Acadia Parish, Louisiana


Acadia Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 61,773. The parish seat is Crowley. The parish was founded from parts of St. Landry Parish in 1886, and later an election was held to determine the parish seat, ending when Crowley beat Rayne and Prairie Hayes.
Acadia Parish is included in the Lafayette, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The name of the parish is derived from the former French colony of Acadia in Canada many of whose French-speaking inhabitants were deported to France and then migrated to Louisiana in the Great Upheaval.
The parish itself was formed from the southwestern portion of St. Landry Parish. On Wednesday May 19, 1886, a bill was introduced in the house entitled "An act to create the parish of Nicholls, and to provide for the organization thereof." The title was later changed to read: "An act to create the parish of Acadia." Father Joseph Anthonioz, the first pastor of the Catholic Church at Rayne, is credited with having suggested the name, Acadia Parish. The bill passed the house on June 11, the senate on June 28, and was approved by Governor Samuel D. McEnery on June 30. On October 6, an election was held to affirm the creation of the parish, with 2,516 votes for and 1,521 votes against the creation. The population of the new parish was anywhere from 10,000 to 12,000. Acadia Parish population in 1890 was 13,231.
After a close election held on March 1, 1887, Crowley was chosen as the parish seat, gathering 698 votes to Rayne's and Prairie Hayes' 560 and 519, respectively. The election also determined the first officers in the parish: Elridge W. Lyons, first sheriff of Acadia, and R. T. Clark, first clerk of court. The first courthouse was therefore constructed in Crowley and completed on June 30, 1888, and continued to be used until May 1, 1902, when it was destroyed to make way for the second building.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Major highways

Louisiana Highway 91
Louisiana Highway 92
Louisiana Highway 97

Adjacent parishes

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 61,773 people residing in the parish. 79.5% were White, 18.1% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% of some other race and 1.3% of two or more races. 1.7% were Hispanic or Latino. 43.7% were of French, French Canadian or Cajun, 10.8% American and 8.0% German ancestry.
As of the census of 2000, there were 58,861 people, 21,142 households, and 15,666 families residing in the parish. The population density was 90 people per square mile. There were 23,209 housing units at an average density of 35 per square mile. The racial makeup of the parish was 80.73% White, 18.25% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.04% reported speaking French or Cajun French at home.
There were 21,142 households out of which 38.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 14.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the parish the population was spread out with 29.80% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.80 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $26,684, and the median income for a family was $31,812. Males had a median income of $29,353 versus $17,179 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $13,424. 24.50% of the population and 21.00% of families were below the poverty line. 30.30% of those under the age of 18 and 25.20% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

Many festivals and cultural celebrations are held annually in Acadia Parish, including the International Rice Festival in Crowley, in Rayne, and Buggy Festival in Church Point. Cajun food and music, both specialties of the local population, feature prominently in these festivals.
Several communities in Acadia Parish celebrate the tradition of Courir de Mardi Gras. Disguised with masks and costumes, Cajuns travel through their rural neighborhoods, making merry while begging for gumbo ingredients. The gumbo is the centerpiece of a communal supper and dance.

Education

Acadia Parish is served by Acadia Parish Schools .
Acadia Parish is also served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette with five schools:
Additionally, Acadia Parish is served by one unaffiliated private school:
Acadia Parish is served by two institutions of higher education:
Acadia Parish Library operates branches in the parish .

National Guard

C Company 3-156TH Infantry Battalion resides in Crowley, Louisiana. As part of the 256th IBCT this unit deployed to Iraq twice, 2004-5 and 2010.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

More information on these communities can be found at https://web.archive.org/web/20070525094238/http://www.acadia.lib.la.us/newpage1.htm

Notable people