Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana

Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana
Map of Louisiana highlighting Jefferson Davis Parish
Location in the U.S. state of Louisiana
Map of the United States highlighting Louisiana
Louisiana's location in the U.S.
Founded January 1, 1913
Named for Jefferson Davis
Seat Jennings
Largest city Jennings
Area
 • Total 659 sq mi (1,707 km2)
 • Land 651 sq mi (1,686 km2)
 • Water 7.2 sq mi (19 km2), 1.1%
Population
 • (2010) 31,594
 • Density 49/sq mi (19/km²)
Congressional district 3rd
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5

Jefferson Davis Parish (French: Paroisse de Jefferson Davis) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 31,594.[1] The parish seat is Jennings.[2] Jefferson Davis Parish is named after the president of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, Jefferson Davis. It is located in southwestern Louisiana and forms a part of the Acadiana region.

In 2005, the parish was damaged significantly by Hurricane Rita, which caused much wind damage and flooding in the western part of the parish. The storm also caused Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge to be affected by saltwater intrusion.

The first oil in Louisiana was drilled in 1901 in what became Jeff Davis Parish by W. Scott Heywood, who in 1932 was elected to the Louisiana State Senate.[3]

History

Jefferson Davis Parish was one of the last incorporated parishes in the state of Louisiana. Originally a part of Imperial Calcasieu Parish, the bill creating Jefferson Davis Parish was passed in 1912 but did not take effect until 1913.[4] Jefferson Davis Parish is also a part of the Acadiana region of Louisiana. It is named after the President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 659 square miles (1,710 km2), of which 651 square miles (1,690 km2) is land and 7.2 square miles (19 km2) (1.1%) is water.[5]

Jefferson Davis Parish comprises five incorporated towns including Elton, Fenton, Jennings, Lake Arthur, and Welsh. There are also many unincorporated areas that add to the interest and economic structure of the parish including Barnsdall, Buller, China, Coverdale, Edna, Fontenot, Foreman's Hall, Hathaway, Illinois Plant, Lacassine, Lauderdale, Panchoville, Pine Island, Raymond, Roanoke, Silverwood, Thornwell, Topsy, Verret, and Woodlawn. Interstate 10 runs east and west through the center of the parish, providing quick, easy access to local markets. Additionally, the Union Pacific Railroad is centrally located within the parish and the Mermentau River, which connects to the Intracoastal Waterway and has a channel depth of nine feet, provides access to the Port of Mermentau. The Jennings Airport, with a runway length of 5,000 feet (1,500 m), is capable of landing a small jet and is conveniently located next to Interstate 10. Thanks to these and many other attributes within its community, the overall economic outlook for the parish is promising. Jefferson Davis Parish also attracts sportsmen to the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge.

Adjacent parishes

Transportation

Major highways

Airports

Jennings, USA
IATA: none – ICAO: K3R7
Summary
Airport type Public
Location Jennings, LA
Elevation AMSL 23 ft / 7 m
Coordinates 30°14′33″N 92°40′24″W / 30.24250°N 92.67333°W / 30.24250; -92.67333
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
08/26 5,000 1,524 Asphalt
13/31 3,598 1,097 Asphalt
17/35 2,000 610 Turf

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
192018,999—
193019,7654.0%
194024,19122.4%
195026,2988.7%
196029,82513.4%
197029,554−0.9%
198032,1688.8%
199030,722−4.5%
200031,4352.3%
201031,5940.5%
Est. 201531,439[6]−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 31,435 people, 11,480 households, and 8,529 families residing in the parish. The population density was 48 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 12,824 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 80.60% White, 17.79% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.15% of the population reported speaking French or Cajun French at home.

There were 11,480 households out of which 37.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 13.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the parish the population was spread out with 29.30% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 21.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.50 males.

The median income for a household in the parish was $27,736, and the median income for a family was $33,129. Males had a median income of $28,279 versus $18,668 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $13,398. About 18.10% of families and 20.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.40% of those under age 18 and 19.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Jefferson Davis Parish Public Schools operates public schools in the parish.

Public Schools

Private Schools

Post-Secondary

National Guard

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

Communities

Map of Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana With Municipal Labels

City

Towns

Village

Unincorporated communities

Notable residents

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "Heywood, Walter Scott". Louisiana Historical Association, A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  4. ↑ Gremillion, John Berton Gremillion. "Jefferson Davis Parish". http://library.mcneese.edu. McNeese State University. Retrieved September 4, 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  6. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  11. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. ↑ "Contact Information." Bethel Christian School. Retrieved on November 26, 2012. "15147 Hwy 102 Jennings, LA 70546"

Geology

Hydrology

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