Iberia Parish, Louisiana

Iberia Parish, Louisiana
Location in the state of Louisiana
Louisiana's location in the U.S.
Founded	October 30, 1868
Named for	Iberian Peninsula
Seat	New Iberia
Largest city	New Iberia
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,031 sq mi (2,670 km²) 575 sq mi (1,490 km²) 456 sq mi (1,180 km²), 44.21%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	73,266 127/sq mi (49/km²)
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5

Iberia Parish (French: Paroisse de l'Ibérie) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is New Iberia. As of 2000, the population was 73,266.

Iberia Parish is part of the New Iberia Micropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Lafayette–Acadiana Combined Statistical Area.

Iberia, along with Vermilion Parish, is represented in the Louisiana House of Representatives by the Republican Simone B. Champagne of Jeanerette. From 2002 to 2007, she was the chief administrative officer for the combined parish and New Iberia government.

Geography

The parish has a total area of 1,031 square miles (2,670.3 km²), of which 575 square miles (1,489.2 km²) is land and 456 square miles (1,181.0 km²) (44.21%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 90
• Louisiana Highway 14
• Louisiana Highway 31

Adjacent parishes

• St. Martin Parish (north, south)
• Iberville Parish (northeast)
• Assumption Parish (east)
• St. Mary Parish (southeast)
• Gulf of Mexico (south)
• Vermilion Parish (west)
• Lafayette Parish (northwest)

National protected area

• Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

NOAA aerial photo of the Port of Iberia

Census	Pop.		%±
1900	29,015		—
1910	31,262		7.7%
1920	26,855		−14.1%
1930	28,192		5.0%
1940	37,183		31.9%
1950	40,059		7.7%
1960	51,657		29.0%
1970	57,397		11.1%
1980	63,752		11.1%
1990	68,297		7.1%
2000	73,266		7.3%
2010	73,240		0%
Iberia Parish Census Data[1]

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 73,266 people, 25,381 households, and 19,162 families residing in the parish. The population density was 127 people per square mile (49/km²). There were 27,844 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile (19/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 65.08% White, 30.81% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.93% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 11.99% reported speaking French or Cajun French at home, while 1.48% speak Lao and 1.29% Spanish.[1]

There were 25,381 households out of which 39.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.20% were married couples living together, 17.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 21.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the parish the population was spread out with 30.00% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 92.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.80 males.

The median income for a household in the parish was $31,204, and the median income for a family was $36,017. Males had a median income of $32,399 versus $18,174 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $14,145. About 20.20% of families and 23.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.50% of those under age 18 and 20.20% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Map of Iberia Parish, Louisiana With Municipal Labels

Delcambre (partially in another parish) Jeanerette

Loreauville Lydia

New Iberia

In addition, Avery Island, home of the Tabasco factory, is an unincorporated area located in Iberia Parish.

Education

Iberia Parish School System serves the parish.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Iberia Parish, Louisiana

Louisiana portal

References

1. ^ 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. 
2. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

External links

• Iberia Parish Sheriff Department

Geology

• Heinrich, P. V., and W. J. Autin, 2000, Baton Rouge 30 x 60 minute geologic quadrangle. Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Coordinates: 29°47′N 91°47′W / 29.79°N 91.78°W / 29.79; -91.78