Fenton, Louisiana

Fenton, Louisiana
Village
Location within Jefferson Davis Parish and Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Coordinates: 30°21′51″N92°55′03″W / 30.36417°N 92.91750°W / 30.36417; -92.91750
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	Jefferson Davis
Government
Area [1]
• Total	0.48 sq mi (1.26 km2)
• Land	0.48 sq mi (1.26 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	33 ft (10 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	226
• Density	465.98/sq mi (180.06/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code	337
FIPS code	22-25335
Website	villageoffenton.net

Fenton is a village in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 226 at the 2020 census. ^[2] It is notable for being a speed trap along U.S. Route 165. ^[3]

History

Fenton has received notoriety because of the village's use of the police department to write speeding tickets. Fines and forfeitures account for funding 92% of the village's budget, the highest rate in Louisiana. ^[3]

Geography

Fenton is located in northwestern Jefferson Davis Parish at 30°21′51″N92°55′3″W / 30.36417°N 92.91750°W / 30.36417; -92.91750 (30.364271, -92.917514). ^[4] U.S. Route 165 passes through the center of town, leading northeast 9 miles (14 km) to Kinder and southwest 11 miles (18 km) to Iowa.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Fenton has a total area of 0.42 square miles (1.1 km²), all land. ^[2]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1960	429		—
1970	404		−5.8%
1980	491		21.5%
1990	265		−46.0%
2000	380		43.4%
2010	379		−0.3%
2020	226		−40.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [5]

Fenton is part of the Jennings Micropolitan Statistical Area.

2020 census

Fenton village, 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 2000 [6]	Pop 2010 [7]	Pop 2020 [8]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	171	138	101	45.00%	36.41%	44.69%
Black or African American alone (NH)	197	211	104	51.84%	55.67%	46.02%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	1	2	0	0.26%	0.53%	0.00%
Asian alone (NH)	1	0	0	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	0	0	0	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Other Race alone (NH)	0	0	2	0.00%	0.00%	0.88%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	2	15	13	0.53%	3.96%	5.75%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	8	13	6	2.11%	3.43%	2.65%
Total	380	379	223	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census ^[9] of 2000, there were 380 people, 141 households, and 101 families residing in the village. The population density was 921.6 inhabitants per square mile (355.8/km²). There were 153 housing units at an average density of 371.1 per square mile (143.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 45.26% White, 52.37% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.53% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.11% of the population.

There were 141 households, out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 17.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% 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 3.23.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 32.9% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $21,125, and the median income for a family was $25,625. Males had a median income of $25,417 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $9,958. About 29.1% of families and 33.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.1% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The entire parish is in the Jefferson Davis Parish School District. ^[10]

Notable persons

Thomas A. "Tom" Greene, a former state senator from Iberville Parish, graduated in 1966 from Fenton High School. ^[11]

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
2. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Fenton village, Louisiana". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
3. "This Louisiana Town Runs Largely on Traffic Fines. If You Fight Your Ticket, the Mayor Is Your Judge". ProPublica. November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023.
4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
6. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Fenton village, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau.
7. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fenton village, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau.
8. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fenton village, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau.
9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
10. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jefferson Davis Parish, LA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved November 23, 2023. - Text list
11. "Senate District 17". enlou.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2008. Retrieved November 1, 2009.

External links

• Village of Fenton official website