Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Avoyelles Parish is a parish located in the state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Marksville and as of 2000, the population is 41,481. The parish is named for the Avoyel Indian tribe.
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Geography
The parish has a total area of 2,242 km2 (866 mi2). 2,156 km2 (832 mi2) of it is land and 86 km2 (33 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 3.84% water.
Adjacent parishes
- La Salle Parish & Catahoula Parish (north)
- Concordia Parish (northeast)
- West Feliciana Parish (east)
- Pointe Coupee Parish (southeast)
- St. Landry Parish (south)
- Evangeline Parish (southwest)
- Rapides Parish (west)
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 41,481 people, 14,736 households, and 10,580 families residing in the parish. The population density is 19/km2 (50/mi2). There are 16,576 housing units at an average density of 8/km2 (20/mi2). The racial makeup of the parish is 68.47% White, 29.49% Black or African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 14,736 households out of which 36.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.70% are married couples living together, 15.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% are non-families. 25.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.60 and the average family size is 3.11.
In the parish the population is spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.90 males.
The median income for a household in the parish is $23,851, and the median income for a family is $29,389. Males have a median income of $27,122 versus $18,250 for females. The per capita income for the parish is $12,146. 25.90% of the population and 21.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 32.50% of those under the age of 18 and 25.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
Culture
Avoyelles Parish is famous for its Creole (French-speaking) history, with rich traditions in music and food. The area was first settled by Native Americans around 300 B.C. Today on the banks of the old Mississippi river channel in Marksville, three large burial mounds, a museum and a national park commemorate their civilization. Tunicas from the Natchez tribes east of the river conquered and assimilated with the Avoyels nearly two centuries ago and are currently the largest Native American group in Avoyelles.
Spanish and African traders were probably the first foreigners to arrive in the area by 1650. In late the 18th century European families from Normandy, France, Scotland, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Spain arrived and established the towns and villages that exist today. Their direct ties to Europe set them apart from the Acadians (Cajuns) of most of Southern Louisiana. Later Africans serving under Napoleon and those loyal to France in Haiti and the French Caribbean settled in Avoyelles. Arriving as refugees at the Pearl River port near Mansura, they were taken in by the Native American and European families of the area. The blending of these three cultures created a distinct Creole culture noted in their language, food and family ties.
Famous Folk from Avoyelles
- Mark Duper, Miami Dolphins wide receiver.
- Edwin Edwards, four term governor of Louisiana.
- Alcide "Blind Uncle" Gaspard, early recording artist of traditional Cajun music.
- Norma McCorvey, "Jane Roe" in the landmark Roe v. Wade lawsuit.
