Bossier Parish, Louisiana

Geography The parish has a total area of 2,245 km² (867 mi²). 2,174 km² (839 mi²) of it is land and 72 km² (28 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.19% water.

Demographics As of 2000, there are 98,310 people, 36,628 households, and 26,628 families residing in the parish. The population density is 45/km² (117/mi²). There are 40,286 housing units at an average density of 19 persons/km² (48 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the parish is 74.66% White, 20.82% African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.00% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. 3.12% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 36,628 households out of which 36.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% are married couples living together, 14.10% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 27.30% are non-families. 22.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.80% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.63 and the average family size is 3.09.

In the parish the population is spread out with 28.00% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the parish is $39,203, and the median income for a family is $45,542. Males have a median income of $32,305 versus $23,287 for females. The per capita income for the parish is $18,119. 13.70% of the population and 10.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 19.00% are under the age of 18 and 12.50% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Benton
• Bossier City
• Eastwood
• Haughton
• Plain Dealing
• Red Chute