Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana

Jefferson Davis Parish (French: Paroisse de Jefferson Davis) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 31,594.[1] The parish seat is Jennings.[2] Jefferson Davis Parish is named after the president of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, Jefferson Davis. It is located in southwestern Louisiana and forms a part of the Acadiana region.

Not to be confused with Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
Jefferson Davis Parish
Parish
Parish of Jefferson Davis
United Methodist Church in Elton.
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°14′33″N 92°40′24″W
Country United States
State Louisiana
FoundedJanuary 1, 1913
Named forJefferson Davis
SeatJennings
Largest cityJennings
Area
 • Total659 sq mi (1,710 km2)
 • Land651 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Water7.2 sq mi (19 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total31,594
 • Estimate 
(2018)
31,582
 • Density48/sq mi (19/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd

In 2005, the parish was damaged significantly by Hurricane Rita, which caused much wind damage and flooding in the western part of the parish. The storm also caused Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge to be affected by saltwater intrusion.

History

Jefferson Davis Parish was one of the last parishes to be organized in the state of Louisiana. It was originally a part of Imperial Calcasieu Parish, which contributed to five other parishes as the population increased in the area. The bill creating Jefferson Davis Parish was passed by the state legislature in 1912 but did not take effect until 1913.[3] Jefferson Davis Parish is part of the large, 22-county Acadiana region of Louisiana, which is influenced by a large Francophone population. It was named after Jefferson Davis, a prominent planter and the President of the Confederate States of America.

The Jennings Oil Field in 1933

The first oil in Louisiana was drilled in 1901 in Evangeline, Acadia Parish, by W. Scott Heywood, who in 1932 was elected to the Louisiana State Senate.[4] The oil field was known as the Jennings Oil Field because Jennings was the nearest railroad stop to the oil field.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 660 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 651 square miles (1,690 km2) is land and 7.2 square miles (19 km2) (1.1%) is water.[5]

Jefferson Davis Parish comprises five incorporated towns including Elton, Fenton, Jennings, Lake Arthur, and Welsh. There are also many unincorporated areas that add to the interest and economic structure of the parish including Barnsdall, Buller, China, Coverdale, Edna, Fontenot, Foreman's Hall, Hathaway, Illinois Plant, Lacassine, Lauderdale, Panchoville, Pine Island, Raymond, Roanoke, Silverwood, Thornwell, Topsy, Verret, and Woodlawn. Interstate 10 runs east and west through the center of the parish, providing access to local markets. Additionally, the Union Pacific Railroad is centrally located within the parish and the Mermentau River, which connects to the Intracoastal Waterway and has a channel depth of nine feet, provides access to the Port of Mermentau. The Jennings Airport, with a runway length of 5,000 feet (1,500 m), is capable of landing a small jet and is located next to Interstate 10. Jefferson Davis Parish also attracts sportsmen to the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge.

Adjacent parishes

Transportation

Major highways

Airports
  • Jennings, (3R7)
  • Welsh
Jennings, USA
Summary
Airport typePublic
LocationJennings, LA
Elevation AMSL23 ft / 7 m
Coordinates30°14′33″N 92°40′24″W
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
08/26 5,000 1,524 Asphalt
13/31 3,598 1,097 Asphalt
17/35 2,000 610 Turf

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
192018,999—
193019,7654.0%
194024,19122.4%
195026,2988.7%
196029,82513.4%
197029,554−0.9%
198032,1688.8%
199030,722−4.5%
200031,4352.3%
201031,5940.5%
2018 (est.)31,582[6]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 31,435 people, 11,480 households, and 8,529 families residing in the parish. The population density was 48 people per square mile (19/km2). There were 12,824 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km2). The racial makeup of the parish was 80.60% White, 17.79% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.15% of the population reported speaking French or Cajun French at home.

There were 11,480 households, out of which 37.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 13.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the parish the population was spread out, with 29.30% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 21.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.50 males.

The median income for a household in the parish was $27,736, and the median income for a family was $33,129. Males had a median income of $28,279 versus $18,668 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $13,398. About 18.10% of families and 20.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.40% of those under age 18 and 19.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Jefferson Davis Parish Public Schools operates the schools in the parish.

  • Elton Elementary School (Grades PK-5) (Elton)
  • Elton High School (Grades 6-12) (Elton)
  • Fenton Elementary School (Grades PK-8) (Fenton)
  • Hathaway High School (Grades K-12) (Jennings)
  • Jennings Elementary School (Grades 3-6) (Jennings)
  • Jennings High School (Grades 7-12) (Jennings)
  • Lacassine High School (Grades K-12) (Lacassine)
  • Lake Arthur Elementary School (Grades PK-6) (Lake Arthur)
  • Lake Arthur High School (Grades 7-12) (Lake Arthur)
  • James Ward Elementary School (Grades PK-2) (Jennings)
  • Welsh Elementary School (Grades PK-5) (Welsh)
  • Welsh High School (Grades 8-12) (Welsh)
  • Welsh-Roanoke Jr. High School (Grades 6-8) (Roanoke)

Jeff Davis Parish is served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette which has one school in the parish:

  • Our Lady Immaculate (Grades PK-8) (Jennings)

Additionally, Jeff Davis is served by one unaffiliated private school

Jeff Davis Parish is served by one institution of higher education

National Guard

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

Communities
Map of Jefferson Davis Parish, with municipal labels

City
  • Jennings (parish seat and largest municipality)

Towns

Village

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities
  • Barnsdall
  • Buller
  • China
  • Coverdale
  • Edna
  • Fontenot
  • Foreman's Hall
  • Gravel Point
  • Lauderdale
  • Niblett
  • Panchoville
  • Pine Island
  • Raymond
  • Silverwood
  • Soileau
  • Thornwell
  • Topsy
  • Verrett
  • Woodlawn

Notable people

Politics
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 77.0% 11,423 21.6% 3,208 1.4% 210
2016 75.5% 10,775 21.6% 3,080 3.0% 422
2012 72.9% 10,014 25.4% 3,484 1.7% 236
2008 68.7% 9,278 29.1% 3,923 2.2% 300
2004 61.9% 8,055 36.5% 4,745 1.6% 207
2000 55.4% 6,945 41.1% 5,162 3.5% 439
1996 33.3% 4,311 53.3% 6,897 13.4% 1,735
1992 32.6% 4,513 50.7% 7,022 16.6% 2,303
1988 45.7% 5,851 53.2% 6,799 1.1% 141
1984 57.4% 8,296 41.2% 5,962 1.4% 206
1980 46.7% 5,667 50.6% 6,140 2.6% 320
1976 35.1% 3,603 62.0% 6,376 2.9% 299
1972 66.0% 5,903 28.5% 2,551 5.5% 495
1968 22.7% 2,213 27.1% 2,641 50.2% 4,897
1964 42.5% 3,673 57.5% 4,966 0.0% 0
1960 25.8% 2,251 67.8% 5,904 6.4% 557
1956 62.9% 4,170 35.4% 2,346 1.7% 110
1952 49.0% 3,447 51.0% 3,584 0.0% 0
1948 21.8% 793 47.2% 1,717 31.1% 1,131
1944 33.2% 1,156 66.8% 2,329 0.0% 0
1940 29.4% 1,054 70.6% 2,531 0.0% 0
1936 19.2% 608 80.9% 2,567 0.0% 0
1932 18.1% 512 81.7% 2,308 0.1% 4
1928 39.7% 1,120 60.3% 1,703 0.0% 0
1924 47.6% 883 52.4% 973 0.0% 0
1920 55.1% 895 44.9% 728 0.0% 0
1916 22.9% 200 75.1% 656 2.0% 17

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 19, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Gremillion, John Berton Gremillion. "Jefferson Davis Parish". http://library.mcneese.edu. McNeese State University. Archived from the original on March 27, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  4. "Heywood, Walter Scott". Louisiana Historical Association, A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography. Archived from the original on February 25, 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. "Contact Information." Bethel Christian School. Retrieved on November 26, 2012. "15147 Hwy 102 Jennings, LA 70546"
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

Geology

Hydrology

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