Gourt Home::Gourt :: Vernon Parish, Louisiana
Vernon Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Leesville and As of 2000, the population was 52,531.
Vernon Parish is best known for Fort Polk, a large Army base located near Leesville.
It is also the birthplace of veteran Republican Congressman James O. "Jim" McCrery, III. He was born in Leesville in 1949.
The parish trends Republican in competitive elections, but most of the local officals are Democrats.
Geography
The parish has a total area of 3,474 km² (1,342 mi²). 3,441 km² (1,328 mi²) of it is land and 34 km² (13 mi²) of it (0.98%) is water.
Adjacent parishes
- Sabine Parish (northwest)
- Natchitoches Parish (north)
- Rapides Parish (east)
- Allen Parish (southeast)
- Beauregard Parish (south)
- Newton County, Texas (west)
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 52,531 people, 18,260 households, and 13,713 families residing in the parish. The population density was 15/km² (40/mi²). There were 21,030 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (16/mi²). The racial makeup of the parish was 73.70% White, 17.06% Black or African American, 1.46% Native American, 1.58% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 2.50% from other races, and 3.40% from two or more races. 5.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 18,260 households out of which 42.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.20% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.90% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the parish the population was spread out with 29.10% under the age of 18, 14.70% from 18 to 24, 31.40% from 25 to 44, 16.80% from 45 to 64, and 7.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 109.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.70 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $31,216, and the median income for a family was $34,680. Males had a median income of $26,451 versus $20,417 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $14,036. About 12.20% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.60% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
"Vernon Parish, Louisiana"