Rayne | |
---|---|
City of Rayne | |
Nickname(s): Frog Capital of the World Louisiana City of Murals | |
Coordinates: 30°14′15″N92°16′05″W / 30.23750°N 92.26806°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Louisiana |
Parish | Acadia |
Government | |
• Mayor | Chuck Robichaux (R) [1] |
Area | |
• Total | 3.80 sq mi (9.84 km2) |
• Land | 3.79 sq mi (9.82 km2) |
• Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
Elevation | 36 ft (11 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 7,236 |
• Density | 1,908.23/sq mi (736.75/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code | 70578 [3] |
Area code | 337 |
FIPS code | 22-63645 |
Website | www |
Rayne is a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, in Acadia Parish. With a population of 7,326 at the 2020 United States census, [4] it is nicknamed the "Frog Capital of the World", [5] [6] [7] as well as the "Louisiana City of Murals". [8] Rayne is part of the Crowley micropolitan statistical area, and within the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area in Acadiana.
Rayne, Louisiana, is located in Acadia Parish and has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. The area that would become Rayne was originally part of a large land grant awarded to French settlers in the 18th century. These settlers were primarily involved in agriculture, cultivating crops such as rice and sugarcane [9] .
The establishment of Rayne began in earnest in the 1880s with the arrival of the railroad. The city was initially named Pouppeville [10] , after a prominent local figure, but was soon renamed Rayne in honor of Rayne Grey, an engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad, whose efforts were instrumental in bringing the railroad to the area [11] . The railroad not only facilitated transportation and commerce but also attracted a diverse population, contributing to the town's growth and development [12] .
Rayne's association with frogs began in the early 20th century. Local entrepreneur Jacques Weil noticed the abundance of frogs in the region and started exporting frog legs to New Orleans [13] . This venture proved successful, and soon Rayne became known for its frog exports, earning its unique moniker. Over time, frogs became an integral part of the city's identity and culture [14] .
Throughout its history, Rayne has experienced growth and modernization while retaining its small-town charm and distinctive character. The community values its historical roots and continues to celebrate its unique cultural heritage, making Rayne a noteworthy example of Louisiana's rich and diverse history [15] .
Today, Rayne remains a vibrant community known for its warm hospitality, cultural festivals, and as a proud emblem of Acadian heritage in the heart of Louisiana [16] .
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.9 km2), of which 0.0077 square miles (0.02 km2), or 0.18%, is water. [17] The city is located in Acadiana, and forms part of the Lafayette metropolitan area.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1890 | 569 | — | |
1900 | 1,007 | 77.0% | |
1910 | 2,247 | 123.1% | |
1920 | 2,720 | 21.1% | |
1930 | 3,710 | 36.4% | |
1940 | 4,974 | 34.1% | |
1950 | 6,485 | 30.4% | |
1960 | 8,634 | 33.1% | |
1970 | 9,510 | 10.1% | |
1980 | 9,066 | −4.7% | |
1990 | 8,502 | −6.2% | |
2000 | 8,552 | 0.6% | |
2010 | 7,953 | −7.0% | |
2020 | 7,326 | −7.9% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [18] |
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 4,428 | 61.19% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 2,429 | 33.57% |
Native American | 21 | 0.29% |
Asian | 25 | 0.35% |
Pacific Islander | 2 | 0.03% |
Other/Mixed | 217 | 3.0% |
Hispanic or Latino | 114 | 1.58% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,236 people, 2,834 households, and 1,879 families residing in the city. The 2019 American Community Survey estimated 8,041 people and 2,834 households resided in the city. [20]
In 2019, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 58.0% non-Hispanic or Latino white, 37.6% Black or African American, 3.3% two or more races, and 1.1% Hispanic and Latin American of any race. [21] At the 2000 United States census, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 65.55% White American, 33.52% African American, 0.11% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.16% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races; Hispanic and Latin Americans of any race were 0.81% of the population. From 2015 to 2019, the largest Hispanic and Latin American groups were Mexican Americans and stateside Puerto Ricans (0.3% each). [21]
There were 2,834 households and 3,463 housing units at the 2019 American Community Survey. [20] Of the 1,569 occupied housing units, 879 were married couples living together, 97 were male households with no female present, and 137 female households with no male present. The average family size was 3.34, up from 3.22 at the 2000 census, and 38.0% of the population were never married.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 10.9% aged 5 and under, 76.0% aged 18 and older, and 16.6% aged 65 and older. [20] The median age was 40.2 years, up from 34 years in 2000. The largest ancestry groups among the population were French (18.8%), Irish (6.6%), sub-Saharan African (2.1%), German (1.9%), English (1.4%), Scottish (0.9%), and Italian (0.7%). An estimated 10.1% spoke a language other than English at home, and Spanish was spoken by 1.1% of the population; other Indo-European languages were spoken by 8.7% of the population.
At the 2019 American Community Survey, the median household income was $32,266 and the median income for a family was $41,721; married couples had a median income of $53,373 and non-family households were $17,917. About 30.4% of the population lived at or below the poverty line, and 38.2% of the city aged under 18 lived at or below the poverty line; 32.4% of the population aged 65 and older were at or below the poverty line.
Rayne hosts their annual Frog Festival the second weekend in May. The festival, which began in 1973, attracts thousands of visitors each year. [22] It's a family-friendly event filled with a variety of activities and entertainment that reflect the city's distinctive character, including frog racing and jumping contests, frog-eating competitions, carnival rides, and live music performances. [23]
Year-round, there are frog sculptures, murals, signs, and statues for visitors to see. [24]
An EF2 tornado hit Rayne on March 5, 2011, injuring at least twelve people and killing one person, leveling homes and causing natural gas leaks that prompted evacuations. [25] [26] [27] [28] [29]
The Acadia Parish School Board serves the city. Rayne High School, home of the Mighty Wolves, is located in Rayne.
Other schools in Rayne include:
Vermilion Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, created in 1844. The parish seat is Abbeville. Vermilion Parish is part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area, and located in southern Acadiana. At the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 57,359.
St. Martin Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, founded in 1811. Its parish seat is St. Martinville, and the largest city is Breaux Bridge. At the 2020 census, the population was 51,767. St. Martin Parish is part of the Lafayette metropolitan area in the region of Acadiana, along the Gulf Coast.
Lafayette Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. According to the 2020 U.S. census, the parish had a population of 241,753, up from 221,578 at the 2010 United States census. The parish seat is the city of Lafayette. The parish was founded in 1823. Since 1996, the city and parish have operated as a consolidated government.
Iberia Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 69,929; the parish seat is New Iberia.
Acadia Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. At the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 57,576. The parish seat and the most populous municipality is Crowley. The parish was founded from parts of St. Landry Parish in 1886, and later an election was held to determine the parish seat, ending when Crowley beat Rayne and Prairie Hayes. Acadia Parish is included in the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area.
Bunkie is a city in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,171 at the 2010 census.
Ringgold is a town in the U.S. state of Louisiana, in the western half of Bienville Parish. The town of Ringgold is named for United States Army Major Samuel Ringgold. The population of Ringgold was 1,495 at the 2010 census, and 1,370 at the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 estimates, down from 1,601 in 2018. The 2020 U.S. census estimates program recorded a population of 1,336, though the census established a population of 1,379. It is the second largest incorporated municipality in Bienville Parish by population.
Mooringsport is an incorporated municipality in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located in Caddo Parish. Part of the Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan area and located approximately 18 miles (29 km) outside of the principal city of Shreveport, the town of Mooringsport had a population of 748 at the 2020 U.S. census.
Harahan is a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana and suburb of New Orleans. The city of Harahan is located in Jefferson Parish; its population was 9,116 at the 2020 census.
Monroe is the eighth-largest city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and parish seat of Ouachita Parish. With a 2020 census-tabulated population of 47,702, it is the principal city of the Monroe metropolitan statistical area, the second-largest metropolitan area in North Louisiana. Pecanland Mall is located in Monroe.
LaPlace is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, United States, situated along the east bank of the Mississippi River, in the New Orleans metropolitan area. In 2020, it had a population of 28,841.
Krotz Springs is a town in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Atchafalaya River. The population was 1,198 at the 2010 census, down from 1,219 in 2000. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area.
St. Martinville is a city in and the parish seat of St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on Bayou Teche, 13 miles (21 km) south of Breaux Bridge, 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Lafayette, and 9 miles (14 km) north of New Iberia. The population was 6,114 at the 2010 U.S. census, and 5,379 at the 2020 United States census. It is part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area.
Morgan City is a small city in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States, located in the Acadiana region. The population was 11,472 at the 2020 census. Known for being "right in the middle of everywhere", Morgan City is located 68 miles (109 km) southeast of Lafayette, 64 miles (103 km) south of Baton Rouge, and 86 miles (138 km) west of New Orleans.
Kaplan is a city in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,600 at the 2010 census, and 4,345 at the 2020 population estimates program. It is part of the Abbeville micropolitan statistical area in Acadiana.
Basile is a town in Acadia and Evangeline parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 1,214 in 2020.
Duson is a town in Acadia and Lafayette parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The town was named after Curley Duson, a sheriff of St. Landry Parish. At the 2010 U.S. census, the town had a population of 1,716; in 2020, at the population estimates program, its population was 1,761. The Lafayette Parish portion of Duson is part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area, while the Acadia Parish portion is part of the Crowley micropolitan statistical area. Duson also has a ghost town affiliated with it, a tiny neighborhood that was made but never finished. It is currently blocked off by the town's police.
Eunice is a city in Acadia and St. Landry parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The 2010 census placed the population at 10,398, a decrease of 1,101, or 9.5 percent, from the 2000 tabulation of 11,499.
Tullos is a town in LaSalle and Winn parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana, along Castor Creek. The population was 385 at the 2010 census.
The Lafayette–New Iberia–Opelousas combined statistical area is made up of six parishes in the Acadiana region of southern Louisiana. The statistical area consists of the Lafayette Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and two micropolitical statistical areas (μSAs) – New Iberia, Louisiana Micropolitan Statistical Area, and Opelousas, Louisiana Micropolitical Statistical Area. The region consists of seven parishes: Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermilion Parishes. As of the 2010 census, the CSA had a population of 604,784.