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Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana

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Not to be confused with Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.

Jefferson Davis Parish
Parish
Elton Methodist Church in Elton.
Elton Methodist Church in Elton.
Map of Louisiana highlighting Jefferson Davis Parish
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Map of the United States highlighting Louisiana
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°14′33″N 92°40′24″W / 30.2425°N 92.6733°W / 30.2425; -92.6733
Country United States
State Louisiana
FoundedJanuary 1, 1913
Named forJefferson Davis
SeatJennings
Largest cityJennings
Area
 • Total
659 sq mi (1,710 km2)
 • Land651 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Water7.2 sq mi (19 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
32,250
 • Density49/sq mi (19/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd

Jefferson Davis Parish (French: Paroisse de Jefferson Davis) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,250.[1] The parish seat is Jennings.[2] Jefferson Davis Parish is named after the president of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, Jefferson Davis. It is located in southwestern Louisiana and forms a part of the Acadiana region.

History

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Jefferson Davis Parish was one of the last parishes to be organized in the state of Louisiana. It was originally a part of Imperial Calcasieu Parish, which contributed to five other parishes as the population increased in the area. The bill creating Jefferson Davis Parish was passed by the state legislature in 1912 but did not take effect until 1913.[3] Jefferson Davis Parish is part of the large, 22-county Acadiana region of Louisiana, which is influenced by a large Francophone population. It was named after Jefferson Davis, a prominent planter and the President of the Confederate States of America.

The Jennings Oil Field in 1933

The first oil in Louisiana was drilled in 1901 in Evangeline, Acadia Parish, by W. Scott Heywood, who in 1932 was elected to the Louisiana State Senate.[4] The oil field was known as the Jennings Oil Field because Jennings was the nearest railroad stop to the oil field.

The parish was affected by Hurricane Rita in 2005, causing flooding and wind damage.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 660 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 651 square miles (1,690 km2) is land and 7.2 square miles (19 km2) (1.1%) is water.[5]

Jefferson Davis Parish comprises five incorporated towns including Elton, Fenton, Jennings, Lake Arthur, and Welsh. There are also many unincorporated areas that add to the interest and economic structure of the parish including Barnsdall, Buller, China, Coverdale, Edna, Fontenot, Foreman's Hall, Hathaway, Illinois Plant, Lacassine, Lauderdale, Panchoville, Pine Island, Raymond, Roanoke, Silverwood, Thornwell, Topsy, Verret, and Woodlawn. Interstate 10 runs east and west through the center of the parish, providing access to local markets. Additionally, the Union Pacific Railroad is centrally located within the parish and the Mermentau River, which connects to the Intracoastal Waterway and has a channel depth of nine feet, provides access to the Port of Mermentau. The Jennings Airport, with a runway length of 5,000 feet (1,500 m), is capable of landing a small jet and is located next to Interstate 10. Jefferson Davis Parish also attracts sportsmen to the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge.

Adjacent parishes

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Transportation

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Major highways

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Airports

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  • Jennings, (3R7)
  • Welsh
Jennings, USA
Summary
Airport typePublic
LocationJennings, LA
Elevation AMSL23 ft / 7 m
Coordinates30°14′33″N 92°40′24″W / 30.24250°N 92.67333°W / 30.24250; -92.67333
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
08/26 5,000 1,524 Asphalt
13/31 3,598 1,097 Asphalt
17/35 2,000 610 Turf

Communities

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Map of Jefferson Davis Parish, with municipal labels

City

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  • Jennings (parish seat and largest municipality)

Towns

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Village

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Unincorporated areas

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
192018,999—
193019,7654.0%
194024,19122.4%
195026,2988.7%
196029,82513.4%
197029,554−0.9%
198032,1688.8%
199030,722−4.5%
200031,4352.3%
201031,5940.5%
202032,2502.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010[10]
Jefferson Davis Parish racial composition as of 2020[11]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 24,855 77.07%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 5,130 15.91%
Native American 147 0.46%
Asian 100 0.31%
Pacific Islander 4 0.01%
Other/Mixed 1,280 3.97%
Hispanic or Latino 734 2.28%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 32,250 people, 11,726 households, and 8,149 families residing in the parish.

Education

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Jefferson Davis Parish Public Schools operates the schools in the parish.[12]

  • Elton Elementary School (Grades PK-5) (Elton)
  • Elton High School (Grades 6–12) (Elton)
  • Fenton Elementary School (Grades PK-8) (Fenton)
  • Hathaway High School (Grades K-12) (Jennings)
  • Jennings Elementary School (Grades 3–6) (Jennings)
  • Jennings High School (Grades 7–12) (Jennings)
  • Lacassine High School (Grades K-12) (Lacassine)
  • Lake Arthur Elementary School (Grades PK-6) (Lake Arthur)
  • Lake Arthur High School (Grades 7–12) (Lake Arthur)
  • James Ward Elementary School (Grades PK-2) (Jennings)
  • Welsh Elementary School (Grades PK-5) (Welsh)
  • Welsh High School (Grades 8–12) (Welsh)
  • Welsh-Roanoke Jr. High School (Grades 6–8) (Roanoke)

Jeff Davis Parish is served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette which has one school in the parish:

  • Our Lady Immaculate (Grades PK-8) (Jennings)

Jeff Davis Parish is served by one institution of higher education:

National Guard

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C Company 3-156TH Infantry Battalion resides in Jennings, Louisiana. This unit as part of the 256th IBCT deployed twice to Iraq in 2004—5 and 2010.

Notable people

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 11,478 79.94% 2,699 18.80% 181 1.26%
2020 11,423 76.97% 3,208 21.62% 210 1.41%
2016 10,775 75.47% 3,080 21.57% 422 2.96%
2012 10,014 72.91% 3,484 25.37% 236 1.72%
2008 9,278 68.72% 3,923 29.06% 300 2.22%
2004 8,055 61.93% 4,745 36.48% 207 1.59%
2000 6,945 55.36% 5,162 41.14% 439 3.50%
1996 4,311 33.31% 6,897 53.29% 1,735 13.40%
1992 4,513 32.61% 7,022 50.74% 2,303 16.64%
1988 5,851 45.74% 6,799 53.15% 141 1.10%
1984 8,296 57.36% 5,962 41.22% 206 1.42%
1980 5,667 46.73% 6,140 50.63% 320 2.64%
1976 3,603 35.06% 6,376 62.04% 299 2.91%
1972 5,903 65.96% 2,551 28.51% 495 5.53%
1968 2,213 22.70% 2,641 27.08% 4,897 50.22%
1964 3,673 42.52% 4,966 57.48% 0 0.00%
1960 2,251 25.84% 5,904 67.77% 557 6.39%
1956 4,170 62.93% 2,346 35.41% 110 1.66%
1952 3,447 49.03% 3,584 50.97% 0 0.00%
1948 793 21.78% 1,717 47.16% 1,131 31.06%
1944 1,156 33.17% 2,329 66.83% 0 0.00%
1940 1,054 29.40% 2,531 70.60% 0 0.00%
1936 608 19.15% 2,567 80.85% 0 0.00%
1932 512 18.13% 2,308 81.73% 4 0.14%
1928 1,120 39.67% 1,703 60.33% 0 0.00%
1924 883 47.58% 973 52.42% 0 0.00%
1920 895 55.14% 728 44.86% 0 0.00%
1916 200 22.91% 656 75.14% 17 1.95%

For most of the 20th Century, Jeff Davis was a Democratic-leaning parish, voting Republican only in landslide elections such as 1972 and 1984. However, like other Acadian parishes with large Cajun populations, Jeff Davis turned sharply right in the 21st century based on cultural issues and Democrats' discomfort with the oil and gas industry.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gremillion, John Berton Gremillion. "Jefferson Davis Parish". library.mcneese.edu. McNeese State University. Archived from the original on March 27, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  4. ^ "Heywood, Walter Scott". Louisiana Historical Association, A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography. Archived from the original on February 25, 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 19, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  11. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  12. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jefferson Davis Parish, LA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 23, 2023. - Text list
  13. ^ "Our Colleges". Louisiana's Technical and Community Colleges. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  15. ^ Martin, Jonathan (November 16, 2019). "Why the Louisiana Governor's Race Is So Close". The New York Times.
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Geology

Hydrology

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