Evangeline Parish, Louisiana

Geography The parish has a total area of 1,760 km² (680 mi²). 1,720 km² (664 mi²) of it is land and 40 km² (15 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.26% water.

Demographics As of 2000, there are 35,434 people, 12,736 households, and 9,157 families residing in the parish. The population density is 21/km² (53/mi²). There are 14,258 housing units at an average density of 8 persons/km² (22 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the parish is 70.42% White, 28.57% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 12,736 households out of which 38.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% are married couples living together, 15.50% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 28.10% are non-families. 25.80% 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 2.64 and the average family size is 3.19.

In the parish the population is spread out with 29.60% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 20.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.10 males.

The median income for a household in the parish is $20,532, and the median income for a family is $27,243. Males have a median income of $30,386 versus $16,793 for females. The per capita income for the parish is $11,432. 32.20% of the population and 27.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 39.10% are under the age of 18 and 31.00% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Chataignier
• Mamou
• Pine Prairie
• Turkey Creek
• Ville Platte