Tensas Parish, Louisiana

Geography The parish has a total area of 1,661 km² (641 mi²). 1,560 km² (602 mi²) of it is land and 100 km² (39 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 6.04% water.

Demographics As of 2000, there are 6,618 people, 2,416 households, and 1,635 families residing in the parish. The population density is 4/km² (11/mi²). There are 3,359 housing units at an average density of 2 persons/km² (6 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the parish is 43.43% White, 55.38% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.25% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,416 households out of which 30.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.10% are married couples living together, 20.20% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 32.30% are non-families. 29.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.54 and the average family size is 3.14.

In the parish the population is spread out with 26.50% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.20 males.

The median income for a household in the parish is $19,799, and the median income for a family is $25,739. Males have a median income of $26,636 versus $16,781 for females. The per capita income for the parish is $12,622. 36.30% of the population and 30.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 48.20% are under the age of 18 and 29.60% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Newellton
• St. Joseph
• Waterproof