HomeLouisianaNew Iberia

New Iberia, Louisiana

New Iberia is the largest city in and the parish seat of Iberia Parish in the U.S.
Population 28,555

Top Events in New Iberia History

1
1779History
== History == New Iberia dates its founding to the spring of 1779, when a group of some 500 colonists (Malagueños) from Spain, led by Lieutenant Colonel Don Francisco Bouligny, ...
2
1802Architecture
government opened a post office in the town, officially recognizing the name as New Iberia, but postmarks from 1802 show the town being called “Nova Iberia” (Latin for "new").
3
1814History
The Spanish settlers called the town "Nueva Iberia" in honor of the Iberian Peninsula; French-speakers referred to the town as "Nouvelle Ibérie" while the English settlers arriv...
4
1839Government
The town was incorporated in 1839 as the "Town of Iberia", but the state legislature amended the town's charter in 1847, recognizing New Iberia as the town's name.
5
1862History
In operation since 1862.
6
1868Government
In 1868, Iberia Parish was established, and New Iberia became the seat of parish government.
7
1884Architecture
By 1884 a new courthouse was completed on a landscaped lot in downtown New Iberia, at the present-day site of Bouligny Plaza.
8
1897History
representative from 1897 to 1915 and U.S.
9
1912Economy
Conrad Rice Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places, oldest rice mill in operation since 1912, offering public tours.
10
1915History
senator from 1915 to 1918 Patrick T.

Latest News from Louisiana

22-Year-Old Arrested for Raping 94-Year-Old in Baton Rouge
In the heart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a community has been left reeling from the arrest of 22-year-old Jeremiah Taylor, accused …

Historical Timeline

1779History
== History == New Iberia dates its founding to the spring of 1779, when a group of some 500 colonists (Malagueños) from Spain, led by Lieutenant Colonel Don Francisco Bouligny, ...
1802Architecture
government opened a post office in the town, officially recognizing the name as New Iberia, but postmarks from 1802 show the town being called “Nova Iberia” (Latin for "new").
1814History
The Spanish settlers called the town "Nueva Iberia" in honor of the Iberian Peninsula; French-speakers referred to the town as "Nouvelle Ibérie" while the English settlers arriv...
1839Government
The town was incorporated in 1839 as the "Town of Iberia", but the state legislature amended the town's charter in 1847, recognizing New Iberia as the town's name.
1862History
In operation since 1862.
1868Government
In 1868, Iberia Parish was established, and New Iberia became the seat of parish government.
1884Architecture
By 1884 a new courthouse was completed on a landscaped lot in downtown New Iberia, at the present-day site of Bouligny Plaza.
1897History
representative from 1897 to 1915 and U.S.
1912Economy
Conrad Rice Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places, oldest rice mill in operation since 1912, offering public tours.
1915History
senator from 1915 to 1918 Patrick T.
1921History
senator from 1921 to 1933 Robert F.
1940History
That courthouse served Iberia Parish until 1940.
1945Economy
The Air-Conditioned Nightmare (1945) travelogue book mentions Henry Miller's stay in New Iberia.
1976Government
Mary, and Vermilion parishes (1976–96) Billy Hewes, Mississippi politician Jeff Landry, Governor of Louisiana (2024-), lived in New Iberia Wilbert J.
1980Economy
Among the lakes near the city is Lake Peigneur, which was formerly a 10-foot (3.0 m) deep freshwater lake until a 1980 disaster involving oil drilling and a salt mine.
1983History
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge from 1983 until present John Duhe, U.S.
1988History
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge from 1988 to 2011 Ted Haik, state representative from Iberia, St.
2000History
In 2000, the population density was 3,088.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,192.6/km2).
2008Disaster
In September 2008, New Iberia was struck by Hurricane Ike.
2009Government
In the Electric Mist, a movie based on one of Burke's novels, was filmed in New Iberia in 2009 and starred Tommy Lee Jones.
2019History
The 2019 American Community Survey estimated 29,456 people resided in the city limits.
2020History
== Demographics == As of the 2020 United States census, there were 28,555 people, 11,030 households, and 7,338 families residing in the city.
2021History
As of 2021, annual average high temperature is 79.1 °F (26.2 °C) and the annual low is 59.4 °F (15.2 °C).
2022Disaster
On December 14, 2022, the southeastern part of the city was heavily damaged by a high-end EF2 tornado, injuring 16 people.

Did You Know?

1
New Iberia is located in the state of Louisiana.
2
New Iberia has a population of 28,555 residents.
3
The city of New Iberia is located approximately 21 miles southeast of Lafayette, and forms part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area in the region of Acadiana.

Famous People from New Iberia, Louisiana

KB
Kathleen Blanco
Teacher, Politician · Born Dec 15, 1942 · Died Aug 18, 2019 (age 76)
VT
Vivien Thomas
Physician, Cardiac Surgeon · Born Aug 29, 1910 · Died Nov 26, 1985 (age 75)
PR
Peter Renaday
Actor, Stage Actor · Born Jun 9, 1935 · Died Sep 8, 2024 (age 89)
RB
Robert F. Broussard
Lawyer, Politician · Born Aug 17, 1864 · Died Apr 12, 1918 (age 53)
LC
Lucky Cannon
Professional Wrestler · Born Nov 8, 1983 · Age 42

Other Cities in Louisiana

View all Louisiana cities →
NO
New Orleans
Pop. 383,997
BR
Baton Rouge
Pop. 218,223
S
Shreveport
Pop. 171,469
L
Lafayette
Pop. 126,000
LC
Lake Charles
Pop. 83,000
BC
Bossier City
Pop. 68,000
See something that needs correcting?
We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep New Iberia's history right.