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Deriving its name from the French, "the good earth", Terrebonne offers a wealth of colorful and enriching experiences to its citizens. Superior health care, affordable cost of living, low crime, and an excellent educational system, are just a few of the outstanding attributes of our community. Whether in the areas of art, entertainment, recreation, or leisure, Terrebonne provides a diverse medley of vibrant, cultural opportunities for its populace.
Please explore the reasons we love Houma-Terrebonne:
Houma - Terrebonne Culture
For over 50 years Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) has been building a reputation based on quality and is a nationally recognized health care organization that provides state-of-the-art technology and cutting edge services. TGMC is a public, non-profit integrated healthcare system with a range of services such as rehabilitation and skilled nursing units, an outpatient surgery center, emergency care services, primary care services and a community outreach center. The medical center serves as a major economic force for the community with a staff of over 1200 employees. In addition, the hospital currently has a medical staff of over 150 registered physicians offering a variety of specialties ranging from family practice to cardiovascular surgery.
Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center (CMC)
This nationally recognized hospital is part of the Louisiana State University Medical Center-Health Care Sciences Division and operates as one of the nine charity facilities in the state. Additionally, the hospital serves as a teaching facility providing clinical training for physicians and allied health personnel. CMC is accredited by The Joint Commission (JCAHO) on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, operates 147 licensed hospital beds and employs over 1,000 personnel and medical services to the population of Region III.
Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS)
Houma is proud to be the home of one of the United States' largest and most comprehensive centers for the nonsurgical and surgical treatment of heart disease. Founded in 1983, CIS now has a group of over 30 cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. Together they represent every specialty in heart and circulatory medicine, with clinics in over a dozen communities.
Physicians Surgical Specialty Hospital (PSSH)
Specialty hospitals have existed throughout the country for some time and are becoming increasingly popular. PSSH is a Medi-Care certified, state licensed acute care hospital founded by physicians in the medical community as an alternative to traditional hospitals. PSSH offers most services that one might expect from a larger, more institutionalized facility. Over 100 employees, including 50 nurses, are employed by the hospital.
Nursing Homes
Houma also has four nursing homes: Heritage Manor, Mason de Ville, Evangeline Village, and Southdown Care Center. The homes have a total bed count of 557.
Cost of Living in Houma-Terrebonne
To learn more about our cost of living, please review this Cost of Living Report with information about Terrebonne.
Public and Private Schools
In Terrebonne Parish, our school system consists of 41 school sites: four senior highs, three junior highs, and 30 elementary and middle schools, one vocational training school, one school for exceptional children, and two alternative secondary schools.
We have 19,600 students enrolled in the Terrebonne Parish public school system and 1,300 qualified teachers. Valuable interaction, information, and feedback are provided through active Parent Teacher Organizations throughout our public school system.
The Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence
This Louisiana non-profit corporation which, through the efforts of concerned parents, community members, and teachers, has the greatest potential to make a direct impact on successful student learning. Over the past six years the Foundation has awarded more than $128,000 in "Grants for Teachers" to teachers in the public school system. Through matching funds received from the Louisiana Board of Elementary & Secondary Education (BESE) an additional $200,000.00, ($50,000 annually) has been awarded to teachers over the past four years. The Foundation believes that the success of our public schools is one of the most important determinants of the quality of life for our community.
Higher Education
Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University, founded in 1948, is located in Thibodaux (only 17 miles from Houma) enrolls approximately 7,500 students and offers 80 degree programs, with a growing number of master's degree programs.
Established along the banks of Bayou Lafourche, in the heart of one of the nationâ??s major estuaries, Nicholls provides unique opportunities for instruction and research in the fields of marine and environmental science. The university has taken advantage of its strategic location to assume a leadership role in a region with ample resources in agricultural, fishing, petrochemical, and oil field-related industries. As a leader, the university continues to contribute significantly to the growth of the region in regard to new technology, manufacturing, and international trade.
L.E. Fletcher Community College
L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College Tops List of the 50 Fastest Growing Two-Year Public Institutions in the Nation, (December 4, 2006, edition of Community College Week). The Fletcher Community College offers a wide variety of curricula, including: Business (Accounting and Office Systems), General Education, Marine (Online QMED General, Online QMED Oiler, Marine Co-op Program, Nautical Science Degree), Nursing & Allied Health (Practical Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy, Emergency Med. Tech.), Technical Programs (Automotive, Drafting, Electrician, Electronics, Res. Air Conditioning, Machine Tools, Marine Diesel, Welding). The college has two campuses in Houma.
Louisiana Underwater Marine Consortium (LUMCON)
LUMCON, a world-class research facility, located in Terrebonne Parish, was formed under joint agreement and a legislative act to provide coastal research facilities, marine-related instruction, and public service for citizens of Louisiana. It has allowed for the construction of a coastal learning and research center similar to those found in other coastal states.
The Terrebonne Parish Library
Complimenting its education system, Terrebonne's main branch library is a state-of-the art 72,000 square foot facility that provides services for every interest and age group. The Terrebonne Parish library system has another 9 branches located throughout the parish.
Education Facilities in Terrebonne Area
4-Year Colleges & Universities (within 60 miles)
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Nicholls State University |
Thibodaux |
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University of New Orleans |
New Orleans |
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Southern University |
New Orleans |
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Loyola University |
New Orleans |
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Dillard University |
New Orleans |
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Our Lady of Holy Cross |
New Orleans |
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Xavier University |
New Orleans |
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Tulane University |
New Orleans |
2 Year Colleges
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L.E. Fletcher Community College |
Houma |
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Delgado Collge |
New Orleans |
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Elaine P. Nunez |
Chalmette |
Source: Louisiana Board of Regents
Primary/Seconday Education
41 Public School Sites
4 Senior High Schools
3 Junior High Schools
30 Elementary and Middle
1 Vocational Training School
1 School for the Exceptional
8 Private Non-Public Primary and Secondary Schools
1 Senior and Junior High School
7 Elementary and Middle
Source: Terrebonne Parish School District
Public Libray
Branches- Bayou Dularge, Bourg, Chauvin, East Houma, Grand Caillou, Montegut, North Branch, Pointe Au Chene, West Terrebonne
Source: State Library of Louisiana, Public Libraries in Louisiana Statistical Report
Consolidated Government
Terrebonne Parish operates as consolidated government provided by the Home Charter Rule and consists of a "President-Council" form of government. It consists of an elected Council which is called the Terrebonne Parish Council constitutes the legislative branch of the government and the elected Parish President who is the Chief Executive Officer and head of the executive branch. All of the government functions operate within the consolidated governmentâ??s powers including, but not limited to, permitting, law enforcement, utilities, tax collections, and recreation.
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Average elevation |
15ft. |
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Land area in sq. miles |
1255 s/m |
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Water area in sq. miles |
825 s/m |
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Average temperatures: |
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Annual |
68 degrees |
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January |
62 degrees |
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July |
90 degrees |
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Annual average rainfall |
63 in. |
Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center
 The arts thrive in Terrebonne Parish, and Houma's new $15 million civic center offers an active season of musicals, concerts, and performing arts events. The 100,000 square foot civic center is a state-of-the-art facility that seats 5,000 and provides a venue to accommodate the events that attract larger audiences, such as Broadway shows (e.g. Annie, Cats, and Grease), as well as rock concerts and other musical events.
Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne
Our local theater group produces five plays a year and is supported by a roster of 900 members. We love our theater here and are proud of the consistent, outstanding quality of performances. The historic building that houses Le Petit Theater dates back to the 1930's, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild
The Guild operates the Downtown Art Gallery, which provides an ongoing assortment of varied presentations in different mediums of work.
The Houma-Terrebonne Arts and Humanities Council
Founded in 1983, the HTAHC is a non-profit organization officially designated by parish and state government to provide financing, services, and other programs for arts organizations and individual artists in Terrebonne Parish. In addition to providing the parish with over $85,000 in art funding each year, the HTAHC sponsors annual programs like the Summer Concert Series, the Summer Performing Arts Camp, visual art shows, art workshops, grant writing workshops, and a Christmas performance.
Life without fun is, well . . . not much fun. That's how we think in Terrebonne Parish. Newcomers agree that we definitely take our fun seriously, whether it's sports, outdoor activities, crafts, or the arts. Having fun is part of our culture. It is a long-standing tradition here in Cajun Country. Being located in the southern extreme of the state, Terrebonne Parish has a climate that allows for year-round sports and outdoor activities. Our state nickname says it all: "The Sportsman's Paradise."
Fishing
 The king of sports in south Louisiana is fishing, and Terrebonne lays claim to some of the best recreational freshwater and saltwater fishing in the world. Those who really crave recreational and sports fishing will be quickly satisfied.
Hunting
We have prime hunting land here in the Sportsman's Paradise, especially for waterfowl. During the hunting season from November to January, large flocks of teal, mallard, pintail, gadwall, redhead, and canvas back ducks literally fill the sky. Hunters will also discover blue, white, and speckled-belly geese soaring across Terrebonne Parish's hunting grounds.
Golf
Augusta, Georgia, may have its famous azaleas and dogwoods, but, for the golfer or golfer-to-be, Terrebonne Parish has something even better. We think of it as breathtaking-our stunningly beautiful golf courses filled with huge native live oaks draped with graceful Spanish moss.
Eco Tourism
To really appreciate the richness of Terrebonne's natural resources, you must take a tour through our wetlands. Discover the land that makes our area so unique, so rich, and so evocative: the cypress, the black water, the draping moss. You can see the land and terrain with its multitude of wildlife that has been a part of our lore and lives for centuries. Animals like alligators, cranes, herons and swamp rabbits are plentiful and can be easily seen on your tour.
Museums
Culture is not complete without its museums, and in Terrebonne Parish, our culture is well-rounded. We have several museums, sanctuaries, and research institutes which accentuate the natural beauty of the land that surrounds us. The Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum, Terrebonne Folklife & Cultural Arts Museum, Terrebonne Museum, Wildlife Reserves & Sanctuaries, and Louisiana Underwater Marine Consortium (LUMCON), offer a unique educational opportunity to survey the land, fauna, and flora here in Terrebonne Parish.
Recreational Sports
A host of other recreational activities are sponsored by the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Recreation Department, including softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, bantam football, and swimming.
Festivals and Music
Here is a well-known fact, at least to the locals: fun and good times for the people of Houma and Terrebonne  Parish are as important as breathing...maybe even more important. In New Orleans, you'll hear "Laissez les bons temps roulez:" - Let the good times roll. In Terrebonne, we believe that, and we've always believed in helping everyone "Passe un bon temp" - Pass a good time. So getting together and going out is a natural part of our culture here. And that's one reason we have so many celebrations and festivals throughout the year.
Mardi Gras
 Houma is the home to the second largest Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans. The parade and krewes in all their pageantry run along Main Street, Zydeco fills the air, Cajun food and crawfish are bountiful, and general high merriment and good times soar.
Pow-Wows
A rich Native American tradition continues to maintain a strong presence in this Terrebonne. Two energy-filled pow-wows take place during the year: the Calling of the Tribes and the Grand Bois Intertribal. Both colorful events feature Native American crafts, food, and dances.
We embrace a joie de vivre here in the heart of Cajun Country, especially because we can enjoy all the good things that go on in our parish, and because of all the fine people who call it home. So please feel welcomed, and be sure to slow down enough to see all that Terrebonne Parish has to offer. Take a moment and pass a good time on the bayou. You'll be glad you did.
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