St. Martinville, Louisiana

The city of St. Martinville is the parish seat of St. Martin Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. The population was 6,989 at the 2000 census.

Overview

St.Martinville was the meeting place of exiled French aristocrats fleeing the French Revolution, and of Acadians of Nova Scotia seeking refuge after the British expulsion. It was also the meeting place of wealthy New Orleanians escaping the oppressive heat and epidemics of the city. Its terrain is mixture of swamp and prairie

The third oldest town in Louisiana retains many buildings and homes with beautiful architecture, such as the historic St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church and the Evangeline Oak made famous in Longfellow's poem.

Geography

St. Martinville is located at (30.125053, -91.830593).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.8 km² (3.0 mi²). 7.8 km² (3.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.33% is water.

The city is located on the Bayou Teche, just west of the Atchafalaya River, with Breaux Bridge to the north and New Iberia to the south.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,989 people, 2,496 households, and 1,722 families residing in the city. The population density was 899.5/km² (2,330.1/mi²). There were 2,778 housing units at an average density of 357.5/km² (926.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 35.78% White, 62.84% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.

There were 2,496 households out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 26.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,600, and the median income for a family was $28,711. Males had a median income of $28,946 versus $18,314 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,529. About 26.9% of families and 31.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.4% of those under age 18 and 31.2% of those age 65 or over.

History

People & Culture

St. Martinville is widely considered to be the birthplace of Cajun culture.

Festivals

La Grande Boucherie des Cajuns

Pepper Festival

Attractions

St. Martin de Tours Church is the oldest church parish in southwest Louisiana. It is known as the Mother Church of the Acadians because it was founded in 1765 upon the arrival of Acadians in this area. The current building has served as a center for religious activities in this predominantly Catholic community for over one hundred fifty years. Behind the church, on the site of the original cemetery, monuments mark the participation of Acadians and others in the American Revolution.
La Maison Duchamp on Main Street in St. Martinville, Louisiana was built by Eugene & Amelie Duchamp in 1876 as their town house. This St. Martinville landmark house has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places; therefore, future generations will be able to marvel at its creative architecture and remember times past.