Assumption Parish, Louisiana

Infobox U.S. County
county = Assumption Parish
state = Louisiana




founded year = 1807
founded date =
seat wl = Napoleonville
largest city wl = Pierre Part
area_total_sq_mi = 365
area_total_km2 = 944
area_land_sq_mi = 339
area_land_km2 = 877
area_water_sq_mi = 26
area_water_km2 = 67
area percentage = 7.10%
census yr = 2000
pop = 23388
density_sq_mi = 69
density_km2 = 27
time zone = Central
UTC offset = -6
DST offset = -5
footnotes =
web =
named for = Assumption Roman Catholic Church

Assumption Parish ((French: "Paroisse de l'Assomption") is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and was formed in 1807 as an original parish of the Louisiana Territory. Its parish seat is Napoleonville. In 2000, its population was 23,388. Assumption is one of the 22 Acadiana parishes. Its major product is sugarcane. In proportion to its area, Assumption Parish produces the most sugar of any parish of Louisiana.

Assumption Parish is part of the Pierre Part Micropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Baton Rouge–Pierre Part Combined Statistical Area.

History

Assumption Parish was not badly affected by Hurricane Katrina as were some parishes in Southeast Louisiana. There were official reports of three deaths in the parish.

Two days before Hurricane Katrina's scheduled landfall, parish government ordered a voluntary evacuation for the entire Parish of Assumption. The next morning, parish leaders met once more and then decided to order a mandatory evacuation for all residents living within the parish.

After Katrina, schools were closed for a week because of widespread power outages, and a curfew was placed throughout the parish.

Geography

The parish has a total area of 365 square miles (944 km²), of which, 339 square miles (877 km²) of it is land and 26 square miles (67 km²) of it (7.10%) is water.

Major Highways

*
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Adjacent parishes

*Iberville Parish & Ascension Parish (north)
*St. James Parish (northeast)
*Lafourche Parish (east)
*Terrebonne Parish (southeast)
*St. Mary Parish (southwest)
*Iberia Parish (northwest)
*St. Martin Parish (west)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 23,388 people, 8,239 households, and 6,311 families residing in the parish. The population density was 69 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 9,635 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 67.17% White, 31.52% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 81.14% of the population over the age of five spoke only English at home, while 17.58% reported speaking French or Cajun French [http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=22&county_id=7&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r] .USCensusPop
title=
1790=
1800=
1810=
1820=
1830=
1840=
1850=
1860=
1870=
1880=
1890=
1900= 21620
1910= 24128
1920= 17912
1930= 15990
1940= 18541
1950= 17278
1960= 17991
1970= 19654
1980= 22084
1990= 22753
2000= 23388
estimate= 23472
estyear= 2006
estref= [cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22/22007.html|title=Assumption Parish Quickfacts|author=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-02]
footnote=Assumption Parish Census Data [cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/la190090.txt|title=Louisiana Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|author=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-02] There were 8,239 households out of which 37.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 14.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.40% were non-families. 20.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the parish the population was spread out with 28.50% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.

The median income for a household in the parish was $31,168, and the median income for a family was $36,052. Males had a median income of $35,941 versus $18,065 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $14,008. About 19.50% of families and 21.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.40% of those under age 18 and 21.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities and towns

Napoleonville is the sole incorporated community in the parish.

Census-designated places

Education

Assumption Parish School Board operates local public schools. Assumption High School serves the whole parish.

National Guard

The 926th Sapper Company, a unit of the 769th Engineer Battalion and the 225th Engineer Brigade.

ee also

References

External links

* [http://assumptionla.com/ Assumption Parish Website]
* [http://www.assumptionchamber.org/ Assumption Parish Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/louisiana/ Explore the History and Culture of Southeastern Louisiana, a National Park Service "Discover Our Shared Heritage" Travel Itinerary]