Louisiana is home to the parish of Lincoln Parish, one of the largest in the United States. The population was recorded at 48,396 in the upcoming 2020 census. Ruston is the main town in the parish.
Parts of Bienville, Claiborne, Union, and Jackson parishes were combined to form the current parish on February 24, 1873; since then, the parish’s borders have been altered only once, in 1877.
Lake D’Arbonne State Park and Lincoln Parish Park are two of Lincoln Parish’s most popular tourist destinations, and the parish is also home to prestigious universities like Louisiana Tech and Grambling.
Some parts of the parish are more developed and prosperous than others. Lincoln Parish had a poverty rate of 28.4% in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau; this was significantly higher than the state rate of 18.8% and the national rate of 12.6%.
This article examines the five poorest areas of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, using median household income data from the 2017-2021 American Community Survey (ACS) from the United States Census Bureau.
Simsboro
Located in Lincoln Parish’s southwestern corner, along Interstate 20 is the little town of Simsboro. The median annual salary in this area is $32,500, and there are 1,014 residents. There is a high school in Simsboro that accommodates students in kindergarten through 12th grade with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1.
Few businesses call Simsboro home, the unemployment rate is high at 9.9 percent, and just 17.4 percent of residents there hold a bachelor’s degree or above.
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Dubach
Dubach is a neighborhood in northern Lincoln Parish that can be found right on U.S. Route 167. A total of 1,012 people call this place home, and they bring in $31,875 on average each year. Dubach is sometimes referred to as the “Dogtrot Capital of the World” because of its ancient dogtrot dwellings, which are log huts with a breezeway in the middle.
The Autrey Dogtrot House is one such home that was constructed in 1849 and is recognized by the National Park Service as a historic site.The month of September also brings the Louisiana Chicken Festival to Dubach.
The population of Dubach has dropped by 6.8 percent since 2010, and the city also struggles with a high poverty rate (35%).
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Choudrant
Choudrant is a small town in the southeast corner of Lincoln Parish, right on LA Highway 145. There are 1,001 residents making a median salary of $31,250 per year. Choudrant High School, which is located in Choudrant, serves students in grades 9 through 12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1.
Choudrant has a lot of problems, including a young population, a high cost of living (typical rent is $1,000), and a low median age (29).
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Grambling
Grambling is a neighborhood in western Lincoln Parish that can be found right on Interstate 80. There are 4,693 residents making a median income of $23,750. Founded in 1901 by Charles P. Adams, Grambling State University (GSU) is a public institution of higher education that is well recognized as a landmark in the city of Grambling.
About 5,000 students are enrolled at Georgia State University, where they can choose from among more than 40 majors. Grambling State University’s football team, known as the Tigers, has won 26 national titles under Eddie Robinson. Grambling has a high crime rate (index of 67), a low graduation rate (38%), and a high average student debt of $36,000.
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Ruston
Ruston, the parish seat of Lincoln Parish, sits smack dab in the middle of the parish along Interstate 20. It has a population of 23,233, making it the largest city in the parish, and a median family income of $22,500, making it the parish seat.
Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech), a public research institution established in 1894 by W. C. Friley, is located in the city of Ruston. The high poverty rate (49.8%), the low median age (23.6%), and the high rent burden (52.5% of renters pay more than 30% of income on rent) are all problems that plague Ruston.
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Conclusion
Lincoln Parish is a vibrant and ever-changing community with a wide range of assets and weaknesses. There are certain common aims and aspirations among the five lowest areas in the parish, despite their differences in history, culture, and material requirements. Together, these groups may overcome their challenges and realize their full potential.
