Acadia Parish, Louisiana

Geography The parish has a total area of 1,703 km² (658 mi²). 1,697 km² (655 mi²) of it is land and 6 km² (2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.35% water.

Demographics As of the census² of 2000, there are 58,861 people, 21,142 households, and 15,666 families residing in the parish. The population density is 35/km² (90/mi²). There are 23,209 housing units at an average density of 14/km² (35/mi²). The racial makeup of the parish is 80.73% White, 18.25% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 21,142 households out of which 38.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% are married couples living together, 14.90% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% are non-families. 22.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.30% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.74 and the average family size is 3.22.

In the parish the population is spread out with 29.80% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.80 males.

The median income for a household in the parish is $26,684, and the median income for a family is $31,812. Males have a median income of $29,353 versus $17,179 for females. The per capita income for the parish is $13,424. 24.50% of the population and 21.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 30.30% are under the age of 18 and 25.20% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Basile
• Church Point
• Crowley
• Duson
• Estherwood
• Eunice
• Iota
• Mermentau
• Morse
• Rayne