the Mississippi to Lake Pontchartrain
In 1682, a French explorer named Robert Cavalier De La Salle traveled down the Mississippi River. La Salle stopped near the mouth of the river, claiming the land for France and naming it “Louisiana.” The spot where he came ashore is recognized as La Salle’s Landing in what is now Kenner, a city of about 60,000 in New Orleans’ suburbs. The neighborhood around La Salle’s Landing, known as Rivertown due to its location on the Mississippi, is the oldest part of the city, but Kenner steadily grew northward toward Lake Pontchartrain and now spans from the river to the lake. Kenner is connected to New Orleans by its faction of commuters and its status as the home to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Like much of the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Kenner has a significant risk of flooding and has been impacted by several hurricanes over the past 20 years. But the city’s sense of community, shown by neighborhoods like Rivertown, and its proximity to New Orleans continue to attract homebuyers to Kenner.
Kenner is bordered to the south by the Mississippi River.
La Salle’s Landing is a quiet place to visit with your family.
Kenner is a city of about 60,000 in the suburbs of New Orleans.
Kenner is home to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
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Distinct character north and south of I-10
Kenner is divided by Interstate 10. The south side of Kenner is older, as neighborhoods naturally developed and evolved, with cottages and ranch-style homes from the 1950s and 1960s. Newer, more defined subdivisions make up most of the north half of the city, with house styles including ranch and French Country. These often date from the 1970s or later, while a few neighborhoods include small new construction plots. The city’s median home price is $260,000, which is lower than the national median.
Kenner experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters. Its low elevation and location between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain make it susceptible to flooding, especially from the hurricanes that often impact the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage in Kenner, as in much of the New Orleans area. The catastrophe was an inflection point that caused the city to improve much of its infrastructure and flood protection. However, hurricanes can still cause significant issues, as Hurricanes Ida and Francine brought torrential rains and flooding. “The city and the parish have improved levees and drainage, and many other things,” says Valerie Brolin, the public information officer for the city of Kenner. “But the new rating system doesn’t take into account those improvements, so insurance has risen significantly.” Much of the city lies within FEMA-designated flood zones for which flood insurance is mandatory.
Cottages are common in older sections of Kenner.
Ranch style homes are very common in Kenner.
French Country style homes can be found when looking to move to Kenner.
New construction plots can be found throughout Kenner.
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Jefferson Parish Public Schools in Kenner
Kenner students can attend Jefferson Parish Public Schools, which receives a B from Niche and is rated as the seventh-most diverse district in the state. Students can apply to the district’s Academies for Advanced Studies, which span the pipeline from elementary school to high school. Kenner also has a public charter school, the Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, which serves kids between pre-kindergarten and 12th grade. Students have access to highly rated private schools as well. Most are located in the adjacent city of Metairie. Nearby New Orleans is home to several colleges and universities, including Tulane University and Loyola University, on the city’s west edge 11 miles away.
Education goes beyond textbooks at Chateau Estates Elementary School.
Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy serves students Pre-K-12th grade.
The prestigious Tulane University resides in the Audubon neighborhood of New Orleans.
Audubon is home to world renowned universities like Loyola University.
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Laketown's upcoming improvements
While much of Kenner’s commercial landscape centers on the shore of the Mississippi River, its recreation focuses on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain. The Laketown area currently features a fishing pier, trails and the Coconut Beach Volleyball Complex. But — much like Rivertown — the city is investing in the complex to provide more to residents. Plans include a 7,500-capacity amphitheater and an inclusive playground. The city’s parks and recreation system also runs youth sports leagues and events like the Ole Man River Half Marathon, the only half-marathon held in Jefferson Parish.
Laketown in Kenner has a large fishing pier on Lake Pontchartrain.
Enjoy the walking path at Laketown in Kenner.
Coconut Beach Volleyball Complex sits near Laketown in Kenner.
Kids enjoy playing on the playground equipment at Laketown in Kenner.
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The revitalized Rivertown area of Kenner
The oldest section of Kenner sits along the Mississippi River, befittingly called Rivertown. While the area reached a nadir in the late aughts, it has steadily seen investment from the city government and local businesses over the last decade and a half. “Those buildings in Rivertown had held museums,” Brolin said. “But those museums mostly closed, and it was in rough shape a couple decades ago. Now, though, everybody wants to be down there.” Williams Boulevard is a commercial avenue through Kenner, with shopping centers and restaurants along the road. Kenner is roughly 30% Hispanic as of the 2020 census, and Williams Boulevard offers many authentic Hispanic businesses representing countries including Mexico, Peru, Honduras and more. In the center of town, the Esplanade Mall was once bustling but is now all but closed, as Dillards and Target are the only stores left. Kenner is working with the private owner to redevelop the property.
Rivertown is the oldest section of Kenner and sits along the Mississippi River.
Kenner has several museums like the Kenner Planetarium & MegaDome Cinema.
Kenner has many restaurants along Williams Blvd like Gendusa's Italian Eatery.
Shop at Target that is centrally located in Kenner.
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Proximity to New Orleans' cultural events
The two biggest events in Kenner are the Magical Christmas Village and the city’s Mardi Gras celebration. The Magical Christmas Village is set up in Rivertown Heritage Park, offering vendors, entertainment and holiday lights every night in December. Two months later, the city of Kenner puts on its Mardi Gras parade along with the parades thrown by the community’s Krewes. However, the city also benefits from its proximity to New Orleans, with residents often heading downtown for its events and celebrations.
The Market at Kenner City Park is a draw for people of all ages.
Get a sweet Hispanic treat from Saborcitos NOLA at The Market at Kenner City Park.
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Commuting traffic towards New Orleans
New Orleans is 10 miles from Kenner, and many residents head towards the city for work. Interstate 10 runs through the center of Kenner and is one of the main commuting routes. While the Jefferson Parish Transit system offers bus routes, most people own cars and drive themselves to work. The car-focused nature of the area creates congestion, especially when with the traffic crossing the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, which is 5 miles east of the city. “It sometimes gets backed up, especially during commutes, but it’s nothing like a Houston or another big city,” Brolin says. Only some people commute to New Orleans, though, as the Ochsner Health System has campuses throughout Kenner and the adjacent city of Metairie. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is located in Kenner, covering much of the city’s southern half and employing over 4,000 people. While the location makes travel convenient — the airport serves more than 50 destinations — it does come with noise concerns, especially south of I-10.
Average crime in Kenner
According to FBI statistics, the crime rate in Kenner generally hovers around the national rate. In December 2023, the violent crime rate was slightly lower than the national and state figures, and the property crime rate was above the Louisiana and countrywide rate for that month.
Written By
Brendan Doyle
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Andrew Williams
Video By
TJ Wengert
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