AVOYELLES PARISH, LOUISIANA

'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.

Contents

Geography

Major Highways

Adjacent parishes

Demographics

Cities and towns

Culture

Famous people from Avoyelles

Geography

The parish has a total area of 2,242 km² (866 mi²). 2,156 km² (832 mi²) of it is land and 86 km² (33 mi²) of it (3.84%) is water.

Major Highways

★ Interstate 49

★ U.S. Highway 71

★ Louisiana Highway 1

★ Louisiana Highway 29

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)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 41,481 people, 14,736 households, and 10,580 families residing in the parish. The population density was 19/km² (50/mi²). There were 16,576 housing units at an average density of 8/km² (20/mi²). 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.
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

★ Bunkie ★ Cottonport ★ Evergreen

★ Hessmer ★ Mansura

★ Marksville ★ Moreauville

★ Plaucheville ★ Simmesport

Culture

Avoyelles Parish is known for its Cajun, French-speaking history, with rich traditions in music and food. The area was first settled by Native Americans around 300 B.C. 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.

Famous people from Avoyelles

★ Mark Duper, Miami Dolphins wide receiver.

★ Edwin Washington Edwards, four term governor of Louisiana.

★ Elaine S. Edwards, first wife of Edwin Edwards and appointed U.S. senator from August-November 1972

★ Alcide "Blind Uncle" Gaspard, early recording artist of traditional Cajun music.

★ Adras LaBorde, longtime managing editor of the ''Alexandria Daily Town Talk''

★ Norma McCorvey, "Jane Roe" in the landmark Roe v. Wade lawsuit.

★ 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.