Natchitoches Parish is a parish located in the state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Natchitoches and as of 2000, the population is 39,080.

History

Natchitoches Parish was created by the act of April 10, 1805 that divided the Orleans Territory into 12 parishes, including Orleans, Iberville, Rapides and Natchitoches. Several parishes were subsequently organized out of Natchitoches Parish.

Geography

The parish has a total area of 3,365 km² (1,299 mi²). 3,252 km² (1,255 mi²) of it is land and 114 km² (44 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.37% water.

Adjacent parishes

• Bienville Parish (north)
• Winn Parish (northeast)
• Grant Parish (east)
• Rapides Parish (southeast)
• Vernon Parish (south)
• Sabine Parish (southwest)
• De Soto Parish & Red River Parish (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 39,080 people, 14,263 households, and 9,499 families residing in the parish. The population density is 12/km² (31/mi²). There are 16,890 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (14/mi²). The racial makeup of the parish is 57.85% White, 38.43% Black or African American, 1.08% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. 1.45% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 14,263 households out of which 33.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.30% are married couples living together, 17.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% are non-families. 27.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.14.

In the parish the population is spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 17.90% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 19.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 30 years. For every 100 females there are 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.80 males.

The median income for a household in the parish is $25,722, and the median income for a family is $32,816. Males have a median income of $29,388 versus $19,234 for females. The per capita income for the parish is $13,743. 26.50% of the population and 20.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 32.70% of those under the age of 18 and 19.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns