La Salle Parish (French: Paroisse de La Salle) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of 2000, the population was 14,282. The parish seat is Jena.

History

It is named for René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle.

Geography

The parish has a total area of 662 square miles (1,716 km²), of which, 624 square miles (1,616 km²) of it is land and 39 square miles (100 km²) of it (5.82%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 84
• U.S. Highway 165
• Louisiana Highway 8
• Louisiana Highway 28

Adjacent parishes

• Caldwell Parish (north)
• Catahoula Parish (east)
• Avoyelles Parish (south)
• Rapides Parish (southwest)
• Grant Parish (west)
• Winn Parish (northwest)

National protected area

• Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,282 people, 5,291 households, and 3,798 families residing in the parish. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 6,273 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 86.13% White, 12.20% Black or African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,291 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the parish the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.20 males.

The median income for a household in the parish was $28,189, and the median income for a family was $36,197. Males had a median income of $27,431 versus $19,697 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $14,033. About 14.90% of families and 18.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.70% of those under age 18 and 18.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

The LaSalle Parish School System consists of nine schools with a total of over 2,300 students.Temple Christian Academy, which is a private school, has a total of 102 students.

Colleges and universities

Louisiana Technical College/Rod Brady Extension is located in Jena.

The nearest four year university to LaSalle Parish is LC (Louisiana College)in Pineville, Louisiana and Louisiana State University at Alexandria in Alexandria. Other nearby universities include Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, and Grambling State University in Grambling.

Communities

Towns

• Jena
• Olla
• Tullos
• Urania

Unincorporated places

• Midway
• Summerville

Notable natives and residents

• Mike Francis, former Louisiana Republican state chairman

• Speedy O. Long (1928-2006), a member of the popular Long political dynasty.

See also

References