History

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

Geography

The parish has a total area of 662 square miles (1,714.6 km²), of which 624 square miles (1,616.2 km²) is land and 39 square miles (101.0 km²) (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

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	9,402		—
1920	9,856		4.8%
1930	11,668		18.4%
1940	10,959		−6.1%
1950	12,717		16.0%
1960	13,011		2.3%
1970	13,295		2.2%
1980	17,004		27.9%
1990	13,662		−19.7%
2000	14,282		4.5%
2010	14,890		4.3%
Est. 2012	14,927		0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[2] 2012 Estimate[3]

As of the census^[4] 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.

Communities

Towns

• Jena
• Olla
• Trout
• Tullos
• Urania

Unincorporated places

• Midway
• Summerville

Notable natives and residents

• Thomas "Bud" Brady, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1976 to 1988
• Mike Francis, former Louisiana Republican state chairman
• Henry E. Hardtner, lumberman known as "Louisiana's first conservationist", member of both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature, La Salle Parish police juror, founder of Urania
• Speedy O. Long, state senator, U.S. representative, district attorney

National Guard

The 1087TH Transportation Company of the 165TH CSS (combat service support) Battalion of the 139TH RSG (regional support group) resides in Jena, Louisiana.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in La Salle Parish, Louisiana