Founded 1811 Area 2,898 km² Unemployment rate 7.0% (Apr 2015) | Named for Saint Mary Population 53,543 (2013) | |
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Rivers Bayou Teche, Atchafalaya River, Bayou Shaffer Points of interest Cypremort Point State Park, Lake End Park, Amelia Belle Casino, International Petroleum Museum, Wedell‑Williams Aviation and Cypr Destinations | ||
St. Mary Parish (French: Paroisse de Sainte-Marie) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 54,650. The parish seat is Franklin. The parish was created in 1811.
Contents
- Map of St Mary Parish LA USA
- Geography
- Major highways
- Adjacent parishes
- Protected areas
- National protected area
- State protected areas
- Demographics
- Education
- Media
- National Guard
- Cities
- Towns
- Census designated places
- Other unincorporated areas
- Notable people
- References
Map of St Mary Parish, LA, USA
St. Mary Parish comprises the Morgan City, LA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Lafayette-Opelousas-Morgan City, LA Combined Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 1,119 square miles (2,900 km2), of which 555 square miles (1,440 km2) is land and 564 square miles (1,460 km2) (50%) is water. Cypremort Point State Park is located in the parish on Vermilion Bay.
Major highways
Adjacent parishes
Protected areas
The parish has both national and state protected areas within the boarders.
National protected area
State protected areas
Part of the Attakapas Wildlife Management Area is located within St. Mary Parish as well as in St. Martin and Iberia Parishes.
Demographics
As of the census 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.[1]
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.
Education
St. Mary Parish School Board operates local public schools.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has the Chitimacha Day School in the Charenton community of unincorporated St. Mary Parish.
Media
St. Mary Parish has two daily newspapers, the Morgan City Daily Review (circulation under 6,000) and the Franklin Banner-Tribune in Franklin (circulation 3,350).
National Guard
B Company 2-156TH Infantry Battalion of the 256TH IBCT resides in Franklin, Louisiana. This unit has deployed to Iraq twice, 2004-5 and 2010.