St. Mary Parish, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
St. Mary Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state
of Louisiana
. The parish seat is Franklin
. As of 2000, the population was 53,500.
The Morgan City
Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of St. Mary Parish.
of 2000, there were 53,500 people, 19,317 households, and 14,082 families residing in the parish. The population density
was 87 people per square mile (34/km²). There were 21,650 housing units at an average density of 35 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 62.79% White
, 31.79% Black
or African American
, 1.39% Native American
, 1.64% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.88% from other races
, and 1.50% from two or more races. 2.15% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 5.43% reported speaking French
or Cajun French
at home, while 2.45% speak Spanish
and 1.59% Vietnamese
.http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=22&county_id=101&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r
There were 19,317 households out of which 36.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.00% were married couples
living together, 16.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the parish the population was spread out with 29.70% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $28,072, and the median income for a family was $33,064. Males had a median income of $31,570 versus $18,341 for females. The per capita income
for the parish was $13,399. About 20.60% of families and 23.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.30% of those under age 18 and 19.00% of those age 65 or over.
operates local public schools.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs
has the Chitimacha Day School in the Charenton community of unincorporated St. Mary Parish.
in Franklin (circulation 3,350).
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. The parish seat is Franklin
Franklin, Louisiana
Franklin is a city in and the parish seat of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,354 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. As of 2000, the population was 53,500.
The Morgan City
Morgan City, Louisiana
Morgan City is a city in St. Martin and St. Mary parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 12,404 at the 2010 census....
Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of St. Mary Parish.
Geography
The parish has a total area of 2,898 km2 (1,119 mi2). 613 square miles (1,587.7 km²) of it is land and 506 square miles (1,310.5 km²) of it is water. The total area is 45.23% water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 90- Louisiana Highway 83
- Louisiana Highway 87
- Louisiana Highway 317
Adjacent parishes
- Iberia ParishIberia Parish, LouisianaIberia Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is New Iberia. As of 2000, the population was 73,266.Iberia Parish is part of the New Iberia Micropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Lafayette–Acadiana Combined Statistical Area.Iberia, along with...
(north) - St. Martin ParishSt. Martin Parish, LouisianaSt. Martin Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is St. Martinville. As of the 2000 census, the population was 48,583.St...
(east) - Assumption ParishAssumption Parish, LouisianaAssumption Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and was formed in 1807 as an original parish of the Louisiana Territory. Its parish seat is Napoleonville. In 2000, its population was 23,388. Assumption is one of the 22 Acadiana parishes. Its major product is sugarcane...
(southeast) - Terrebonne ParishTerrebonne Parish, LouisianaTerrebonne Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Houma. Its population was 111,860...
(south)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 53,500 people, 19,317 households, and 14,082 families residing in the parish. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 87 people per square mile (34/km²). There were 21,650 housing units at an average density of 35 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 62.79% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 31.79% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.39% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.64% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.88% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.50% from two or more races. 2.15% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 5.43% reported speaking French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
or Cajun French
Cajun French
Cajun French is a variety or dialects of the French language spoken primarily in Louisiana, specifically in the southern and southwestern parishes....
at home, while 2.45% speak Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and 1.59% Vietnamese
Vietnamese language
Vietnamese is the national and official language of Vietnam. It is the mother tongue of 86% of Vietnam's population, and of about three million overseas Vietnamese. It is also spoken as a second language by many ethnic minorities of Vietnam...
.http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=22&county_id=101&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r
There were 19,317 households out of which 36.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the parish the population was spread out with 29.70% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $28,072, and the median income for a family was $33,064. Males had a median income of $31,570 versus $18,341 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the parish was $13,399. About 20.60% of families and 23.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.30% of those under age 18 and 19.00% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
|
Morgan City, Louisiana Morgan City is a city in St. Martin and St. Mary parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 12,404 at the 2010 census.... Patterson, Louisiana Patterson is a small city in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 6,530 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... |
Census-designated places
- AmeliaAmelia, LouisianaAmelia is a census-designated place in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,423 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Amelia is located at ....
- Bayou VistaBayou Vista, LouisianaBayou Vista is a census-designated place in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,351 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- CharentonCharenton, LouisianaCharenton is a census-designated place in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,944 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area. According to legend, the community received its name from one of the earliest settlers of the region,...
- Franklin, Louisiana [Franklin]
- Baldwin, Louisiana [Baldwin]
Education
St. Mary Parish School BoardSt. Mary Parish School Board
St. Mary Parish School Board is a school district headquartered in unincorporated St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States.The district serves St. Mary Parish.-High schools:* Berwick High School * Franklin Senior High School...
operates local public schools.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is an agency of the federal government of the United States within the US Department of the Interior. It is responsible for the administration and management of of land held in trust by the United States for Native Americans in the United States, Native American...
has the Chitimacha Day School in the Charenton community of unincorporated St. Mary Parish.
Newspapers
St. Mary Parish has two daily newspapers, the Morgan City Daily Review (circulation under 6,000) and the Franklin Banner-TribuneFranklin Banner-Tribune
The Franklin Banner-Tribune is a small daily newspaper which circulates in Franklin, the parish seat of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. It has approximately 3,350 paid subscribers and is owned by Morgan City Newspapers LLC....
in Franklin (circulation 3,350).
Notable natives and residents
- Clarence C. "Taddy" Aycock (1915–1987) was the state House Speaker from 1952–1956 and lieutenant governor from 1960-1972.
- V.J. BellaV.J. BellaVincent Joseph Bella, known as V.J. Bella , is a former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from St. Mary Parish whose service extended from 1972-1990. Thereafter, Bella served in Baton Rouge as the appointed state fire marshal from 1990–1992 and again from 1996-2004...
(born 1927), former state representative (1972–1990) and state fire marshal (1990–1992; 1996–2004) - Elizabeth BislandElizabeth BislandElizabeth Bisland Wetmore was an American journalist and author, perhaps best known for her 1889–1890 race around the world against Nellie Bly, which drew worldwide attention.-Early career:...
(1861–1929), noted journalist and author - Lewis Strong ClarkeLewis Strong ClarkeLewis Strong Clarke, Sr. , was the owner of a sugar plantation in St. Mary Parish and a leader of the Republican Party in Louisiana in the latter part of the 19th century....
, a sugar planter and 19th century RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, owned the plantation Lagonda near PattersonPatterson, LouisianaPatterson is a small city in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 6,530 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. - Murphy James "Mike" Foster, Jr.Murphy J. Foster, Jr.Murphy James "Mike" Foster, Jr. served as 53rd Governor of Louisiana from January 1996 until January 2004. Foster's father was Murphy J. Foster, Jr., but Mike Foster uses "Jr." even though he is technically Murphy J. Foster, III. Foster is a businessman, landowner, and sportsman in St...
(born 1930), of St. Mary Parish served as governor from 1996-2004. - Percy SaintPercy SaintPercy D. Saint was an lawyer and politician who served as the Louisiana attorney general from 1924 until 1932. He was an intraparty Democratic critic of Governor and U.S. Senator Huey Pierce Long, Jr.-Background:...
(1870-1958), Louisiana attorney general (1924-1932)
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in St. Mary Parish, LouisianaNational Register of Historic Places listings in St. Mary Parish, LouisianaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States...