Founded in 1813 and part of the New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area, the city of Covington La packs a mighty punch when it comes to river cities with Southern charm. With an expansive parks system, a well-preserved snapshot of history in the downtown historic district, and an unmatched sense of community, this small city has the ability to appeal to a variety of homebuyers.
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The citizens are the lifeblood of Covington, LA, according to the town's Mayor Mike Cooper. The parish seat of St. Tammany Parish, Covington had a population of 9,352 in 2013. Because Covington is elevated to a point in which it was relatively safe from the great storm surge during Hurricane Katrina, it sheltered a large number of New Orleans residents who were forced to move away. As a result, the population is steadily growing, with as much as 10% growth since 2000.
2013 estimates of the racial makeup of Covington include White (67.2%), Black (25.5%), Hispanic (5.8%), Biracial (0.9%), Asian (0.4%), and Native American (0.2%). The population is approximately 52.7 percent male and 47.3 percent female. The median age for Covington citizens is 40.6 years old.
Based on the population of Covington LA residents who are age 15 or older, nearly 33 percent report never being married, 40 percent are currently married, and 16 percent report being divorced. More than 82 percent of Covington residents hold a high school diploma, 30 percent have bachelor's degrees or higher, and about 12 percent have graduate or professional degrees.
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Although it's located approximately 45 minutes north of Crescent City, the citizens of Covington La still know how to enjoy culture. The city features a wide range of restaurants offering everything from breakfast to dinner and everything in between. Residents and tourists alike can enjoy casual bar and grill experienced to elaborate, white-tableclothed fine dining establishments.
Stroll along the downtown historic district and admire the conservation efforts of the City of Covington in maintaining numerous magnificent homes and buildings. This quaint town features a wide selection of choices for boutique shopping, or one can rest his heels and savor a fresh pastry and coffee at a nearby coffee shop. The city's social events calendar stays filled with a variety of cultural events including the farmer's market, shows at the Furhmann Auditorium, and the Sunset at the Landing Concert Series.
If shopping and museum visits don't spark your fancy, you can pack up a lunch and take the whole family to picnic under one of the glorious hardwood or pine trees at Bogue Falaya Park.
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In June of 2014, the unemployment rate for Covington La was less than the state-wide rate (4.8% vs. 5.7%). Over 38 percent of Covington's residents live and work in the city. Industries common in the city from most to least include accommodation and food services, construction, retail trade, wholesale trade, health care and social assistance, manufacturing, and professional, scientific, and technical services respectively.
Families with school-age children may choose from public elementary or middle schools, such as Covington Elementary School, E.E. Lyon Elementary School, Lee Road Junior High School, Pine View Middle School, and William Pitcher Junior High School. Covington High School serves older students from grades 8 to 12. In addition to the public school system, there are a variety of religious and non-religious private schools serving students of all ages.
The estimated median value of a Covington house or condo based on 2013 reports was $204,612. For those looking to rent, the media cost of gross rent was $852. The cost of living in Covington is slightly less than the United States' average. Meanwhile, the median household income for Covington LA residents in 2013 was approximately $46,313, with the estimated per capital income of $24,868.
The health-conscious can take advantage of the Covington Trailhead that provides access to the St. Tammany Trace, which features more than 30 miles of paved trails for hikers, runners, and cyclists.
The Ronald Reagan statue located in Covington LA is 10 feet tall and the allegedly the world's largest such status of the former president.
Covington is a popular location for filming, which boosts the local economy and offers residents a chance to meet a few movie stars. Popular films such as Eve's Bayou (1997) and The Lucky One (2012) were filmed within the city.
Covington is also home to a fair share of famous or noteworthy people. Ian Somerhalder, star of the hit CW television show The Vampire Diaries, in addition to a range of musicians, athletes, politicians, and filmmakers, were either born or now live in the city.
Those interested in a perfect combination of outdoorsy activities and cultural events will love Covington LA. It's a beautiful and exciting place to call home.
