Cottonport, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Cottonport is a town in Avoyelles Parish
, Louisiana
, United States
. The population was 2,316 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 2,316 people, 770 households, and 549 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,174.5 people per square mile (453.9/km²). There were 840 housing units at an average density of 426.0 per square mile (164.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 48.32% White, 49.65% African American, 0.73% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.30% from other races
, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.
There were 770 households out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples
living together, 27.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the town the population was spread out with 32.3% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 71.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 64.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $18,973, and the median income for a family was $21,888. Males had a median income of $21,597 versus $18,542 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $9,507. About 34.5% of families and 40.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 54.7% of those under age 18 and 27.3% of those age 65 or over.
Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
Avoyelles is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Marksville. In 2000, its population was 41,481. The parish is named for the Avoyel Indian tribe.-History:...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,316 at the 2000 census.
History
Cottonport was founded in the early 19th century and incorporated in 1888 along the banks of Bayou Rouge (French for Red Bayou). In the 19th century, large boats made their way through Cottonport with goods destined for the port of New Orleans. The bayou was deep enough to support the large boats and formed a perfect horseshoe, which allowed them to turn around. The boats would deliver cargo into the area and would load crops on board to take to larger ports along the route. The main crop available for exporting at that time was cotton. In fact, because so much cotton was being shipped from the port, early settlers named the village Cottonport.Present Day
Today, over 100 years after its incorporation, Cottonport retains many of its picturesque qualities. Although Bayou Rouge is no longer navigable, it continues to be used as a fishing and boating outlet. It also serves as the backdrop to the annual Cottonport Christmas Festival, held the second weekend in December, which celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2005.Geography
Cottonport is located at 30°59′18"N 92°3′11"W (30.988465, -92.053049).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all of it land.
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 2,316 people, 770 households, and 549 families residing in the town. 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 1,174.5 people per square mile (453.9/km²). There were 840 housing units at an average density of 426.0 per square mile (164.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 48.32% White, 49.65% African American, 0.73% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.30% 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 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.
There were 770 households out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% 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, 27.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the town the population was spread out with 32.3% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 71.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 64.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $18,973, and the median income for a family was $21,888. Males had a median income of $21,597 versus $18,542 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 town was $9,507. About 34.5% of families and 40.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 54.7% of those under age 18 and 27.3% of those age 65 or over.