|
Today's population reflects diversity of past
Central
Louisiana
has become a place for families. Census figures from 2006 indicate that
approximately 53% of the total population is between the ages of 20 and 59.
Only 18% are 60 and over. The age range of 19 and under account for 28% of
the population.
While the age breakouts
vary from parish to parish, most parishes show a higher percentage of their
population being under the age of 50. The median ages range from the late
20's into the mid 30's.
The population still
draws on its founding fathers' ancestry and reflects the racial profiles of
many of today's societies. Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, along with
black and whites call the area home.
New industries, plant
expansions and new federal facilities have helped the area to recover from
what was predicted to be an economic disaster for the area when England Air
Force Base closed in 1992 and 7% of the region's population was transferred
during the military realignment.
Meeting the
employment demands of these new facilities is a strong labor force. The eight
parish area has been experiencing record low unemployment rates during the
past year despite the national economic problems.
Population growth and
low unemployment rates have helped to boost the income level of the area.
Since 1985, the median income has almost doubled in most parishes. Total
personal income has almost doubled as well. These increases are indications
of the area's economic recovery.
Alexandria's per capita income of $26,053
ranks it at 181 in the country, with New
Orleans being the only higher ranked Louisiana MSA
at 131.
The growing
population and strong income base make Central Louisiana
attractive to new businesses and encourages the expansion of our existing
ones.
Today central Louisianians work in several industrial sectors, with the
largest being education, health and social services, followed by retail.
Closely behind retail are construction, manufacturing, public administration
and the arts, entertainment, recreation and hospitality sectors.
Alexandria is also home to an expansion of
Union Tank Car Co. The plant, with its 550 employees, is meeting and
exceeding its production demands deeming itself the most efficient railcar
manufacturer in the south.
Central Louisiana
Population Snapshot
|
Population
Snapshot 1970-2006
|
|
|
Allen
|
Avoy.
|
Evang.
|
Grant
|
LaSalle
|
Natch.
|
Rapides
|
Vernon
|
Winn |
|
1970
|
20,811
|
37,817
|
32,049
|
13,761
|
13,421
|
35,275
|
118,526
|
53,954
|
16,527 |
|
1980
|
21,391
|
41,426
|
33,493
|
16,775
|
16,378
|
39,679
|
133,480
|
54,236
|
16,444 |
|
1990
|
21,207
|
39,108
|
33,257
|
17,501
|
13,616
|
37,073
|
131,518
|
62,063
|
16,762 |
|
2000
|
25,440
|
41,481
|
35,434
|
18,698
|
14,282
|
39,080
|
126,337
|
52,531
|
16,848 |
|
2002
|
25,290
|
41,467
|
35,442
|
18,732
|
14,216
|
38,663
|
126,881
|
51,008
|
16,544 |
|
2004
|
25,407
|
41,981
|
35,451
|
19,139
|
14,161
|
38,741
|
128,013
|
49,545
|
16,072 |
|
2005
|
25,270
|
42,098
|
35,540
|
19,503
|
14,040
|
38,541
|
128,462
|
48,745
|
15,929 |
|
2006
|
25,447
|
42,663
|
35,911
|
19,879
|
14,093
|
38,719
|
130,201
|
46,748
|
15,835 |
|
2007** |
25,394 |
39,704 |
35,824 |
19,872 |
13,975 |
38,719 |
131,409 |
48,174 |
15,733 |
|
2012** |
25,186 |
41,966 |
35,994 |
20,763 |
13,729 |
|
131,989 |
44,141 |
14,905 |
|
**
Projections
Source:
US Census Department
|
Central Louisiana Income
|
Per
Capita Income 1970-2005
|
|
|
Allen
|
Avoy.
|
Evang.
|
Grant
|
LaSalle
|
Natch.
|
Rapides
|
Vernon
|
Winn
|
|
1970
|
2,368
|
2,055
|
2,045
|
2,321
|
2,377
|
2,297
|
2,864
|
3,509
|
2,296
|
|
1980
|
6,305
|
5,715
|
6,688
|
6,086
|
6,626
|
5,964
|
7,671
|
6,674
|
6,005
|
|
1990
|
10,040
|
10,438
|
10,662
|
10,985
|
12,235
|
11,477
|
15,132
|
13,673
|
10,942
|
|
2000
|
16,605
|
17,212
|
16,427
|
18,812
|
16,800
|
18,370
|
23,777
|
20,157
|
15,393
|
|
2001
|
17,866
|
17,788
|
17,695
|
19,070
|
17,637
|
19,763
|
26,053
|
21,131
|
17,101
|
|
2002
|
17,948
|
18,331
|
18,015
|
19,538
|
19,002
|
20,497
|
26,827
|
23,168
|
17,119
|
|
2003
|
17,932
|
18,810
|
18,058
|
20,175
|
19,082
|
21,698
|
26,934
|
24,888
|
17,913
|
|
2004
|
18,043
|
19,783
|
18,711
|
21,316
|
20,692
|
23,626
|
28,533
|
27,805
|
19,136
|
|
2005
|
17,549
|
20,800
|
18,830
|
21,960
|
21,876
|
24,170
|
30,203
|
29,869
|
20,326
|
|
Source:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
|
|
