Livonia, Louisiana

Early history

The area of present-day Livonia has been occupied by several American Indian tribes, including Chitimacha, Houma, Tunica-Biloxi, Attakapas, and Coushatta and the site of the conical Livonia Mound. With a base of 165 feet and nearly 31 (30.7) feet tall, is the tallest of 10 remaining Indian burial mounds in Pointe Coupee Parish. Dated to the Coles Creek archaeological culture (400AD-1100AD) period, the mound sits between La 77 and La 78, 150 feet from Bayou Grosse Tête. A second low-rise unnamed mound (destroyed by the mid-1900s) is located 200 feet southeast and a third was reportedly south of these on the water's edge.

Colonial history

France ruled the Livonia area as part of Louisiana from 1699 to 1763, when the area was ceded to Spain. Spain controlled the area until 1800 when Napoleon took control of Louisiana for France. Some French Canadians migrated to Louisiana earlier, but the majority came between 1755 and 1764 after being expelled from Acadia. Some of the French culture remains in Livonia, as shown by the 2000 census that revealed 5.6% of the parish spoke French, Cajun French, or Louisiana Creole French. The land was sold to the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

Foundation

The Post office opened 1846 and was named by first postmaster James B. Johnson for his native Livonia, Pennsylvania.

Geography

Livonia is located at 30°33′37″N 91°33′1″W (30.560159, -91.550165).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,339 people, 502 households, and 380 families residing in the town. The population density was 741.3 people per square mile (285.6/km²). There were 545 housing units at an average density of 301.7 per square mile (116.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.04% White, 8.51% African American, 0.15% Asian, and 0.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.

There were 502 households out of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.9% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the town, the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $37,000, and the median income for a family was $42,721. Males had a median income of $36,685 versus $22,036 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,756. About 7.9% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.

Culture

The town is host to the annual Livonia Lions Club Mardi Gras parade which is held the weekend before Mardi Gras Day.

Probably one of Livonia's most famous international tourists was Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, who arrived by train following the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1950.