Natchitoches County

Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, has a population of approximately 37,000 people. The racial composition is roughly 49% White, 41% Black or African American, 3% Hispanic or Latino, and 1% Asian, with other races and multiracial individuals making up the remainder. The median age is around 33.7 years. The median household income is approximately $32,000, and about 31% of the population lives below the poverty line. The parish covers an area of about 1,299 square miles.

Natchitoches County, LA, has a median home value of around $140,000. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $650 per month. Homeownership rate stands at about 58%, with the median household income being roughly $31,000. Housing inventory includes historic homes, reflecting the area’s rich cultural heritage. Over the past year, home values have increased by about 3%. The area also offers various rental options catering to students at Northwestern State University.

Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, not Natchitoches County, holds elections for various local positions, including school board members, sheriff, and parish council seats. In the 2020 election, the parish had approximately 24,000 registered voters.

Key positions and their 2020 candidates included:

• Sheriff: Victor Jones Jr. (incumbent, but did not seek re-election), Stuart Wright (winner)
• Parish President: Rick Nowlin, John Richmond (winner)
• School Board: Multiple districts had elections with candidates including incumbents and new challengers.

The next notable local elections are scheduled for October 2023, which will include municipal positions and state elections. For detailed and up-to-date information, it's advisable to consult the Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court's office or the Louisiana Secretary of State's website.

Natchitoches Parish, LA, shows educational attainment statistics that reveal some gaps compared to state and national averages. Approximately 81% of residents aged 25 and over have at least a high school diploma, falling short of the national average of about 88% and the Louisiana state average of 84%. For higher education, around 21% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which again is lower than the national average of roughly 34% and the state average of 24%. These figures indicate that Natchitoches Parish is somewhat less educated compared to broader benchmarks.

Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, has a labor force participation rate of approximately 53.1%, lower than the national average of about 61.7% and Louisiana's state average of around 59.4%. The unemployment rate in Natchitoches Parish stands at roughly 6.9%, compared to the national average of 3.8% and the state average of 6.3%.

Top industries in Natchitoches Parish include educational services, healthcare, and social assistance, employing about 30% of the workforce. This is significantly higher than the national average of 23.1% for these sectors. Manufacturing and retail also play substantial roles, accounting for 13.6% and 11.1% of local employment, respectively. Comparatively, the national averages for manufacturing and retail are 8.5% and 10%, respectively.

In summary, Natchitoches Parish has a higher focus on education and healthcare than the national average, but faces higher unemployment and lower labor force participation rates.

As of the most recent data, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, has a median household income of approximately $29,500. This is significantly lower than both the national median household income, which stands at around $68,700, and the Louisiana state median household income, which is approximately $49,500.

Here is a comparison in table form:

This comparison highlights the economic disparities between Natchitoches Parish, the state of Louisiana, and the national average, suggesting targeted economic development initiatives might benefit the parish.

Natchitoches Parish in Louisiana has witnessed varying crime rates over the years. According to recent data, the overall crime rate in Natchitoches Parish is higher than the national average. The total crime rate is about 3,500 incidents per 100,000 people annually. Property crimes are more prevalent than violent crimes.

These figures reflect a notable need for continued efforts to enhance public safety and community programs aimed at crime reduction.