WASHINGTON PARISH, LOUISIANA

'Washington Parish' is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Its parish seat is Franklinton. In 2000, its population was 43,926.
The Washington Parish Government is a Home Rule Charter or “President-Council” form of Government. Its
current President is M. E. "Toye" Taylor.

Contents

History

Economy

Geography

Major Highways

Adjacent counties and parishes

Demographics

Cities and towns

Education

References

External links

History

Washington Parish was formed in 1819 by splitting off from St. Tammany Parish. Franklinton became the parish seat on February 10, 1821.
There are two articles about the history of Washington Parish:

★ [ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/la/washingt/history/history1.txt "Washington Parish, Louisiana" by Janice M. Berfield, 1968]

★ [ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/la/washingt/history/wphistory.txt "History of Washington Parish" by Hon. Prentiss B. Carter]
There is also a book which is online, "Bogalusa Story" by C. W. Goodyear.

Economy

Washington Parish is currently known for its agriculture (especially watermelons), as well as its timber and paper industry.
In 1906, The Great Southern Lumber Company started a sawmill in Bogalusa. It was the first to introduce reforestation in order to sustain the timber industry locally. It later started a paper mill and other related businesses in the area.
The Great Southern Lumber Company was bought several times and is now called Temple-Inland Corporation which is the largest employer in the parish.

Geography

The parish has a total area of 1,751 km² (676 mi²). 1,734 km² (670 mi²) of it is land and 17 km² (6 mi²) of it (0.95%) is water.

Major Highways

★ Louisiana Highway 10

★ Louisiana Highway 16

★ Louisiana Highway 21

★ Louisiana Highway 25

Adjacent counties and parishes

★ Pike County, Mississippi (northwest)

★ Walthall County, Mississippi (north)

★ Marion County, Mississippi (northeast)

★ Pearl River County, Mississippi (east)

★ St. Tammany Parish (south)

★ Tangipahoa Parish (west)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 43,926 people, 16,467 households, and 11,642 families residing in the parish. The population density was 25/km² (66/mi²). There were 19,106 housing units at an average density of 11/km² (28/mi²). The racial makeup of the parish was 67.42% White, 31.53% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 16,467 households out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.30% were married couples living together, 17.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the parish the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $24,264, and the median income for a family was $29,480. Males had a median income of $27,964 versus $17,709 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $12,915. About 19.40% of families and 24.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.20% of those under age 18 and 20.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

★ Angie ★ Bogalusa

★ Franklinton ★ Varnado

Education

Students outside of the city of Bogalusa attend Washington Parish School System.
Students within the city of Bogalusa attend Bogalusa City Schools.
Louisiana Technical College - Sullivan Campus is located in Bogalusa.

References

★ [ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/la/washingt/history/history1.txt "Washington Parish, Louisiana" by Janice M. Berfield, 1968]

★ [ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/la/washingt/history/wphistory.txt "History of Washington Parish" by Hon. Prentiss B. Carter]

★ "Bogalusa Story" by C. W. Goodyear

★ Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisiana: History, Links, Maps, and Photos

★ Bogalusa Daily News

External links

★ Washington Parish Humane Society

★ Washington Parish Free Fair

★ Washington Parish School System

★ Washington Parish Sheriff's Office

★ Washington Parish Tourism Bureau

★ Washington Economic Development Foundation

★ D. A. Varnado Store Museum

★ Bogalusa Daily News

★ "Bogalusa Story" by C. W. Goodyear

★ Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisiana: History, Links, Maps, and Photos

★ Some Photos of Hurricane Katrina Damage