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Caddo Parish, Louisiana

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Caddo Parish (French: Paroisse de Caddo) (/ˈkædoʊ/) is a parish located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Louisiana. According to the 2020 U.S. census, the parish had a population of 237,848.[1] The parish seat and largest city is Shreveport, which developed along the Red River.[2]

Caddo Parish
Parish
Parish of Caddo
Caddo Parish Courthouse in Shreveport
Caddo Parish Courthouse in Shreveport
Flag of Caddo Parish
Flag
Official seal of Caddo Parish
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Country United States
StateLouisiana
RegionNorth
FoundedJanuary 18, 1838
Named forCaddo Native Americans
Parish seat (and largest city)Shreveport
Incorporated municipalities
11 (total)
  • 1 city, 5 towns, 5 villages
  • (located entirely or partially
    within parish boundaries)
Area
 • Total2,430 km2 (937 sq mi)
 • Land2,280 km2 (879 sq mi)
 • Water150 km2 (58 sq mi)
 • percentage16 km2 (6.2 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total237,848
 • Density98/km2 (250/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code318
Congressional district4th
Websiteofficial website
The Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport located downtown in the former US post office and courthouse

The city of Shreveport is the economic and cultural center for the tri-state region of the Ark-La-Tex containing Caddo Parish. Caddo Parish is included in the Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan statistical area.

History

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In 1838, Caddo Parish was created by territory taken from Natchitoches Parish; the legislature named it for the indigenous Caddo Indians who had lived in the area. Most were forced out during Indian Removal in the 1830s.

With European-American development, the parish became a center of cotton plantations. Planters developed these along the waterways, with clearing and later cultivation and processing by thousands of enslaved African-American laborers. Shreveport, the parish seat, became a center of government, trade and law.

An armory was constructed in Shreveport before the American Civil War. This city served as the state capital after Union forces had seized Baton Rouge. Locals have referred to the armory as "Fort Humbug".

After the Civil War, and particularly after Reconstruction, whites in the parish used violence and intimidation against blacks to suppress Republican voting and re-establish white supremacy. The parishes in northwestern Louisiana had a high rate of violence and lynchings. From 1877 through the early 20th century, there were 48 lynchings of African Americans in Caddo Parish; this was the second-highest total in the state after Lafourche Parish, and nearly twice as high as the lowest parishes among the top six.[3] The victims included Jennie Steers, a domestic servant hanged by a white lynch mob in July 1903, for allegedly poisoning her employer's daughter.[4]

In 1920 the Daughters of the Confederacy, who were memorializing the Civil War, designated the armory as "Fort Turnball". During World War II, the government used it as a mobilization site for men who had been drafted and recruited.

In the early twentieth century, the oil industry developed here, with a concentration of related businesses in Shreveport. Numerous oil wells were constructed across southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana.[5]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 937 square miles (2,430 km2), of which 978 square miles (2,530 km2) is land and 58 square miles (150 km2) (6.2%) is water.[6]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties and parishes

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National protected area

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Communities

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City

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Towns

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Villages

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Unincorporated areas

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Census-designated place

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Other communities

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18405,282—
18508,88468.2%
186012,14036.7%
187021,71478.9%
188026,29621.1%
189031,55520.0%
190044,49941.0%
191058,20030.8%
192083,26543.1%
1930124,67049.7%
1940150,20320.5%
1950176,54717.5%
1960223,85926.8%
1970230,1842.8%
1980252,3589.6%
1990248,253−1.6%
2000252,1611.6%
2010254,9691.1%
2020237,848−6.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2019[11]
Caddo Parish, Louisiana – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the U.S. census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[13] Pop 2010[14] Pop 2020[15] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 131,527 121,969 101,727 52.16% 47.84% 42.77%
Black or African American alone (NH) 111,984 119,697 114,769 44.41% 46.95% 48.25%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 904 976 895 0.36% 0.38% 0.38%
Asian alone (NH) 1,718 2,653 3,179 0.68% 1.04% 1.34%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 65 118 120 0.03% 0.05% 0.05%
Other race alone (NH) 169 246 856 0.07% 0.10% 0.36%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 2,044 3,181 7,921 0.81% 1.25% 3.33%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3,750 6,129 8,381 1.49% 2.40% 3.52%
Total 252,161 254,969 237,848 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

At the publication of the 2020 United States census, there were 237,848 people, 92,589 households, and 56,525 families residing in the parish. At the 2010 U.S. census, there were 254,969 people, 119,502 households, and 68,900 families residing in the parish. According to 2012 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the Caddo Parish population was 257,093. As of 2010, the population density was 286 inhabitants per square mile (110/km2).

At the 2019 American Community Survey, the racial and ethnic makeup of the parish was 49.9% Black or African American, 44.3% non-Hispanic or Latino white, 0.4% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 0.3% some other race, 1.8% two or more races, and 2.9% Hispanic or Latino American of any race.[16] In 2010, the racial makeup of the parish was 49.1% White, 40.0% Black or African American, 1.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races; 5.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latin American. Since the 2020 census,[17] its Black or African American, and non-Hispanic white population have remained the predominant groups though Hispanic or Latino Americans rebounded to comprising 3.52% of the population; multiracial Americans also increased to forming 3.69% of the population. Reflecting nationwide trends of greater diversification since the 2020 U.S. census,[18][19] the Asian American community saw increases among its population as well.

In 2010, there were 119,502 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.20% were married couples living together, 19.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. A total of 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.11. In 2019, there were 92,589 households spread throughout 113,578 housing units; 59.8% of housing units were owner-occupied. The median gross rent was $810.[16] By 2021, the median sales price for a single-family household was $207,000.[20]

At the 2010 census, the parish population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 89.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.90 males. At the 2019 American Community Survey, 76.1% were aged 18 and older, and 6.8% of the population were age 5 and under. The median age was 38.8, though 2020 estimates determined the median age declined to 37.8 with a ratio of 89.9 males per 100 females.[21]

Economy

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LSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport

The economy of the parish is primarily centered in the city of Shreveport, with international corporations including Amazon and Walmart stimulating the economy alongside nationwide chains such as Best Buy, Target, and others.[22] While maintaining these companies in the parish, however, Caddo includes some of the poorest areas in Louisiana by ZIP code. Statistics from 2014 show West Shreveport (71103) was the poorest ZIP code in the state with a per capita income of just $22,267; Queensborough, Shreveport (71109) was the fourth-poorest with $24,966; Caddo Heights/South Highlands (71108) was the fifth-poorest with $25,334; and Rodessa (71069) was the twenty-fourth-poorest with $34,346.[23] In 2020, an estimated 22.9% of the parish population lived at or below the poverty line with 33.9% of its impoverished population being under 18 years of age.[24]

Parishwide, the median household income was $42,003 as of 2020's American Community Survey; families had a median income of $55,719; married-couple families $81,114; and nonfamily households $26,204.[25] Despite the poverty within the parish, however, the Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan statistical area and entire Northwest Louisiana region gained three projects valued at over $750 million in the early 2020s to offset its population and economic decline, and increase recognition.[26]

The largest employers in the region as of 2017 were:[27]

Employer Employees Note
1 Caddo Parish Public Schools (CPPS) 9,416
2 Willis-Knighton Medical Center 6,732
3 University Health 6,372
4 LSU Health Shreveport 2,762
5 City of Shreveport 2,569

Law and government

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As parish seat, Shreveport is the site of the parish courthouse. Caddo Parish comprises the 1st Judicial District. Located downtown on Texas Street, the courthouse contains both civil and criminal courts. The current elected judges are: Ramon Lafitte, Craig O. Marcotte, Michael A. Pitman, Karelia R. Stewart, Robert P. Waddell, Erin Leigh W. Garrett, Katherine C. Dorroh, John Mosely, Jr., Brady O'Callaghan, Ramona Emanuel, Charles G. Tutt, and Roy Brun. The Clerk of Court is Mike Spence. Caddo Parish like all parishes in Louisiana utilizes Justices of the Peace and Constables particularly when civil suits below $5,000 or an eviction has been filed.

Caddo Parish has the highest rate of death penalty convictions in the United States.[28]

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Caddo Parish, Louisiana[29]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 48,021 45.77% 55,110 52.53% 1,781 1.70%
2016 49,006 46.32% 53,483 50.55% 3,315 3.13%
2012 52,459 46.94% 58,042 51.93% 1,264 1.13%
2008 52,228 48.07% 55,536 51.11% 896 0.82%
2004 54,292 50.93% 51,739 48.54% 564 0.53%
2000 46,807 48.94% 47,530 49.70% 1,302 1.36%
1996 38,445 38.69% 55,543 55.89% 5,391 5.42%
1992 42,665 41.55% 47,733 46.49% 12,280 11.96%
1988 54,498 57.73% 39,204 41.53% 700 0.74%
1984 63,429 63.68% 35,727 35.87% 445 0.45%
1980 51,202 57.41% 36,422 40.84% 1,560 1.75%
1976 42,627 57.34% 30,593 41.15% 1,120 1.51%
1972 47,215 71.68% 15,649 23.76% 3,003 4.56%
1968 21,224 31.51% 17,675 26.24% 28,463 42.25%
1964 42,197 80.60% 10,158 19.40% 0 0.00%
1960 25,139 54.29% 11,481 24.80% 9,681 20.91%
1956 23,432 60.32% 10,780 27.75% 4,637 11.94%
1952 27,850 65.68% 14,554 34.32% 0 0.00%
1948 4,777 21.60% 5,985 27.06% 11,355 51.34%
1944 5,885 31.29% 12,896 68.56% 29 0.15%
1940 3,124 15.36% 17,192 84.50% 29 0.14%
1936 1,697 12.25% 12,156 87.72% 4 0.03%
1932 1,309 9.66% 12,159 89.71% 85 0.63%
1928 3,665 34.58% 6,934 65.42% 0 0.00%
1924 1,062 17.73% 4,517 75.41% 411 6.86%
1920 401 8.60% 4,264 91.40% 0 0.00%
1916 151 4.63% 3,109 95.25% 4 0.12%
1912 34 1.55% 1,946 88.45% 220 10.00%

Since the late 20th century, most conservative whites in Louisiana have shifted into the Republican Party. Politics largely follows ethnic patterns, as most African Americans have supported national Democratic candidates since regaining the power to vote and other civil rights under Democratic national administrations. Some urban liberal whites also vote Democratic. Since 1992, Caddo Parish has voted for the Democratic nominee in presidential campaigns except for 2004 when George W. Bush won the parish narrowly over John Kerry. Notably the city of Shreveport is the base for Democratic strength, while surrounding white-majority suburban areas are aligned with the Republican Party.[30]

Education

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The Caddo Parish School Board operates public schools.[31]

The parish also has fourteen private schools as of 2018.[32] It is in the service area of Bossier Parish Community College,[33] though the private Centenary College of Louisiana and LSU's Shreveport campus are also prominent institutions of higher education.

Correction center

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The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections operated the Forcht-Wade Correctional Center in Keithville, an unincorporated section of Caddo Parish.[34] As the state succeeded in reducing the number of prisoners, it closed this facility in July 2012.[35]

The Caddo Correctional Center is a full-service parish jail rated at a capacity of 1,500 beds. Constructed in 1994, this facility was designed to successfully manage a large number of inmates with a minimum of personnel. The Caddo Correctional Center is the largest jail in the Ark-La-Tex and the only "direct supervision" facility in the state.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "QuickFacts: Caddo Parish, Louisiana". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Lynching in America, Third Edition: Supplement by County Archived October 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, p. 6, Equal Justice Initiative, Mobile, AL, 2017
  4. ^ Michael James Pfeifer, Rough Justice: Lynching and American Society, 1874-1947, University of Illinois Press, 2004, p. 198, Footnote #104
  5. ^ Fairclough (1999), pp. 7-8
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  11. ^ "State & Parish QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  12. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  13. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Caddo Parish, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  14. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Caddo Parish, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  15. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Caddo Parish, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Geography Profile: Caddo Parish, Louisiana". data.census.gov. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  17. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  18. ^ "US census: Hispanic and Asian-American driving US population growth". BBC News. August 12, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  19. ^ Chavez, Nicole (August 15, 2021). "Multiracial population grew in almost every county in the US. It doesn't mean racism is over". CNN. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  20. ^ Lahman, Sean. "How hot is the real estate market in Caddo Parish? Home prices rose year over year". The Times. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  21. ^ "2020 ACS Age and Sex Statistics". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  22. ^ "$200M Shreveport Amazon fulfillment center announced". KTBS. May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  23. ^ "The 50 poorest places in Louisiana, by ZIP code". New Orleans Times-Picciune. March 15, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  24. ^ "2020 ACS Annual Poverty Statistics". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  25. ^ "2020 ACS Annual Income Estimates". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  26. ^ Wright, Robert J. (December 22, 2021). "3 Big Reasons the Shreveport, Bossier Economy is About to Explode". News Radio 710 KEEL. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  27. ^ "Leading Employers in Caddo Parish". North Louisiana Economic Partnership. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  28. ^ Rachel Aviv (July 6, 2015). "Revenge Killing, Race and the Death Penalty in a Louisiana Parish". The New Yorker. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  29. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  30. ^ "2004 Presidential General Election Results - Louisiana, Caddo Parish". uselectionatlas.org.
  31. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Caddo Parish, LA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 31, 2022. - Text list
  32. ^ "Caddo Parish, LA Private Schools". Private School Review. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  33. ^ "Our Colleges". Louisiana's Technical and Community Colleges. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  34. ^ "Forcht-Wade Corr. Center Archived 2008-09-15 at the Wayback Machine." Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Accessed September 14, 2008.
  35. ^ "Forcht-Wade Correctional Center Archived 2012-11-02 at the Wayback Machine." (Archive) Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections. Retrieved on October 23, 2012.
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32°35′N 93°53′W / 32.58°N 93.88°W / 32.58; -93.88

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