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Rapides Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It encompasses one half of the Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical area along with Grant Parish.
History
In 1763, the land that is now Rapides Parish became the new home of Apalachee indians fleeing the British and their Creek indian allies from what is now from Leon County, Florida. Rapides Parish was formed in 1807 by the government of the Orleans Territory.
Geography
The parish has a total area of 3,527 km² (1,362 mi²). 3,425 km² (1,323 mi²) of it is land and 102 km² (39 mi²) of it (2.89%) is water.
Adjacent parishes
- Grant Parish (north)
- La Salle Parish (northeast)
- Avoyelles Parish (east)
- Evangeline Parish (southeast)
- Allen Parish (southwest)
- Vernon Parish (west)
- Natchitoches Parish (northwest)
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 126,337 people, 47,120 households, and 33,125 families residing in the parish. The population density was 37/km² (96/mi²). There were 52,038 housing units at an average density of 15/km² (39/mi²). The racial makeup of the parish was 66.51% White, 30.43% Black or African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. 1.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 47,120 households out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.70% were married couples living together, 16.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% 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 27.20% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.00 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $29,856, and the median income for a family was $36,671. Males had a median income of $29,775 versus $20,483 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $16,088. About 16.40% of families and 20.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.30% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
External link
"Rapides Parish, Louisiana"