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Catahoula Parish, Louisiana

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Catahoula Parish (French: Paroisse de Catahoula) is a parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,906.[1] Its seat is Harrisonburg,[2] on the Ouachita River. The parish was formed in 1808, shortly after the United States acquired this territory in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.[3]

Catahoula Parish
Parish
Historic Marker Signs at Ferry Place and Peck Mounds.
Historic Marker Signs at Ferry Place and Peck Mounds.
Map of Louisiana highlighting Catahoula Parish
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Map of the United States highlighting Louisiana
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°40′N 91°51′W / 31.67°N 91.85°W / 31.67; -91.85
Country United States
State Louisiana
FoundedMarch 23, 1808
Named forTensas word for big, clear lake
SeatHarrisonburg
Largest townJonesville
Area
 • Total
739 sq mi (1,910 km2)
 • Land708 sq mi (1,830 km2)
 • Water31 sq mi (80 km2)  4.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
8,906
 • Density12/sq mi (4.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.discovercatahoula.com

History

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Prehistory

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Main article: History of Louisiana § Prehistory

Catahoula Parish was the home to many succeeding Native American groups in the thousands of years before European settlements began. Peoples of the Marksville culture, Troyville culture, Coles Creek culture and Plaquemine culture built villages and mound sites throughout the area. Notable examples include Peck Mounds, and the Troyville Earthworks. The Troyville Earthworks have components dating from 100 BCE to 700 CE during the Baytown to the Troyville-Coles Creek periods.[4]

It once had the tallest mound in Louisiana at 82 feet (25 m) in height; it was the second-tallest mound in North America (after Monk's Mound at Cahokia Mounds). This mound was destroyed to make way for the Jonesville bridge over the Black River.[4]

Historic era

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The parish was founded in 1808 and originally incorporated a very large area. As population increased in the region, new parishes were organized from the territory first included in Catahoula Parish. The parish was divided by the state in 1910, when La Salle Parish was formed from its old western section. As one of the new parishes organized during early United States settlement of this part of the state, it has had the third most boundary changes since that time. Only Natchitoches and Ouachita parishes have had more revisions of boundaries.

This area was settled primarily by migrants from the southern United States after the Louisiana Purchase, when the US acquired the vast, former French-claimed territory west of the Mississippi River. White migrants to north and central Louisiana were from the South, and were mainly of British descent and Protestant religions. They brought a new influence into Louisiana. Some also brought or purchased African-American slaves to work on larger plantations. Many of these were from the Upper South, which sold slaves through the domestic market. They brought their own cultural influences as well.

The plantations included the Battleground Plantation, Ferry Place Plantation, and Marengo Plantation, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The other listed buildings include Catahoula Parish Courthouse, Harrisonburg Methodist Church, Sargent House, and Spring Ridge Baptist Church.

Catahoula dog

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Main article: Catahoula Cur

Catahoula Parish lays claim to its namesake Catahoula Leopard dog breed. The Catahoula breed was owned by Colonel James "Jim" Bowie of the Alamo and his brother Rezin Bowie, both of Louisiana.[5] During the early 1900s, Theodore Roosevelt used the Catahoula when hunting.[6] Louisiana Governor Earl Kemp Long also collected these dogs.[5]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 739 square miles (1,910 km2), of which 708 square miles (1,830 km2) is land and 31 square miles (80 km2) (4.2%) is water.[7] It is home to Sandy Lake.

Major highways

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Adjacent parishes

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18202,287—
18302,58112.9%
18404,95592.0%
18507,13243.9%
186011,65163.4%
18708,475−27.3%
188010,27721.3%
189012,00216.8%
190016,35136.2%
191010,415−36.3%
192011,0746.3%
193012,45112.4%
194014,61817.4%
195011,834−19.0%
196011,421−3.5%
197011,7693.0%
198012,2874.4%
199011,065−9.9%
200010,920−1.3%
201010,407−4.7%
20208,906−14.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010[12]

2020 census

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Catahoula Parish racial composition[13]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 5,738 64.43%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 2,275 25.54%
Native American 34 0.38%
Asian 26 0.29%
Pacific Islander 6 0.07%
Other/Mixed 213 2.39%
Hispanic or Latino 614 6.89%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 8,906 people, 3,364 households, and 2,421 families residing in the parish.

2000 census

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As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 10,920 people, 4,082 households, and 2,992 families residing in the parish. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6.2 people/km2). There were 5,351 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the parish was 71.78% White, 27.12% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,082 households, out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 14.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the parish the population was spread out, with 25.80% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.

The median income for a household in the parish was $22,528, and the median income for a family was $27,206. Males had a median income of $26,181 versus $18,427 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $12,608. About 22.60% of families and 28.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.80% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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Catahoula Parish School Board operates local public schools.

National Guard

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The 1087TH Transportation Company of the 165TH CSS (combat service support) Battalion of the 139TH RSG (regional support group) resides in Jonesville, Louisiana.

Communities

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Map of Catahoula Parish, Louisiana With Municipal Labels

Town

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Villages

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Unincorporated areas

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Notable people

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Catahoula Parish, Louisiana[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,258 74.93% 1,060 24.38% 30 0.69%
2020 3,541 72.89% 1,269 26.12% 48 0.99%
2016 3,479 71.64% 1,322 27.22% 55 1.13%
2012 2,744 65.44% 1,408 33.58% 41 0.98%
2008 3,486 66.72% 1,659 31.75% 80 1.53%
2004 3,219 64.98% 1,673 33.77% 62 1.25%
2000 2,912 61.11% 1,718 36.05% 135 2.83%
1996 1,770 34.26% 2,692 52.11% 704 13.63%
1992 1,976 36.12% 2,570 46.97% 925 16.91%
1988 2,862 57.82% 1,916 38.71% 172 3.47%
1984 3,640 67.52% 1,649 30.59% 102 1.89%
1980 2,942 53.19% 2,414 43.64% 175 3.16%
1976 2,086 43.76% 2,547 53.43% 134 2.81%
1972 2,683 73.15% 823 22.44% 162 4.42%
1968 755 17.97% 769 18.31% 2,677 63.72%
1964 2,387 81.00% 560 19.00% 0 0.00%
1960 971 45.54% 558 26.17% 603 28.28%
1956 845 46.89% 707 39.23% 250 13.87%
1952 884 39.82% 1,336 60.18% 0 0.00%
1948 86 5.16% 515 30.91% 1,065 63.93%
1944 291 19.41% 1,208 80.59% 0 0.00%
1940 134 8.14% 1,512 91.86% 0 0.00%
1936 98 6.71% 1,363 93.29% 0 0.00%
1932 29 2.12% 1,340 97.88% 0 0.00%
1928 341 32.45% 710 67.55% 0 0.00%
1924 78 26.35% 218 73.65% 0 0.00%
1920 176 25.40% 517 74.60% 0 0.00%
1916 20 4.17% 459 95.63% 1 0.21%
1912 11 2.96% 275 73.92% 86 23.12%

Catahoula Parish has proven to be an accurate bellwether for the state, consistently reflecting the statewide presidential election outcomes in every election since 1964. Although the parish trends Democratic in local elections, in the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama of Illinois received only 1,659 votes (31.8 percent) compared to 3,486 (66.7 percent) for the Republican nominee, John S. McCain of Arizona.[16] The 2008 totals mirrored those of 2004, when Catahoula Parish cast 3,219 (65.0 percent) for President George W. Bush and 1,673 ballots (34.8 percent) for his Democratic rival, Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts.[17] Local officials are almost entirely Democratic in affiliation. Republicans rarely contest such elections.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Catahoula Parish, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Catahoula Parish". Center for Cultural and Eco-Tourism. Archived from the original on August 20, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Indian Mounds of Northeast Louisiana : Troyville Earthworks". Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  5. ^ a b Cracker Catahoulas Archived June 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Molosser World: Catahoula Bulldog Archived April 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 15, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  13. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  16. ^ "Louisiana general election returns, November 4, 2008". sos.louisiana.gov. Retrieved June 15, 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  17. ^ "Louisiana general election returns, November 2, 2004". sos.louisiana.gov. Retrieved June 15, 2010. [dead link‍]
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31°40′N 91°51′W / 31.67°N 91.85°W / 31.67; -91.85

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