The land that is now River Ridge was developed by French colonists and their descendants in the late 18th and early 19th centuries for large sugar plantations; these lined the Mississippi River in traditional French long-lot fashion. The plantations had relatively narrow waterfronts, in order to provide water access, and extended deeply back from the river. These plantations were developed by French colonists and their descendants; they depended on the labor of African slaves. Major landowners included members of the Trudeau and Sauve families. (Pierre Sauve (1805-1867) had a major plantation here known as Providence.)
The alignments of the major streets in the area are vestiges of this era. Sauve Road continues to be a main thoroughfare in River Ridge.
In 1849, a major flooding event known as Sauvé's Crevasse occurred. The crude river levee at the Sauve Providence plantation failed under pressure of high water on the Mississippi. The massive flood inundated much of the land to the east, including parts of New Orleans. This crevasse occurred where a former meander of the Mississippi River once branched to form the Metairie and Gentilly Ridges.
In the early 20th century, an interurban transit line was constructed through this area. It served to connect the cities of New Orleans and Kenner. It was aligned along the present course of Jefferson Highway, which was improved from earlier roads.
For many years the area remained rural farmland, until the post-World War II suburbanization era. Aided by funding under the G.I. Bill, which enabled veterans to buy houses, large-scale suburban development began in the early 1950s. By 1965, virtually all of the area along the Mississippi River between Harahan and Kenner was developed. This area at the time was known as "Little Farms", a name which well described its pre-urban history; this was also the place name officially recognized by the Post Office. (To this day Little Farms Avenue remains a major River Ridge thoroughfare.) Other subdivision names such as "East Bank" and "Rural Acres" were used as place names for the area at the time.
To eliminate confusion and create some sense of community identity, the area between Kenner, Harahan, Metairie, and the Mississippi River was officially renamed "River Ridge" in 1974.
In 2019, a baseball team from River Ridge won the Little League World Series, becoming the first team from Louisiana to do so. They also became the first team since 2001 to lose their opening game, but win the championship.[3]
At the census[7] of 2000, there were 14,588 people, 6,030 households, and 4,082 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 5,181.6 inhabitants per square mile (2,000.6/km2). There were 6,325 housing units at an average density of 2,246.6 per square mile (867.4/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.76% White, 10.99% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latinos of any race were 2.92% of the population. At the 2020 United States census,[2] there were 13,591 people, 5,546 households, and 3,579 families residing in the CDP, reflecting a slight population decline from the 2000 U.S. census. Its racial and ethnic makeup by 2020 was 73.32% non-Hispanic white, 11.8% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.43% two or more races, and 10.09% Hispanic or Latino American, reflecting the diversification of the United States at the 2020 census.[8][9]
Culture
Paradise Manor Community Club is the swimming and tennis club for River Ridge.
According to Census 2000, River Ridge had 30 houses valued at $1,000,000 or more.
Formerly Hazel Park took elementary grades,[14] while Riverdale Middle School in Jefferson (now a part of Jefferson PK-8) took middle school grades.[15]
In regards to the advanced studies academies, students are zoned to Airline Park Academy.[16]
Jefferson Parish Library operates the River Ridge Branch Library in River Ridge.[17] The library held its grand opening ceremony on Friday, May 4, 2018.[17]
Athletics
In August 2019, the Little League baseball team from River Ridge made history by being the first team from Louisiana to win the US Championship and World Series Final.[18]
