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The city of Opelousas is the parish seat of St. Landry Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. The population was 22,860 at the 2000 census. Opelousas is a center of Zydeco music.
History The name of the city comes from the Opelousas tribe of Native Americans. There was a community of French traders conducting commerce with the Opelousas in this area as early as 1690. The earliest record land grant in what became the town of Opelousas was in 1782. Opelousas was incorporated in 1821. During the American Civil War, Opelousas briefly served as the Confederate capital of Louisiana in 1862. The Yambilee Festival is held each year in Opelousas Geography
Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 22,860 people, 8,699 households, and 5,663 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,250.2/km² (3,240.0/mi²). There were 9,783 housing units at an average density of 535.0/km² (1,386.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 29.30% White, 69.12% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population. There were 8,699 households out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.7% were married couples living together, 26.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.24. In the city the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $14,717, and the median income for a family was $19,966. Males had a median income of $24,588 versus $17,104 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,957. About 37.7% of families and 43.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 57.2% of those under age 18 and 32.0% of those age 65 or over. People Opelousas is the native town of 1972 Olympic champion Rodney Milburn. Chef Paul Prudhomme was raised on a farm near Opelousas. Author John Ed Bradley grew up in Opelousas. Chef Tony Chachere was born in Opelousas where the Chachere family still owns and operates Tony Chachere's Creole Foods. | ||||||||||
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