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. The parish seat is Jennings. 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.
Video Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana
History
Jefferson Davis Parish was one of the last parishes to be organized in the state of Louisiana. It was originally a part of Imperial Calcasieu Parish, which contributed to five other parishes as the population increased in the area. The bill creating Jefferson Davis Parish was passed by the state legislature in 1912 but did not take effect until 1913. Jefferson Davis Parish is part of the large, 22-county Acadiana region of Louisiana, which is influenced by a large Francophone population. It was named after Jefferson Davis, a prominent planter and the President of the Confederate States of America.
Maps Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana
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.
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
- Allen Parish (north)
- Evangeline Parish (northeast)
- Acadia Parish (east)
- Vermilion Parish (southeast)
- Cameron Parish (south)
- Calcasieu Parish (west)
- Beauregard Parish (northwest)
Transportation
Major highways
Airports
- Jennings, (3R7)
- Welsh
Demographics
As of the census 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.[1]
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 the schools in the parish.
Public Schools
- Elton High School
- Hathaway High School (K-12)
- Jennings High School
- Lacassine High School (K-12)
- Lake Arthur High School
- Welsh High School
Private Schools
- Bethel Christian School is a PreK-12 Christian school located in unincorporated Jefferson Davis Parish, near Jennings.
- Our Lady Immaculate is a PreK-8 Catholic School located on Roberts Avenue in Jennings. It was founded in 1958.
Post-Secondary
- The Morgan Smith campus of the Southwest Louisiana Technical Community College (SOWELA) is located in downtown Jennings.
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
City
- Jennings
Towns
- Elton
- Lake Arthur
- Welsh
Village
- Fenton
Census-designated places
- Lacassine
- Roanoke
Unincorporated communities
Notable people
- A.C. Clemons
- Al Woods
- Thomas A. "Tom" Greene
- John E. Guinn
- Charles Franklin Hildebrand
- Dan Morrish
- Claude Kirkpatrick
- Edith Killgore Kirkpatrick
- Guy Sockrider
- Gerald Theunissen
Politics
See also
- Jeff Davis 8 string of unsolved murders
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana
References
External links
- Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office
- Jefferson Davis Parish Economic Development & Tourist Commission
Geology
- Heinrich, P. V., J. Snead, and R. P. McCulloh, 2002, Lake Charles 30 x 60 minute geologic quadrangle. Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
- Heinrich, P. V., J. Snead, and R. P. McCulloh, 2003, Crowley 30 x 60 minute geologic quadrangle. Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Hydrology
- Water Resources of Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana United States Geological Survey.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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