| Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Louisiana |
|
 Louisiana's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | March 31, 1807 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Marksville |
| Largest city | Marksville |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
866 sq mi (2,242 km²) 832 sq mi (2,156 km²) 33 sq mi (86 km²), 3.84% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
41,481 50/sq mi (19/km²) |
| Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 |
| Named for: Avoyel Native Americans | |
Avoyelles (French: Paroisse des Avoyelles) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Marksville. In 2000, its population was 41,481. The parish is named for the Avoyel Indian tribe.
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History
Avoyelles Parish is known for its Cajun, French-speaking history, with traditions in music and food. The area was first settled by Native Americans around 300 BC. Today on the banks of the old Mississippi River channel in Marksville, three large burial mounds, a museum and a national park commemorate their civilization. Tunicas from the Natchez tribes east of the river conquered and assimilated with the Avoyels nearly two centuries ago and are currently the largest Native American group in Avoyelles.
Spanish and African traders were probably the first foreigners to arrive in the area by 1650. In late the 18th century European families from Normandy and other parts of France, Scotland, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Spain arrived and established the towns and villages that exist today. Their direct ties to Europe set them apart from the Acadians (Cajuns) of most of southern Louisiana. Later, blacks serving under Napoleon and those loyal to France in Haiti and the French West Indies settled in Avoyelles. Arriving as refugees at the Pearl River port near Mansura, they were taken in by the Native American and European families of the area. The blending of these three cultures created a distinct Creole culture noted in the local language, food and family ties. Today's Avoyelles Parish culture conveniently falls under the larger unbrella of "Cajun" because of the similarities in speech, food, and various folk traditions. But, it should be made clear that very little, if any, of the culture descends from the Acadian tradition. Middle and south Louisiana had been settled by both black and white francophones long before "The Grand Derangement", when the Acadians were expelled by the English from Acadia (present day Nova Scotia). The people of Avoyelles would more correctly be called "French Creoles" because they descend from those born in the French colony. "Cajuns" or "Cadjins" would also be a correct term for those of the French culture of Avoyelles. "Coonass", a popular colloquialism, is generally derogatory (though some are proud to be called such).
Geography
The parish has a total area of 866 square miles (2,242 km²), of which, 832 square miles (2,156 km²) of it is land and 33 square miles (86 km²) of it (3.84%) is water.
Major Highways
Adjacent parishes
- La Salle Parish & Catahoula Parish (north)
- Concordia Parish (northeast)
- West Feliciana Parish (east)
- Pointe Coupee Parish (southeast)
- St. Landry Parish (south)
- Evangeline Parish (southwest)
- Rapides Parish (west)
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La Salle Parish and Catahoula Parish | Concordia Parish |
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| Rapides Parish |  |
West Feliciana Parish | |||||
 Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana  |
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| Evangeline Parish | St. Landry Parish | Pointe Coupee Parish |
National protected areas
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 41,481 people, 14,736 households, and 10,580 families residing in the parish. The population density was 50 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 16,576 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 68.47% White, 29.49% Black or African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.64% reported speaking French or Cajun French at home, while 2.12% speak Spanish.
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 29,701 |
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| 1910 | 34,102 | 14.8% | |
| 1920 | 35,300 | 3.5% | |
| 1930 | 34,926 | −1.1% | |
| 1940 | 39,256 | 12.4% | |
| 1950 | 38,031 | −3.1% | |
| 1960 | 37,606 | −1.1% | |
| 1970 | 37,751 | 0.4% | |
| 1980 | 41,393 | 9.6% | |
| 1990 | 39,159 | −5.4% | |
| 2000 | 41,481 | 5.9% | |
| Est. 2006 | 42,663 | [2] | 2.8% |
| Avoyelles Parish Census Data[3] | |||
There were 14,736 households out of which 36.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.70% were married couples living together, 15.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the parish the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $23,851, and the median income for a family was $29,389. Males had a median income of $27,122 versus $18,250 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $12,146. About 21.70% of families and 25.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.50% of those under age 18 and 25.00% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
Notable natives and residents
- Adras LaBorde, longtime managing editor of the Alexandria Daily Town Talk
- Alcide "Blind Uncle" Gaspard, early recording artist of traditional Cajun music.
- Edwin Washington Edwards, four term governor of Louisiana.
- Elaine Schwartzenburg Edwards, first wife of Edwin Edwards and appointed U.S. Senator from August-November 1972
- Felix Eugene Moncla, Jr., United States Air Force pilot who mysteriously disappeared over Lake Superior in 1953
- Jeannette Theriot Knoll - Louisiana Supreme Court Justice elected in 1996. Wife of Eddie Knoll.
- Jerold Edward "Eddie" Knoll, served as Avoyelles Parish District Attorney for 30 years. Also one of the most prominent attorneys in the State of Louisiana. Husband of Jeannette Knoll.
- Mark Duper, Miami Dolphins wide receiver.
- Corey Be, Popular radio DJ. Native of Moreauville and 1996 graduate of Avoyelles High School.
- Norma McCorvey, "Jane Roe" in the landmark Roe v. Wade lawsuit.
- Craig Mayeux, award winning author, was born in Cottonport, Avoyelles Parish in 1955.
- His novel, Brothers Forever: An Orphan Story, was the 2008 Grand Prize Winner of the Creative Arts Council Book of the Year Award. Brothers Forever is based on the life of Mayeux's grandfather, George Leary, an Orphan Train rider who came to Cottonport in 1904.
Gaston Porterie, Louisiana Attorney General, 1920s, native of Mansura[4] Adolph Valery Coco, Louisiana Attorney General, 1916, native of Marksville[5] Arnaud Lafargue, State Superintendent of Education, Louisiana, 1890s, native of Marksville[5] James A. Gremillion, Secretary of State, Louisiana 1930s. Native of Marksville, [5] Dr. Sue Lyles Eakin, prolific author and professor. Best known for work in preserving "12 Years a slave", Long time resident of Bunkie, LA[5]
See also
References
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Avoyelles Parish Quickfacts". http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22/22009.html. Retrieved on 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 on 2008-02-02.
- ^ Avoyelles Bicentennial of Government - Randy DeCuir
- ^ a b c d Randy DeCuir
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