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Acadia Parish, Louisiana

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Acadia Parish (French: Paroisse de l'Acadie) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. At the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 57,576.[1] The parish seat and the most populous municipality is Crowley.[2] The parish was founded from parts of St. Landry Parish in 1886, and later an election was held to determine the parish seat, ending when Crowley beat Rayne and Prairie Hayes.[3] Acadia Parish is included in the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area.

Acadia Parish
Parish
Acadia Parish Courthouse
Acadia Parish Courthouse
Map of Louisiana highlighting Acadia Parish
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Map of the United States highlighting Louisiana
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°16′N 92°24′W / 30.267°N 92.400°W / 30.267; -92.400
Country United States
State Louisiana
FoundedJune 30, 1886
Named forThe Acadians
SeatCrowley
Largest cityCrowley
Area
 • Total
657 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Land655 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Water2.3 sq mi (6 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
57,576
 • Density88/sq mi (34/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.appj.org/index.html

History

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The name of the parish is derived from the former French colony of Acadia in Canada (which consisted of the modern provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and much of Maine). After Britain defeated France in the Seven Years War, they took control of their North American colonies east of the Mississippi River. They required ethnic French Acadians to take a loyalty oath and never got over their suspicions of them. They deported many of the French-speaking inhabitants to France. From there, some joined others who had migrated directly to the French colony of La Louisiane (Louisiana) in what was known as the Great Upheaval. (see Cajuns).

The parish was formed from the southwestern portion of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. On May 19, 1886, a bill was introduced in the Louisiana state house entitled "An act to create the parish of Nicholls, and to provide for the organization thereof."[4] The title was later changed to read: "An act to create the parish of Acadia." Father Joseph Anthonioz, the first pastor of the Catholic Church at Rayne, is credited with having suggested the name, Acadia Parish. The bill passed the house on June 11, the senate on June 28, and was approved by Governor Samuel D. McEnery on June 30.[5]

On October 6, an election was held to affirm the creation of the parish, with 2,516 votes for and 1,521 votes against the creation. The population of the new parish was from 10,000 to 12,000. Acadia Parish population in 1890 was 13,231.[6]

After a close election held on March 1, 1887, Crowley was chosen as the parish seat, gathering 698 votes to Rayne's and Prairie Hayes' 560 and 519, respectively. The election also determined the first officers in the parish: Elridge W. Lyons, first sheriff of Acadia; and R. T. Clark, first clerk of court. The first courthouse was constructed in Crowley and completed on June 30, 1888. It continued to be used until May 1, 1902, when it was destroyed to make way for the second building.[7]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 657 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 655 sq mi (1,700 km2) are land and 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km2) (0.4%) are covered by water.[8]

Major highways

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Adjacent parishes

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Communities

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Map of Acadia Parish, with municipal labels

Cities

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Towns

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Villages

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Unincorporated areas

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Census-designated places

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Other communities

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
189013,231—
190023,48377.5%
191031,84735.6%
192034,8209.3%
193039,32612.9%
194046,26017.6%
195047,0501.7%
196049,9316.1%
197052,1094.4%
198056,4278.3%
199055,882−1.0%
200058,8615.3%
201061,7734.9%
202057,576−6.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2013[13]
Acadia Parish racial composition as of 2020[14]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 44,115 76.62%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 9,946 17.27%
Native American 145 0.25%
Asian 163 0.28%
Pacific Islander 2 0.0%
Other/Mixed 1,564 2.72%
Hispanic or Latino 1,641 2.85%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 57,576 people, 22,236 households, and 15,519 families residing in the parish. At the 2010 United States census, 61,773 people were residing in the parish, and 58,861 people at the 2000 United States census.[15] In 2019, the American Community Survey estimated 62,045 people lived in the parish.[16]

According to the 2019 American Community Survey, the racial and ethnic makeup of the parish was 77.4% non-Hispanic white, 17.4% Black and African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Asian alone, 0.3% some other race, 2.8% two or more races, and 2.6% Hispanic and Latin American of any race. In 2010, 79.5% were White American, 18.1% Black and African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% some other race, and 1.3% of two or more races; 1.7% were Hispanic or Latin American of any race.

Among the population in 2019, 73.8% were aged 18 and older, and 14.9% aged 65 and older; 7.0% were aged 5 and under.[16] The median age was 36.7, and 27.4% were of French heritage; 9.3% were German, 4.2% English, 4.1% Irish, 0.5% sub-Saharan African, 0.4% Scottish, 0.1% Norwegian, and 0.1% Polish in ancestry. Among the population in 2010, 43.7% were of French, French Canadian or Cajun, 10.8% American, and 8.0% German ancestry. Approximately 10% of the parish spoke a language other than English at home.

There were 22,236 households spread among 26,435 housing units. There was a home-ownership rate of 71.1% with an average of 3.31 people per household; an estimated 32% of the population living in the parish were never married, and 26.2% of households had children under the age of 18 living in them. The median gross rent was $662, and the median household value was $118,000.[16] The median monthly cost with a mortgage was $1,083, and $312 without a mortgage.

An estimated 1,120 businesses operated in the parish, and the median household income was $43,396; the mean income was $61,465.[17] The parish had a 52.6% employment rate, and 24.2% of the total population lived at or below the poverty line in 2019.

Arts and culture

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Many festivals and cultural celebrations are held annually in Acadia Parish, including the International Rice Festival in Crowley, Frog Festival in Rayne, and Buggy Festival in Church Point. Cajun food and music, both specialties of the local population, feature prominently in these festivals.

Several communities in Acadia Parish celebrate the tradition of Courir de Mardi Gras. Disguised with masks and costumes, Cajuns travel through their rural neighborhoods, making merry while begging for gumbo ingredients. The gumbo is the centerpiece of a communal supper and dance.

Education

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Acadia Parish is served by Acadia Parish Schools.

  • Acadia Parish Head Start - Church Point
  • Church Point Elementary (grades PK-5) (Church Point)
  • Church Point Middle (grades 6–8) (Church Point)
  • Church Point High (grades 9–12) (Church Point)
  • Acadia Parish Head Start - Rayne
  • Central Rayne Kindergarten (grades PK-1) (Rayne)
  • Martin Petitjean Elementary (grades 1–3) (Rayne)
  • South Rayne Elementary (grades 4–5) (Rayne)
  • Armstrong Middle (grades 6–8) (Rayne)
  • Rayne High (grades 9–12) (Rayne)
  • Acadia Parish Head Start - Crowley
  • Crowley Kindergarten (grades PK-K) (Crowley)
  • North Crowley Elementary (grades K-5) (Crowley)
  • Ross Elementary (grades K-5) (Crowley)
  • South Crowley Elementary (grades K-5) (Crowley)
  • Crowley Middle (grades 6–8) (Crowley)
  • Iota Elementary (grades PK-5) (Iota)
  • Iota Middle (grades 6–8) (Iota)
  • Iota High (grades 9–12) (Iota)
  • Acadia Parish Head Start - Estherwood
  • Branch Elementary (grades PK-8) (Branch)
  • Egan Elementary (grades PK-8) (Egan)
  • Estherwood Elementary (grades PK-7) (Estherwood)
  • Evangeline Elementary (grades PK-8) (Evangeline)
  • Mermentau Elementary (grades PK-7) (Mermentau)
  • Mire Elementary (grades PK-8) (unincorporated Rayne)
  • Morse Elementary (grades PK-7) (Morse)
  • Richard Elementary (grades PK-8) (unincorporated Church Point)
  • Crowley High (grades 9–12) (unincorporated Crowley)
  • Midland High (grades 8–12) (unincorporated Midland)

Acadia Parish is also served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette with five schools:

  • St. Francis School (grades PK-8) (Iota)
  • Rayne Catholic Elementary School (grades PK-8) (Rayne)
  • St. Michael Elementary School (grades PK-8) (Crowley)
  • Our Mother of Peace Elementary School (grades PK-8) (Church Point)
  • Notre Dame High School (grades 9–12) (Crowley)

Additionally, Acadia Parish is served by one unaffiliated private school:

  • Northside Christian School (grades PK-12) (Crowley)

Acadia Parish is served by two institutions of higher education:

Acadia Parish Library operates branches in the parish.

National Guard

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C Company 3-156TH Infantry Battalion resides in Crowley, Louisiana. As part of the 256th IBCT, this unit deployed to Iraq twice, 2004-5 and 2010.

Politics

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Historically, along with the rest of Louisiana, Acadia Parish strongly supported the Democratic Party, with support waning throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Following Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election bid, Acadia Parish has voted exclusively for Republican candidates at the presidential level.

United States presidential election results for Acadia Parish, Louisiana[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 21,783 81.52% 4,695 17.57% 242 0.91%
2020 22,596 79.49% 5,443 19.15% 386 1.36%
2016 21,162 77.26% 5,638 20.58% 589 2.15%
2012 19,931 74.27% 6,560 24.45% 344 1.28%
2008 19,229 71.99% 7,028 26.31% 454 1.70%
2004 16,083 63.75% 8,937 35.42% 210 0.83%
2000 13,814 59.45% 8,892 38.26% 532 2.29%
1996 9,246 38.64% 12,300 51.41% 2,381 9.95%
1992 9,017 36.70% 12,276 49.97% 3,275 13.33%
1988 11,319 48.98% 11,510 49.81% 281 1.22%
1984 14,906 60.59% 9,262 37.65% 434 1.76%
1980 11,533 52.19% 9,948 45.01% 619 2.80%
1976 6,296 35.68% 10,814 61.28% 538 3.05%
1972 9,698 63.83% 4,406 29.00% 1,090 7.17%
1968 3,178 18.70% 4,098 24.12% 9,715 57.18%
1964 6,706 41.47% 9,463 58.53% 0 0.00%
1960 2,616 17.34% 11,440 75.84% 1,028 6.82%
1956 4,204 39.97% 6,122 58.21% 191 1.82%
1952 4,167 41.55% 5,863 58.45% 0 0.00%
1948 784 11.74% 2,382 35.67% 3,512 52.59%
1944 1,023 18.73% 4,439 81.27% 0 0.00%
1940 719 12.44% 5,058 87.52% 2 0.03%
1936 441 8.92% 4,504 91.08% 0 0.00%
1932 351 8.92% 3,583 91.08% 0 0.00%
1928 1,071 22.77% 3,633 77.23% 0 0.00%
1924 691 30.20% 1,481 64.73% 116 5.07%
1920 1,141 51.75% 1,058 47.98% 6 0.27%
1916 202 14.54% 1,165 83.87% 22 1.58%
1912 51 3.34% 1,147 75.07% 330 21.60%

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "QuickFacts: Acadia Parish, Louisiana". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Acadia Parish History". Acadia Parish Library. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  4. ^ "Official Journal of the Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the State of Louisiana". 1886.
  5. ^ Fontenot, Mary.Acadia Parish, Louisiana. The Center for Louisiana Studies, 1976, p. 244.
  6. ^ Fontenot, Mary.Acadia Parish, Louisiana. The Center for Louisiana Studies, 1976, p. 254.
  7. ^ Fontenot, Mary.Acadia Parish, Louisiana. The Center for Louisiana Studies, 1976, p. 298.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  14. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ a b c "Geography Profile: Acadia Parish, Louisiana". data.census.gov. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  17. ^ "2019 Income Statistics". data.census.gov. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
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Geology

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