According to the Louisiana Office of Tourism, Raceland was named for the Race family that once owned a large plantation named "Raceland" on Bayou Lafourche.[2]
Raceland sugar plantation was founded by Ebeneezer Eaton Kittredge and his son in law Fayette Clay Ewing. On April 19, 1855 a daughter of Kittredge, Olivia Corrinne, married George W. Race.[3] The plantation was named Raceland the same year in honor of the young couple who made it their first home where their children were born.[4]
U.S. Route 90 passes through the southeast part of Raceland, leading northeast 44 miles (71 km) to New Orleans and west 40 miles (64 km) to Morgan City. Louisiana Highways 1 and 308 pass through the center of Raceland, on the south and the north sides of Bayou Lafourche, respectively. Both highways lead southeast (downriver) 7 miles (11 km) to Lockport and northwest (upriver) 15 miles (24 km) to Thibodaux, the parish seat. Louisiana Highway 182 passes through the center of Raceland on the old route of US-90; it leads northeast 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to US-90 and southwest 12 miles (19 km) to Houma.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Raceland CDP has a total area of 21.6 square miles (56.0 km2), of which 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.23%, are water.[6]
Raceland High School opened in 1912 and was expanded in 1924; it was consolidated into Lafourche Central High along with Lockport High School in 1966. An elementary school occupies the former Raceland High.[17] In the era before desegregation (circa 1969) Raceland Colored School educated black residents.[18]
Lafourche Parish Library operates the Raceland Branch.[19]
Donald G. Bollinger, founder of Bollinger Shipyards (1946) and state chairman of the Republican Party of Louisiana (1986–1988); born and died in Raceland, resided as an adult in Lockport
