St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
St. Bernard Parish lies just southeast of New Orleans, stretching along the Mississippi River as it winds toward the Gulf of Mexico. The parish was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but its communities have worked hard to rebuild and recover in the years since.
Known for excellent catfishing, St. Bernard’s wetlands are rich in wildlife, including alligators, herons, and other native species. The local food scene is another highlight, with favorites such as char-grilled oysters and authentic po’boys reflecting the parish’s strong Louisiana culinary traditions.
St. Bernard Parish has a deep sense of history, community, and resilience, along with a distinctive natural landscape shaped by rivers, wetlands, and coastal waterways. Though relatively small, the parish has a strong local identity and plenty of character.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Parish Name | St. Bernard Parish |
| Parish Seat | Chalmette |
| Etymology | Named after Saint Bernard, the patron saint of Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez, who helped settlers in the area |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Chalmette, Arabi, Meraux, Violet, Poydras, St. Bernard, Ycloskey, Delacroix, Hopedale |
| Interstates and Highways | LA-39, LA-46, LA-47 |
| FIPS Code | 22-087 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 2,158 square miles (378 sq mi land, 1,780 sq mi water) |
| Adjacent Parishes (and Direction) | Hancock County, Mississippi (North), Harrison County, Mississippi (Northeast), Orleans Parish (Northwest), Plaquemines Parish (South), St. Tammany Parish (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| State | Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 29.8786° N, 89.3513° W |
| Major Landmarks | Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery, Los Islenos Museum and Village, St. Bernard State Park, Fort Proctor, Bayou Road, Shell Beach |
| Population | Approximately 46,000 |
