History
The name of the parish is derived from the former French colony of Acadia in Canada (which consisted of the modern provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and much of Maine). After Britain defeated France in the Seven Years' War, they took control of their North American colonies east of the Mississippi River. They required ethnic French Acadians to take a loyalty oath and never got over their suspicions of them. They deported many of the French-speaking inhabitants to France. From there, some joined others who had migrated directly to the French colony of La Louisiane (Louisiana) in what was known as the Great Upheaval. (see Cajuns).
The parish was formed from the southwestern portion of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. On May 19, 1886, a bill was introduced in the Louisiana state house entitled "An act to create the parish of Nicholls, and to provide for the organization thereof." [4] The title was later changed to read: "An act to create the parish of Acadia." Father Joseph Anthonioz, the first pastor of the Catholic Church at Rayne, is credited with having suggested the name, Acadia Parish. The bill passed the house on June 11, the senate on June 28, and was approved by Governor Samuel D. McEnery on June 30. [5]
On October 6, an election was held to affirm the creation of the parish, with 2,516 votes for and 1,521 votes against the creation. The population of the new parish was from 10,000 to 12,000. Acadia Parish population in 1890 was 13,231. [6]
After a close election held on March 1, 1887, Crowley was chosen as the parish seat, gathering 698 votes to Rayne's and Prairie Hayes' 560 and 519, respectively. The election also determined the first officers in the parish: Elridge W. Lyons, first sheriff of Acadia; and R. T. Clark, first clerk of court. The first courthouse was constructed in Crowley and completed on June 30, 1888. It continued to be used until May 1, 1902, when it was destroyed to make way for the second building. [7]
Demographics
Historical population| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|
| 1890 | 13,231 | | — |
|---|
| 1900 | 23,483 | | 77.5% |
|---|
| 1910 | 31,847 | | 35.6% |
|---|
| 1920 | 34,820 | | 9.3% |
|---|
| 1930 | 39,326 | | 12.9% |
|---|
| 1940 | 46,260 | | 17.6% |
|---|
| 1950 | 47,050 | | 1.7% |
|---|
| 1960 | 49,931 | | 6.1% |
|---|
| 1970 | 52,109 | | 4.4% |
|---|
| 1980 | 56,427 | | 8.3% |
|---|
| 1990 | 55,882 | | −1.0% |
|---|
| 2000 | 58,861 | | 5.3% |
|---|
| 2010 | 61,773 | | 4.9% |
|---|
| 2020 | 57,576 | | −6.8% |
|---|
|
Racial and ethnic composition
Acadia Parish, Louisiana – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980 [14] | Pop 1990 [15] | Pop 2000 [16] | Pop 2010 [17] | Pop 2020 [18] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|
| White alone (NH) | 45,936 | 45,240 | 47,150 | 48,555 | 44,115 | 81.41% | 80.96% | 80.10% | 78.60% | 76.62% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 9,734 | 10,140 | 10,705 | 11,133 | 9,946 | 17.25% | 18.15% | 18.19% | 18.02% | 17.27% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 23 | 47 | 110 | 155 | 145 | 0.04% | 0.08% | 0.19% | 0.25% | 0.25% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 43 | 73 | 87 | 137 | 163 | 0.08% | 0.13% | 0.15% | 0.22% | 0.28% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [19] | x [20] | 3 | 5 | 2 | x | x | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 28 | 10 | 29 | 43 | 99 | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.05% | 0.07% | 0.17% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [21] | x [22] | 239 | 685 | 1,465 | x | x | 0.41% | 1.11% | 2.54% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 663 | 372 | 538 | 1,060 | 1,641 | 1.17% | 0.67% | 0.91% | 1.72% | 2.85% |
| Total | 56,427 | 55,882 | 58,861 | 61,773 | 57,576 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the parish had a population of 57,576, 22,029 households, and 15,519 families. The median age was 39.1 years; 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.3 males age 18 and over. [23]
The racial makeup of the parish was 77.3% White, 17.3% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.4% from some other race, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.9% of the population. [24]
38.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 61.7% lived in rural areas. [25]
There were 24,840 housing units, of which 11.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.3% were owner-occupied and 29.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%. [23]
2019 estimates
According to the 2019 American Community Survey, 27.4% of residents were of French heritage; 9.3% were German, 4.2% English, 4.1% Irish, 0.5% sub-Saharan African, 0.4% Scottish, 0.1% Norwegian, and 0.1% Polish ancestry. Approximately 10% of the parish spoke a language other than English at home. [26]
In 2019, an estimated 1,120 businesses operated in the parish, and the median household income was $43,396; the mean income was $61,465. [27] The parish had a 52.6% employment rate, and 24.2% of the total population lived at or below the poverty line in 2019. [26]
Arts and culture
Many festivals and cultural celebrations are held annually in Acadia Parish, including the International Rice Festival in Crowley, Frog Festival in Rayne, and Germanfest in Roberts Cove. Cajun food and music, both specialties of the local population, feature prominently in these festivals.
Several communities in Acadia Parish celebrate the tradition of Courir de Mardi Gras . Disguised with masks and costumes, Cajuns travel through their rural neighborhoods, making merry while begging for gumbo ingredients. The gumbo is the centerpiece of a communal supper and dance.
Education
Acadia Parish is served by Acadia Parish Schools.
- Acadia Parish Head Start - Church Point
- Church Point Elementary (grades PK-5) (Church Point)
- Church Point Middle (grades 6–8) (Church Point)
- Church Point High (grades 9–12) (Church Point)
- Acadia Parish Head Start - Rayne
- Central Rayne Kindergarten (grades PK-1) (Rayne)
- Martin Petitjean Elementary (grades 1–3) (Rayne)
- South Rayne Elementary (grades 4–5) (Rayne)
- Armstrong Middle (grades 6–8) (Rayne)
- Rayne High (grades 9–12) (Rayne)
- Acadia Parish Head Start - Crowley
- Crowley Kindergarten (grades PK-K) (Crowley)
- North Crowley Elementary (grades K-5) (Crowley)
- Ross Elementary (grades K-5) (Crowley)
- South Crowley Elementary (grades K-5) (Crowley)
- Crowley Middle (grades 6–8) (Crowley)
- Iota Elementary (grades PK-5) (Iota)
- Iota Middle (grades 6–8) (Iota)
- Iota High (grades 9–12) (Iota)
- Acadia Parish Head Start - Estherwood
- Branch Elementary (grades PK-8) (Branch)
- Egan Elementary (grades PK-8) (Egan)
- Estherwood Elementary (grades PK-7) (Estherwood)
- Evangeline Elementary (grades PK-8) (Evangeline)
- Mermentau Elementary (grades PK-7) (Mermentau)
- Mire Elementary (grades PK-8) (unincorporated Rayne)
- Morse Elementary (grades PK-7) (Morse)
- Richard Elementary (grades PK-8) (unincorporated Church Point)
- Crowley High (grades 9–12) (unincorporated Crowley)
- Midland High (grades 8–12) (unincorporated Midland)
Acadia Parish is also served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette with five schools:
- St. Francis School (grades PK-8) (Iota)
- Rayne Catholic Elementary School (grades PK-8) (Rayne)
- St. Michael Elementary School (grades PK-8) (Crowley)
- Our Mother of Peace Elementary School (grades PK-8) (Church Point)
- Notre Dame High School (grades 9–12) (Crowley)
Additionally, Acadia Parish is served by one unaffiliated private school:
- Northside Christian School (grades PK-12) (Crowley)
Acadia Parish is served by two institutions of higher education:
Acadia Parish Library operates branches in the parish.
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