91-588: Mermentau is a village in Acadia Parish , Louisiana , United States. The population was 661 at the 2010 census . It is part of the Crowley Micropolitan Statistical Area . In the last quarter of the 18th century, there was an Atakapa chief named Nementou . On April 16, 1784, he sold land on Bayou Plaquemine Brule to Antoin Blanc for $ 100. Nementou is later mentioned as chief of a village on
182-518: A dry goods store. Maignaud operated the river ferry for some 40 years, was postmaster for 17 years, and eventually owned a store, hotel, sawmill, and rice mill. Timber from the Mermentau area provided much of the building material and fencing used by the prairie settlers. The lumber was hauled by oxcart to places as far away as Opelousas . On May 18, 1872, the Opelousas Courier reported: "For
273-641: A large presence in Lafayette have included or currently include Albertsons , Amazon , Brookshire Grocery Company , CGI , First Horizon Bank , JP Morgan Chase , LUSFiber , the Ochsner Health System , Petroleum Helicopters International , Perficient , and Rouses Markets . Among these corporations, the Tennessee -based First Horizon Bank absorbed IberiaBank (a former Louisiana-based banking institution) in 2020. Other notable corporations stimulating
364-532: A large presence in the Lafayette area have included Amazon , Brookshire Grocery Company , CGI , JP Morgan Chase , Ochsner Health System , Petroleum Helicopters International , and Rouses Markets . Lafayette is home to a diverse population from Louisiana Creole and Cajun backgrounds. In 2014, Lafayette was named the "Happiest City in America.” The city and region's cultural icons include Alexandre Mouton House , Brandt House , Charles H. Mouton House ,
455-546: A loss of 19 percent of the historical wetlands in the basin. As of the census of 2000, there were 721 people, 277 households, and 204 families residing in the village. The population density was 337.9 inhabitants per square mile (130.5/km). There were 344 housing units at an average density of 161.2 per square mile (62.2/km). The racial makeup of the village was 85.99% White , 12.48% African American , 0.42% Native American , 0.42% from other races , and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.08% of
546-455: A mercantile business in 1859 and later became one of Acadia Parish 's leading merchants. He was also a cotton and rice farmer and built what may have been the first cotton gin in the parish in 1860. A sawmill was also built at the town about that time. The Mermentau post office was established on September 2, 1859. Victorin Maignaud, another native of France, came to Mermentau in 1866 and opened
637-502: A resolution calling for another charter commission to look at amendments to the charter and, if necessary, deconsolidation. The Lafayette Parish Council did not agree to the charter commission proposal. Public works and other services, such as land use and plat review, are operated by the Lafayette Consolidated Government to serve the city of Lafayette and unincorporated areas of Lafayette Parish, and by contract some of
728-641: A river with the same name. Eventually, through a clerical error, Nementou became Mementou and this was then corrupted into Mermentau through confusion with the French word mer , which means "sea". The Mermentau area was once reputedly a refuge for smugglers. It was a crossing point for brave travelers on the Old Spanish Trail, but had such a bad reputation that until the Louisiana Purchase no one would go there to see how many people there were. John Landreth
819-625: A round-trip ticket. Mermentau achieved legal village status on November 11, 1899. Today, arrow points can be found here and there at the places where the Atakapa Indians once lived. Mermentau is especially known for where Captain James Campbell, pirate Jean Laffite 's most trusted lieutenant, stashed $ 9,000 in gold coins. Mermentau is located at 30°11′16″N 92°34′58″W / 30.18778°N 92.58278°W / 30.18778; -92.58278 (30.187845, -92.582786). According to
910-538: A small draught of water and rob and plunder without distinction every vessel of every nation they meet and are able to conquer and put to death every soul they find on board without respect of persons age or sex and then their unlawful plunder they carry all through the country and sell at a very low rate and find plenty of purchasers." During the Civil War and the years immediately after it there were widespread reports of bushwhackers, robbers, and other fugitives hiding in
1001-501: Is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana . At the 2020 U.S. census , the population was 57,576. The parish seat and the most populous municipality is Crowley . The parish was founded from parts of St. Landry Parish in 1886, and later an election was held to determine the parish seat, ending when Crowley beat Rayne and Prairie Hayes. Acadia Parish is included in the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area . The name of
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#17333508318551092-599: Is a non-profit online news organization that has published since 2017. Licensing more than 22 FM and AM radio stations in its metropolitan area, Lafayette includes Valcour Records and ML1 Records in its metropolis. Major television stations include KATC 3 ( ABC ), KLFY-TV ( CBS ), KLAF-LD ( NBC ), KADN-TV ( Fox ), and KLPB-TV ( PBS ). Other major stations serving the Lafayette area include Alexandria 's KALB-TV (CBS and NBC), Baton Rouge's WBRZ (ABC), WAFB (CBS), WGMB-TV (Fox), WVLA-TV (NBC), and Lake Charles' KPLC-TV (NBC). According to Nielsen Media Research ,
1183-814: Is also home for the only two Cajun themed restaurants named Prejeans . (Located in Carencro and Broussard .) Lafayette is home to the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns , the athletic teams of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Between 1995 and 2005, Lafayette was home to the Louisiana IceGators ECHL hockey team. In 2009, the IceGators returned as a member of the Southern Professional Hockey League until 2016. Also from 2009 to 2012, Lafayette
1274-689: Is coterminous with Lafayette Parish. Lafayette is home to a regional office of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality , and the headquarters of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana , the state agency that oversees preservation and documentation of Louisiana French for tourism, economic development, culture, education, and the development of international relations with other Francophone regions and countries. The city of Lafayette
1365-412: Is described as humid subtropical using Köppen climate classification . It has year-round precipitation, especially during summertime. Lafayette's highest temperature was 110 °F (43 °C) on August 27, 2023; it has hot, moist summers and warm, damp winters. Attakapa Native Americans were originally the primary residents of the Lafayette area before French colonization , concentrated along
1456-488: Is higher and not made of wetlands like much of the surrounding areas to the south and west of Lafayette. Lafayette does not suffer significant flooding problems, outside of local flash flooding. Lafayette has developed on both sides of the Vermilion River . Other significant waterways in the city are Isaac Verot Coulee, Coulee Mine, Coulee des Poches, and Coulee Ile des Cannes, which are natural drainage canals that lead to
1547-737: Is home to multiple sports venues: Blackham Coliseum , Cajundome , Cajun Field (now Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium) , Earl K. Long Gymnasium , Evangeline Downs , and Planet Ice Skating and Hockey Arena . Lafayette was home to minor-league baseball teams in various seasons from 1907 to 2000. Lafayette was an affiliate of the St. Louis Browns 1936–1941, Chicago Cubs (1955–1957) and San Francisco Giants (1975–1976). The Lafayette Browns (1907), Lafayette Hubs (1920), Lafayette White Sox (1934–1942), Lafayette Bulls (1948–1953), Lafayette Oilers (1954–1957), Lafayette Drillers (1975–1976) and Bayou Bullfrogs (1998–2000) all played in Lafayette. The teams were members of
1638-596: Is primarily served by the Lafayette Police Department , though the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office , Lafayette City Marshal , and University of Louisiana Police Department maintain jurisdiction throughout the city and surrounding area. Following nationwide COVID-19 trends from 2019 to 2020, Lafayette has experienced a rise in violent crimes per the Federal Bureau of Investigation . In 2020,
1729-599: Is the centerpiece of a communal supper and dance. Acadia Parish is served by Acadia Parish Schools . Acadia Parish is also served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette with five schools: Additionally, Acadia Parish is served by one unaffiliated private school: Acadia Parish is served by two institutions of higher education: Acadia Parish Library operates branches in the parish. C Company 3-156TH Infantry Battalion resides in Crowley, Louisiana. As part of
1820-423: Is the most populous city in and parish seat of Lafayette Parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana , located along the Vermilion River . It is Louisiana's fourth-most populous city with a 2020 census population of 121,374; the consolidated city-parish's population was 241,753 in 2020. The Lafayette metropolitan area was Louisiana's third largest metropolitan statistical area with a population of 478,384 at
1911-403: The 1840 census and was promptly nicknamed "The Hub City." The city and parish of Lafayette are also known as the "Heart of Acadiana." As a result of its growth, the city and region have become major centers for the technology industry ; Lafayette also became a major center for health care and social services , aerospace , banking and retail . Notable corporations with headquarters or
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#17333508318552002-492: The 2020 United States census , there were 57,576 people, 22,236 households, and 15,519 families residing in the parish. At the 2010 United States census , 61,773 people were residing in the parish, and 58,861 people at the 2000 United States census . In 2019, the American Community Survey estimated 62,045 people lived in the parish. According to the 2019 American Community Survey, the racial and ethnic makeup of
2093-696: The 256th IBCT , this unit deployed to Iraq twice, 2004-5 and 2010. Historically, along with the rest of Louisiana , Acadia Parish strongly supported the Democratic Party , with support waning throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Following Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election bid, Acadia Parish has voted exclusively for Republican candidates at the presidential level. Geology {{ |titlestyle = background:#ccccff; |title = Presidential elections results }} Lafayette, Louisiana Lafayette ( / ˌ l æ f i ˈ ɛ t , ˌ l ɑː f -/ LA(H) - F -ee- ET , French: [lafajɛt] )
2184-569: The Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist , Daigle House , First United Methodist Church , Holy Rosary Institute , Hope Lodge No. 145 , and Old Lafayette City Hall . Its educational institutions include the University of Louisiana at Lafayette , South Louisiana Community College , and Remington College . Lafayette is named after Marquis de Lafayette . Little is known about early settlements or if
2275-672: The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States . Altogether, the Eastern Orthodox Church , Oriental Orthodox Churches , and non-mainstream Protestantism have constituted a significant minority in contrast to Catholic and Baptist missionary work. In a separate religious study by Sperling's BestPlaces in 2020, Judaism and Islam were tied as the second largest non-Christian religions within Lafayette and its metropolitan area. Jews began immigrating to
2366-465: The Gulf Coast League (1907), Louisiana State League (1920), Evangeline League (1934–1942, 1948–1957), Texas League (1975–1976) and Texas-Louisiana League (1998–2000). Lafayette teams played at Parkdale Park (1934–1942), Clark Field (1945–1957, 1975–1976) and Tigue Moore Field (1998–2000). In addition, the sport of trampoline developed in Lafayette. Jeff Hennessy 's gymnastics program at
2457-651: The Gulf Coast of the United States . It was part of the seabed during the earlier Quaternary period . During this time, the Mississippi River cut a 325-foot-deep (99 m) valley between what is now Lafayette and Baton Rouge. This valley was filled and is now the Atchafalaya Basin . The city is located on the western rim of this valley. The Lafayette area is part of the southwestern Louisiana Prairie Terrace; it
2548-681: The International Rice Festival in Crowley, Frog Festival in Rayne, and Buggy Festival in Church Point. Cajun food and music , both specialties of the local population, feature prominently in these festivals. Several communities in Acadia Parish celebrate the tradition of Courir de Mardi Gras . Disguised with masks and costumes, Cajuns travel through their rural neighborhoods, making merry while begging for gumbo ingredients. The gumbo
2639-544: The Latin Church 's Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana . The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana was founded in 1918 and its see is the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist . Within the local Protestant traditions, Baptists have been the primary historic Protestant body affiliated with; the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and Progressive National Baptist Convention have been
2730-719: The Seven Years' War . They intermarried with other settlers, forming what became known as Cajun culture, which maintained use of the French language and adherence to the Roman Catholic Church . Jean Mouton, an Acadian settler, donated land to the Roman Church for construction of a small Catholic chapel at this site. In 1824, this area was selected for the Lafayette Parish seat and was named Vermilionville, for its location on
2821-798: The United States Census Bureau , the village has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 km), of which 2.1 square miles (5.5 km) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.4 km) (7.39%) is water. Situated along the Mermentau River , Mermentau supplies freshwater for the Mermentau Basin . The basin contains about 450,000 acres (1,820 km) of wetlands, consisting of 190,000 acres (770 km) of fresh marsh, 135,000 acres (546 km) of intermediate marsh, and 101,000 acres (409 km) of brackish marsh . A total of 104,380 acres (422 km) of marsh has converted to open water since 1932,
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2912-548: The University of Louisiana at Lafayette popularized the sport and produced more world champions — including his daughter, Leigh Hennessy — than any other location. Jeff Hennessy was also instrumental in getting trampoline into the Olympic Games, and several athletes from Trampoline & Tumbling Express in Lafayette have represented the United States at the Olympics. Lafayette has a consolidated city–parish government, known as
3003-465: The University of Louisiana at Lafayette , WHC, Inc., Walmart , Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center , Schlumberger , and Stuller, Inc. The University of Louisiana System 's other institutions and its Lafayette campus have contributed to a $ 10.9 billion impact on the state's economy. As one of the primary employers in Lafayette, the local university has made a statewide impact of $ 379 million in 2015. Prominent corporations with headquarters or
3094-508: The 1860s. In 1871, Father Joseph Anthonioz had begun to gather lumber to build a chapel there, but it was never finished. The first church was built in 1882, next to the Maignaud Cemetery on what is now Hwy. 90 . It burned down in 1886. In 1891, a temporary chapel was built at another location. Property for the church in its present location was donated in 1889 by Jean Castex and Mrs. Marie U. Duhon, widow of Aurelien Duhon. A larger church
3185-633: The 1890s, the 96-ton Olive operated as a popular passenger and freight hauler on the Mermentau River, making round trips every other day from Mermentau to Lake Arthur . People from Crowley and elsewhere would take the train to Mermentau, then board the Olive for a weekend trip to Lake Arthur. The boat was described as "a splendid sternwheel packet". The Louisiana Press Association members and their wives, meeting in Crowley in 1894, were entertained on one such excursion. Fares were 50 cents one-way or 75 cents for
3276-571: The 1940s, Lafayette became a center of the oil and natural gas industry in Louisiana. In addition, the city and its metropolitan area became major centers for technology , health care and social services , aerospace , banking and retail from the latter 20th- and early 21st centuries. As of 2021, the consolidated city–parish's top employers have been the Lafayette Parish School System , Lafayette General Health, Wood Group Production Services, Lafayette Consolidated Government,
3367-403: The 2020 census. The Acadiana region containing Lafayette is the largest population and economic corridor between Houston , Texas and New Orleans . Originally established as Vermilionville in the 1820s and incorporated in 1836, Lafayette developed as an agricultural community until the introduction of retail and entertainment centers, and the discovery of oil in the area in the 1940s. Since
3458-479: The Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist. Near these structures, Chase and Doubletree have been the area's tallest buildings at 15 and 16 stories. With the announcement of the latest addition to the city in over 40 years, two high-rise towers were planned and would stand 4 stories higher. In October 2021, it was announced only one high-rise tower would be constructed citing lack of interest in condominiums within
3549-552: The French-speaking inhabitants to France. From there, some joined others who had migrated directly to the French colony of La Louisiane (Louisiana) in what was known as the Great Upheaval . (see Cajuns ). The parish was formed from the southwestern portion of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana . On May 19, 1886, a bill was introduced in the Louisiana state house entitled "An act to create the parish of Nicholls, and to provide for
3640-414: The Lafayette Consolidated Government; parish voters agreed to consolidation of the city and parish governments in 1996. Lafayette's chief executive was initially called the city-parish president, but is now known as the mayor-president for the Lafayette Consolidated Government. Republican Monique Blanco-Boulet was elected to this office most recently. The consolidation of the city and parish has been
3731-428: The Mermentau woods and tales of hidden treasures in the area. According to one of the stories, a man named Frank Quebedeaux once found an iron pot filled with coins. The cache had been hidden between four copal trees that had grown close together. One of the earliest known settlers was John Webb, an English seaman who came in 1827. It is said that Webb was a member of the crew of Admiral Horatio Nelson 's flagship at
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3822-468: The United States . During 2015, the Lafayette metropolitan area also overtook the Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan area by population, becoming Louisiana's third largest metropolitan region. The city of Lafayette is located at 30°13′N 92°2′W / 30.217°N 92.033°W / 30.217; -92.033 (30.2139, −92.0294), in southern Louisiana's Acadiana region on
3913-462: The Vermilion River. Lafayette lies approximately 135 miles (217 km) from New Orleans , 59 miles (95 km) from the state capital of Baton Rouge , 75 miles (121 km) from Lake Charles , and 89 miles (143 km) from Alexandria . The city has an elevation ranging from 36 feet (11.0 m) to 49 feet (15 m) above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau ,
4004-514: The Vermilion River. After the Louisiana Purchase , American settlers began moving into the area and intermarrying among the French, enslaved Africans , and free people of color . Since 1860, Lafayette has grown from 498 to 121,374 residents at the 2020 U.S. census . Following the American Community Survey's 5 year estimates program, the city has continued population growth with an additional 2020 estimate at 126,674 residents. With
4095-507: The area had a different name prior to European colonization . The city was originally founded in 1821 as Vermilionville. The Attakapa Native Americans inhabited this area at the time of the first European encounter. French colonists founded the first European settlement, Petit Manchac , a trading post along the Vermilion River. In the mid-to-late eighteenth century, numerous Acadian refugees settled in this area, after being expelled from Canada after Great Britain defeated France in
4186-520: The area in the 1800s, and one of Louisiana's oldest continuously operated synagogues (Temple Shalom) has been present in the city since 1869. The historic synagogue of Temple Shalom originally functioned as an Orthodox Jewish congregation before joining the Reform Judaism movement. Lafayette's Jewish community has assisted in economic and cultural development of the area since their arrival. Established and occupied as an agricultural community until
4277-423: The area municipalities. Zoning rules apply only within the city and unincorporated areas of Lafayette Parish. Some neighboring municipalities have adopted their own planning and zoning protocols. The suburban and rural cities and towns maintain independent city councils, local executives, police and fire departments, and other public services. The LPSS operates independently of any municipality, and its jurisdiction
4368-495: The area; the project was halted in January 2022 citing further difficulties. The attempted construction of new high-rises within the heart of the city followed efforts to redevelop the downtown area in the 2010s and attract further residents. Alongside high-rise construction projects throughout the downtown area, a 70-unit apartment development began in early 2022 spurring continued interest in urban development. Lafayette's climate
4459-409: The average family size was 3.02. In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males. The median income for a household in the village
4550-450: The city and metropolitan economies have been Lowe's , Costco , and various national retail and department stores in the Mall of Acadiana . By December 2023, Topgolf opened a venue in Lafayette. Ranking as one of the best places to retire in Louisiana according to Forbes in 2018, Lafayette was also ranked one of the best places for businesses and careers in 2019; according to Forbes , it
4641-523: The city and parish consolidated; the governments of the city and parish were merged, though five other incorporated municipalities continued to operate with their own municipal governments and departments. Since the beginning of the 21st century, a committee proposed the deconsolidation of the city and parish. In 2015, the city of Lafayette gained international attention for a mass shooting and murder-suicide at Grand 16 Theater ; this mass shooting spurred further discussion and debate on gun control in
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#17333508318554732-609: The city and region's historically Black or African American Baptist denominations, though the Church of God in Christ has also been a historically prominent African American Protestant body. Mormons , Lutherans , and Presbyterians have also maintained minority presences within the Lafayette municipal and metropolitan communities. Christians of other traditions including the Jehovah's Witnesses and united and uniting churches have been present in
4823-520: The city experienced 712 violent crimes up from 664 in 2019; according to a professor of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, violent crime was decreasing prior to the pandemic. In 2018 the city experienced 9 homicides, and 17 in 2020; for comparison, there were 195 homicides in New Orleans in 2020, and 100 in Baton Rouge. Altogether, Lafayette ranked as the 20th safest city overall in Louisiana, and
4914-486: The city has a total area of 55.65 square miles (144.1 km ), of which 55.57 square miles (143.9 km ) is land and 0.08 sq mi (0.21 km ) (0.19 percent) is covered by water. The city of Lafayette's architecture is diverse, with a collection of more than eight downtown structures listed within the National Register of Historic Places . Downtown Lafayette landmarks include Old Lafayette City Hall and
5005-465: The city proper's geographic foothold with exception to its northern neighborhoods. More than 34% of its Hispanic and Latino American population lived in the central-west portion of the city, and Black and African Americans primarily dominated the northern half of Lafayette city proper. Its Asian American community was dispersed throughout the whole city alongside multiracial Americans, and people of other races and ethnicities primarily lived near downtown or
5096-424: The city's border with Carencro . Having historic growth from the 20th and 21st centuries attributed primarily to the oil and gas industry, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette , and Acadiana tourism, an estimated 3.8 percent of the city's population was foreign-born from 2014 to 2019; of the foreign-born population, 33.6 percent were naturalized U.S. citizens. Altogether English , French , and Spanish were
5187-471: The city's metropolitan area since the 20th century. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the oldest nontrinitarian Christian denomination in Lafayette, and has one church in the city limits; the closest LDS churches outside of Lafayette are in New Iberia and Opelousas . There has been one Antiochian Orthodox jurisdiction operating since 2004; there is also a Coptic Orthodox mission under
5278-507: The city. The area's LGBT population have described Acadiana as "welcoming," though some members of the community in the 1970s declined to be photographed at public and private LGBT events. While regarded as welcoming, Lafayette's government was once under the Human Rights Campaign Foundation 's focus regarding non-discrimination in city employment; a local government spokesperson responded with reports of no complaints from
5369-411: The creation of the parish, with 2,516 votes for and 1,521 votes against the creation. The population of the new parish was from 10,000 to 12,000. Acadia Parish population in 1890 was 13,231. After a close election held on March 1, 1887, Crowley was chosen as the parish seat , gathering 698 votes to Rayne's and Prairie Hayes' 560 and 519, respectively. The election also determined the first officers in
5460-438: The discovery of oil, the city and parish have had the highest number of workers in the oil and natural gas industry in Louisiana as of 2018. With the issuance of a bond ordinance for a series of roads connecting nearby settlements; the establishment of the University of Louisiana System 's Lafayette campus; and the continued diversification of its economy, Lafayette and its metropolitan area have experienced population growth since
5551-667: The diverse cultures of Lafayette. Notable cultural gatherings have included the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles , Festival International de Louisiane , Boudin Cookoff and Bacon Fest, the Cajun Heartland State Fair, and Le Festival de Mardi Gras à Lafayette . Residents also celebrate their cultural identities through visiting Acadian Village or Vermilionville Historic Village . Highly regarded for its diverse food and restaurant culture, Lafayette has been regarded as having
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#17333508318555642-621: The early 20th century. After the American Civil War , most of the labor was done by freedmen , who worked as sharecroppers . From the 1930s, mechanization of agriculture began to reduce the need for farm workers. By 1898, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette was established in the city as the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute. It opened in 1901, and changed its name to the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1960. The university's current name
5733-552: The establishment of Filipino communities along the coast of Louisiana (primarily in the Greater New Orleans area) up to established communities in the Acadiana region as of 2013. The city and area's Hispanic and Latino American population have existed since Spanish colonization of Louisiana . According to 2021 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau , its non-Hispanic or Latino white population have been prevalent throughout
5824-545: The famous Battle of Trafalgar (Oct. l, 1805) in which the British defeated French and Spanish fleets but during which Nelson was killed. Webb lived in an area that came to be known as Webb's Cove, near the junction of the Mermentau River and Bayou Queue de Tortue . Cornelius Duson McNaughton, who was running from the law in Quebec , joined Webb there about 1837. Jean Castex, a native of France, came to Mermentau around 1856. He opened
5915-823: The fourth-most restaurants per capita in Louisiana since 2015. Home to the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and Conservatory of Music, Chorale Acadienne, Lafayette Ballet Theatre and Dance Conservatory, the Lafayette Concert Band, and Performing Arts Society of Acadiana; as well as the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum , Acadiana Center for the Arts and Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette has hosted Tyler Perry 's Madea's Farewell play in 2019. The 2018 television film , The Christmas Contract , set in Lafayette, features many Cajun Christmas customs. Lafayette
6006-423: The largest collective Christian group. Among Protestant Christians, the largest were non-denominational Christians with 26,860 adherents; Southern Baptists with 22,324; Progressive National Baptists with 19,324; United Methodists with 8,401; and Assemblies of God USA with 6,704 adherents. Owing in part to Spanish and French colonialism and missionary work , Christians have historically affiliated with
6097-475: The last two weeks the streets of our town have been almost daily crowded with carts and wagons loaded with pieux, boards, and shingles coming from Pointe-aux-Loups and Mermento (sic). Never has there been such a crowd at one time, and so successively we counted eleven ox-wagons in one expedition in one day this week. Eight feet pieux are worth $ 12 per 100; six feet pieux, $ 6, and shingles, $ 6 per 1,000." Jesuit priests from Grand Coteau began to visit Mermentau in
6188-546: The local LGBT community. In 2023, the community celebrated the second annual Pride Acadiana. In common with Louisiana's religious demographic, Lafayette and its metropolitan area are predominantly religious, dominated by Christianity . According to the Association of Religion Data Archives in 2020, the Catholic Church was the single largest Christian denomination with a reported 212,013 adherents, and Protestants were
6279-433: The median income stood at $ 34,588. The city had an employment rate of 60.4 percent, up from the state's 55.4 percent from 2014 to 2019. While in the predominantly conservative southern U.S. , Lafayette has maintained a substantial lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community since at least 1969, when some members of the Mystic Krewe of Apollo, a gay cultural, social, and service organization in New Orleans, arrived in
6370-454: The migration and population growth of European , African , and multiracial Americans since early settlement, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city has been predominantly non-Hispanic or Latino white , Black or African American, multiracial, and Asian . French , German , English , American , Irish , and Italian were the largest European ancestry groups among the non-Hispanic or Latino white population. Asian settlers arrived during
6461-409: The most spoken languages at home among the native and foreign-born populations. In 2022, the city's foreign-born population grew to 5.8%. Poverty remaining an issue in the city with an estimated 18.6 percent at or below the national poverty threshold in 2019, the median income for a family was $ 54,139 in 2020 and Lafayettiens had a mean household income of $ 79,216; among non-family households,
6552-470: The organization thereof." The title was later changed to read: "An act to create the parish of Acadia." Father Joseph Anthonioz, the first pastor of the Catholic Church at Rayne , is credited with having suggested the name, Acadia Parish. The bill passed the house on June 11, the senate on June 28, and was approved by Governor Samuel D. McEnery on June 30. On October 6, an election was held to affirm
6643-625: The parish is derived from the former French colony of Acadia in Canada (which consisted of the modern provinces of Nova Scotia , Prince Edward Island , New Brunswick , and much of Maine ). After Britain defeated France in the Seven Years War, they took control of their North American colonies east of the Mississippi River. They required ethnic French Acadians to take a loyalty oath and never got over their suspicions of them. They deported many of
6734-420: The parish spoke a language other than English at home. There were 22,236 households spread among 26,435 housing units. There was a home-ownership rate of 71.1% with an average of 3.31 people per household; an estimated 32% of the population living in the parish were never married, and 26.2% of households had children under the age of 18 living in them. The median gross rent was $ 662, and the median household value
6825-514: The parish was 77.4% non-Hispanic white , 17.4% Black and African American , 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native , 0.1% Asian alone , 0.3% some other race, 2.8% two or more races , and 2.6% Hispanic and Latin American of any race. In 2010, 79.5% were White American , 18.1% Black and African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% some other race, and 1.3% of two or more races; 1.7% were Hispanic or Latin American of any race. Among
6916-515: The parish: Elridge W. Lyons, first sheriff of Acadia; and R. T. Clark, first clerk of court. The first courthouse was constructed in Crowley and completed on June 30, 1888. It continued to be used until May 1, 1902, when it was destroyed to make way for the second building. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the parish has a total area of 657 square miles (1,700 km ), of which 655 sq mi (1,700 km ) are land and 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km ) (0.4%) are covered by water. As of
7007-464: The population in 2019, 73.8% were aged 18 and older, and 14.9% aged 65 and older; 7.0% were aged 5 and under. The median age was 36.7, and 27.4% were of French heritage; 9.3% were German, 4.2% English , 4.1% Irish , 0.5% sub-Saharan African , 0.4% Scottish , 0.1% Norwegian , and 0.1% Polish in ancestry. Among the population in 2010, 43.7% were of French , French Canadian or Cajun , 10.8% American , and 8.0% German ancestry. Approximately 10% of
7098-407: The population. There were 277 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and
7189-403: The rail line. Capt. George W. Caldwell began carrying freight on the Mermentau about 1890, eventually owning a fleet of small boats and 24 barges. The barges hauled rice, oil, cattle, cotton, wood, and general freight. Capt Caldwell also operated a commissary on the river front and issued metal tokens in denominations of 5,10, 25 and 50 cents and $ 1. These became known as "Mermentau Money". During
7280-489: The river; in 1836, the Louisiana State Legislature approved its incorporation. The area was initially developed by Europeans for agriculture, primarily sugar plantations , which depended on the labor of numerous enslaved Africans and African Americans . They made up a large percentage of the antebellum population. According to U.S. census data in 1830, some 41 percent of the population of Lafayette Parish
7371-586: The safest of Louisiana's four largest municipalities in 2021. Lafayette's major daily newspaper is The Daily Advertiser , owned by Gannett (publishers of USA Today ). Established in 1865 as the Weekly Advertiser , it purchased the local alternative paper, The Times of Acadiana in 1998. Other prominent newspapers in the Lafayette area include Acadiana Profile , Baton Rouge-based The Advocate and its local paper The Acadiana Advocate , The Independent , and UL-based The Vermilion . The Current
7462-410: The subject of continuous public debate over the years. In 2011, a charter commission recommended deconsolidation, though parish voters rejected the recommendation. In 2018, voters separated the single city–parish council into a city council to represent the city of Lafayette and a parish council to represent Lafayette Parish. The mayor-president is still elected parishwide. In 2021, the city council passed
7553-696: Was #25 in the cost of doing business, #200 in job growth, and #175 in education nationwide. Per U.S. News & World Report , its cost of living has contributed to it being ranked as the second best place to live in Louisiana. Located in Acadiana , Lafayette is a diverse city with a large and growing metropolitan population as of 2015. The Lafayette metropolitan area has a large Louisiana Creole , Cajun , and substantial foreign-born population ; an estimated 14,676 Lafayettiens were foreign-born residents in 2019. Additionally, more than 36% of foreigners came from Asia from 2014 to 2019. Many annual events celebrate
7644-433: Was $ 118,000. The median monthly cost with a mortgage was $ 1,083, and $ 312 without a mortgage. An estimated 1,120 businesses operated in the parish, and the median household income was $ 43,396; the mean income was $ 61,465. The parish had a 52.6% employment rate, and 24.2% of the total population lived at or below the poverty line in 2019. Many festivals and cultural celebrations are held annually in Acadia Parish, including
7735-471: Was $ 26,786, and the median income for a family was $ 31,250. Males had a median income of $ 32,917 versus $ 13,977 for females. The per capita income for the village was $ 11,408. About 25.0% of families and 26.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 31.3% of those under age 18 and 39.3% of those age 65 or over. Acadia Parish School Board serves Mermentau. Acadia Parish, Louisiana Acadia Parish (French: Paroisse de l'Acadie )
7826-452: Was a surveyor who was sent from Washington, D.C., in 1818 to look for timber in Acadiana that could be harvested for the use of building Navy ships. He kept a journal and had this to say: "...these places, particularly the Mermentau and Calcasieu are the harbours and Dens of the most abandoned wretches of the human race... smugglers and Pirates who go about the coast of the Gulph (sic) of vessels of
7917-455: Was built there, but in August 1900 it was blown off its foundation by a storm and damaged beyond use. It was finally rebuilt in 1908. The Louisiana Western Railroad reached Mermentau in 1880. In February of that year only 4 miles (6 km) of roadbed remained to be graded between Lafayette and Mermentau. Some 150 convicts were at work on the stretch near Bayou Blanc. By the end of July the road
8008-516: Was chosen in 1999. In the 1940s, after oil was discovered in the parish, the petroleum and natural gas industries expanded to dominate the economy. By 2018, Lafayette had the highest number of oil and natural gas industry workers in the state. Since the latter half of the 20th century, Lafayette has hosted the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles , and was candidate as site for the New Orleans Pelicans NBA G League team in 2017. In 1996,
8099-474: Was completed from Mermentau westward to the Texas line. By the end of August 1880, the railroad line from New Orleans to Houston was open for freight business. Passenger trains with sleepers attached were running a regular schedule from New Orleans to Houston by the end of September. The trains, however, did not solve all transportation problems for the area. Produce, lumber, and cattle had to be transported to
8190-602: Was enslaved. By 1860, the enslaved population had increased to 49.6 percent. Some free people of color lived in Lafayette Parish, as well; they made up 3 percent to a low of 2.4 percent between 1830 and 1860. In 1884, Vermilionville was renamed for General Lafayette , a French aristocrat who had fought with and significantly aided the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War . The city and parish economy continued to be based on agriculture into
8281-836: Was home to the Lafayette Wildcatters of the Southern Indoor Football League . It also became home to the Lafayette Bayou Bulls , a semipro football program started in 2003. The Lafayette SwampCats (1997–1999) and Lafayette Swamp Cats (2000–2004) soccer teams played in the city. The Cajun Soccer Club of the Gulf Coast Premier League was founded in 2013; Louisiana Krewe FC played in the Gulf Coast Premier League before joining USL League Two for its 2022 season. The Lafayette area
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