Where is Donaldsonville, Louisiana

Donaldsonville is a historic city and the parish seat of Ascension Parish in southeastern Louisiana. It sits along the Mississippi River near the southern edge of the Baton Rouge area, about 30 miles west of Baton Rouge and 55 miles northwest of New Orleans. The city is known for its historic downtown, riverfront setting, and deep connections to Louisiana's political and cultural history.

Location Map of Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, Louisiana

About Map: The map shows the location of Donaldsonville in Ascension Parish, in the U.S. state of Louisiana.

Donaldsonville Map, Louisiana

Where is Donaldsonville Located?

Donaldsonville is a city located in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, the United States. It is located in southeastern Louisiana where Bayou Lafourche meets the Mississippi River. Donaldsonville is about 30 miles west of Baton Rouge and approximately 55 miles northwest of New Orleans. The city lies at approximately 30.10° North latitude and 90.99° West longitude. The 2020 Census recorded 6,695 residents. The Census Bureau reports a 2020 land area of about 3.78 square miles (9.79 square kilometers). The Mississippi River is a major geographic feature and has shaped the city's history as a river port. Donaldsonville was incorporated in 1813 and served as Louisiana's state capital from 1829 to 1831. Its historic district contains many 19th-century buildings, while nearby Bayou Lafourche adds to the area's distinctive landscape. The city is also known for its important African American history, including the legacy of Pierre Caliste Landry, who became the first African American mayor of an incorporated town in the United States.

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Donaldsonville City Facts

Distance from Donaldsonville, LA to Nearby Cities

• White Castle, LA – 9 miles (14 km)
• Napoleonville, LA – 14 miles (23 km)
• Gonzales, LA – 16 miles (26 km)
• St. Gabriel, LA – 19 miles (31 km)
• Plaquemine, LA – 20 miles (32 km)
• Thibodaux, LA – 25 miles (40 km)
• Baton Rouge, LA – 30 miles (48 km)
• New Roads, LA – 32 miles (51 km)
• Houma, LA – 43 miles (69 km)
• New Iberia, LA – 45 miles (72 km)
• Lafayette, LA – 55 miles (89 km)
• New Orleans, LA – 55 miles (89 km)
• Hammond, LA – 60 miles (97 km)
• Slidell, LA – 75 miles (121 km)
• Lake Charles, LA – 115 miles (185 km)

Top Attractions in Donaldsonville

• Donaldsonville Historic District – A historic area with preserved homes, churches, commercial buildings, and other structures from the city's early development.
• Ascension Parish Courthouse – A prominent historic civic building in downtown Donaldsonville.
• River Road – A scenic route along the Mississippi River with historic plantations and distinctive Louisiana landscapes.
• St. Joseph Co-Cathedral – A historic Catholic church and important architectural landmark in downtown Donaldsonville.
• Bayou Lafourche – A major Louisiana waterway that begins at the Mississippi River near Donaldsonville and flows south through the bayou region.
• Mississippi River – The riverfront is central to Donaldsonville's history, transportation, commerce, and geography.
• Madewood Plantation – A historic Greek Revival plantation house near Napoleonville that reflects the region's plantation-era history.
• Houmas House Plantation and Gardens – A historic plantation property near Darrow known for its gardens, architecture, and Mississippi River setting.

Airports Near Donaldsonville

• Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) – 35 miles
• Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) – 60 miles
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) – 65 miles
• Houma-Terrebonne Airport (HUM) – 65 miles

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the official City of Donaldsonville website and local government records.

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