| Assumption Parish, Louisiana | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Louisiana |
|
 Louisiana's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1807 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Napoleonville |
| Largest city | Pierre Part |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
365 sq mi (944 km²) 339 sq mi (877 km²) 26 sq mi (67 km²), 7.10% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
23,388 69/sq mi (27/km²) |
| Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 |
| Named for: Assumption Roman Catholic Church | |
Assumption Parish ((French: Paroisse de l'Assomption) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and was formed in 1807 as an original parish of the Louisiana Territory. Its parish seat is Napoleonville. In 2000, its population was 23,388. Assumption is one of the 22 Acadiana parishes. Its major product is sugarcane. In proportion to its area, Assumption Parish produces the most sugar of any parish of Louisiana.
Assumption Parish is part of the Pierre Part Micropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Baton Rouge–Pierre Part Combined Statistical Area.
Contents |
History
Assumption became the eighth parish of the Louisiana Territory in 1807. Its history is rooted in its waterways and its large expanse of fertile soils ideal for farming. Settled in mid 18th century by French and Spanish settlers, the area retains strong cultural ties to its past with conversational French still common among residents. Assumption was also a final destination for many of the French Acadians exiled from Nova Scotia from 1755 to 1764.
Geography
The parish has a total area of 365 square miles (944 km²), of which, 339 square miles (877 km²) of it is land and 26 square miles (67 km²) of it (7.10%) is water.
Major Highways
Adjacent parishes
- Iberville Parish & Ascension Parish (north)
- St. James Parish (northeast)
- Lafourche Parish (east)
- Terrebonne Parish (southeast)
- St. Mary Parish (southwest)
- Iberia Parish (northwest)
- St. Martin Parish (west)
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Iberia Parish | Iberville Parish and Ascension Parish | St. James Parish | |
| St. Martin Parish |  |
Lafourche Parish | ||
 Assumption Parish, Louisiana  |
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| St. Mary Parish | Terrebonne Parish |
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 23,388 people, 8,239 households, and 6,311 families residing in the parish. The population density was 69 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 9,635 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 67.17% White, 31.52% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 81.14% of the population over the age of five spoke only English at home, while 17.58% reported speaking French or Cajun French [1].
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1810 | 2,472 |
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| 1820 | 3,576 | 44.7% | |
| 1830 | 5,669 | 58.5% | |
| 1840 | 7,141 | 26.0% | |
| 1850 | 10,538 | 47.6% | |
| 1860 | 15,379 | 45.9% | |
| 1870 | 13,234 | −13.9% | |
| 1880 | 17,010 | 28.5% | |
| 1890 | 19,629 | 15.4% | |
| 1900 | 21,620 | 10.1% | |
| 1910 | 24,128 | 11.6% | |
| 1920 | 17,912 | −25.8% | |
| 1930 | 15,990 | −10.7% | |
| 1940 | 18,541 | 16.0% | |
| 1950 | 17,278 | −6.8% | |
| 1960 | 17,991 | 4.1% | |
| 1970 | 19,654 | 9.2% | |
| 1980 | 22,084 | 12.4% | |
| 1990 | 22,753 | 3.0% | |
| 2000 | 23,388 | 2.8% | |
| Est. 2006 | 23,472 | [2] | 0.4% |
| Assumption Parish Census Data[3] | |||
There were 8,239 households out of which 37.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 14.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.40% were non-families. 20.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the parish the population was spread out with 28.50% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $31,168, and the median income for a family was $36,052. Males had a median income of $35,941 versus $18,065 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $14,008. About 19.50% of families and 21.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.40% of those under age 18 and 21.70% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities and towns
Napoleonville is the sole incorporated community in the parish.
Census-designated places
Education
Assumption Parish School Board operates local public schools. Assumption High School serves the whole parish.
National Guard
The 926th Sapper Company, a unit of the 769th Engineer Battalion and the 225th Engineer Brigade.
See also
References
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Assumption Parish Quickfacts". http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22/22007.html. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Louisiana Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/la190090.txt. Retrieved 2008-02-02.; Report on the Population of the United States at the Eleventh Census, 1890. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1895.
External links
- Assumption Parish Website
- Assumption Parish Area Chamber of Commerce
- Explore the History and Culture of Southeastern Louisiana, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
Geology
- Heinrich, P. V., and W. J. Autin, 2000, Baton Rouge 30 x 60 minute geologic quadrangle. Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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