Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana

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.

Demographics As 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 persons/km² (20 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the parish is 68.47% White, 29.49% 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 woman whose husband does not live with her, 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 people living in poverty, 32.50% are under the age of 18 and 25.00% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Bunkie
• Cottonport
• Evergreen
• Hessmer
• Mansura
• Marksville
• Moreauville
• Plaucheville
• Simmesport