Rapides Parish, Louisiana

Geography The parish has a total area of 3,527 km² (1,362 mi²). 3,425 km² (1,323 mi²) of it is land and 102 km² (39 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.89% water.

Demographics As of 2000, there are 126,337 people, 47,120 households, and 33,125 families residing in the parish. The population density is 37/km² (96/mi²). There are 52,038 housing units at an average density of 15 persons/km² (39 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the parish is 66.51% White, 30.43% African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. 1.38% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 47,120 households out of which 34.60% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.70% are married couples living together, 16.80% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 29.70% are non-families. 26.00% 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 2.56 and the average family size is 3.09.

In the parish the population is spread out with 27.20% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.00 males.

The median income for a household in the parish is $29,856, and the median income for a family is $36,671. Males have a median income of $29,775 versus $20,483 for females. The per capita income for the parish is $16,088. 20.50% of the population and 16.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 26.30% are under the age of 18 and 16.30% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Alexandria
• Ball
• Boyce
• Cheneyville
• Deville
• Forest Hill
• Glenmora
• Lecompte
• McNary
• Pineville
• Woodworth