Opelousas, Louisiana
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Opelousas is a city located in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 22,860.
Opelousas is a center of Zydeco music.
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History
The name of the city comes from the Opelousas tribe of Native Americans. There was a community of French traders conducting commerce with the Opelousas in this area as early as 1690.
The earliest record land grant in what became the town of Opelousas was in 1782. Opelousas was incorporated in 1821.
During the American Civil War, Opelousas briefly served as the Confederate capital of Louisiana in 1862.
Opelousas is the native town of 1972 Olympic champion Rodney Milburn.
Geography
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Location of Opelousas, Louisiana
Opelousas is located at 30°31'41" North, 92°5'4" West (30.528183, -92.084406)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.3 km² (7.1 mi²). 18.3 km² (7.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.14% is water.
Demographics
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As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 22,860 people, 8,699 households, and 5,663 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,250.2/km² (3,240.0/mi²). There are 9,783 housing units at an average density of 535.0/km² (1,386.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 29.30% White, 69.12% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.88% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,699 households out of which 32.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.7% are married couples living together, 26.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% are non-families. 32.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.54 and the average family size is 3.24.
In the city the population is spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 77.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $14,717, and the median income for a family is $19,966. Males have a median income of $24,588 versus $17,104 for females. The per capita income for the city is $9,957. 43.1% of the population and 37.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 57.2% of those under the age of 18 and 32.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- City of Opelousas.com (http://www.cityofopelousas.com/)
- Opelousas and St. Landry Parish (http://www.lsue.edu/acadgate/opelous.htm)