St. Landry Parish is a region in Louisiana, USA, with around 82,540 people as of the 2020 Census. The main city and administrative center is Opelousas. It was established in 1807 and got its name from St. Landry Catholic Church. The area is known for its vibrant Creole and Cajun cultural heritage.
Despite its cultural richness, St. Landry Parish grapples with various difficulties like poverty, joblessness, limited education, and health issues. In 2020, the average household income was $40,859, which is below the state’s average of $51,073 and the national average of $67,521, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The poverty rate in St. Landry Parish was 27.1% in 2020, surpassing the state’s 19.6% and the national 12.8% averages.
In this parish, some neighborhoods face more significant challenges, including higher poverty rates, lower incomes, and less favorable living conditions. Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) for 2017-2021, here are the five most poorest neighborhoods in St. Landry Parish:
Opelousas City Center
This area lies at the center of Opelousas, which is the main city and administrative center of St. Landry Parish. It is home to approximately 6,462 people, with a poverty rate of 50.2%.
This rate is nearly twice as high as the average for the whole parish. In this neighborhood, the typical household income is $19,559, which is less than half of what is typically seen in the rest of the parish.
The unemployment rate here is 15%, surpassing the parish average of 9%. The majority of residents in this area identify as Black or African American (83%), followed by White (14%), and Hispanic or Latino (2%).
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Melville
This area lies in the northern region of St. Landry Parish, near the Atchafalaya River. It is home to 1,049 people, with nearly half of them (49%) living below the poverty line, which is almost twice the average for the parish. The typical household income here is $21,250, less than half of what is found in the rest of the parish.
The unemployment rate stands at 14%, exceeding the parish average of 9%. The majority of residents in this neighborhood are Black or African American (76%), followed by White (22%) and Hispanic or Latino (1%).
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Sunset
This area lies in the eastern section of St. Landry Parish, near Interstate 49. It’s home to around 2,897 people, with a poverty rate of 40%, significantly above the parish’s average. The typical household income here is $28,750, which is less than what’s seen in the wider parish.
Unemployment is at 10% in this neighborhood, a bit above the parish average of 9%. The majority of residents are Black or African American (57%), followed by White (40%), and Hispanic or Latino (2%).
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Port Barre
This area lies in the southern section of St. Landry Parish, near Bayou Courtableau. It has a population of 2,052, with a poverty rate of 38%, surpassing the parish’s typical rate. The median household income here is $32,500, below the parish’s average.
The unemployment rate matches the parish average at 9%. The majority of residents are White (69%), followed by Black or African American (28%) and Hispanic or Latino (2%).
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Eunice
This area lies in the western section of St. Landry Parish, near U.S. Route 190. It is home to 10,305 people, with a poverty rate of 35%, surpassing the parish’s average. The median household income here is $33,750, which is less than the parish’s average.
The unemployment rate stands at 8%, a bit lower than the parish’s 9% average. The majority of residents here are White (64%), followed by Black or African American (32%) and Hispanic or Latino (3%).
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Final Words
These five communities are the poorest in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. They encounter various difficulties like low earnings, widespread poverty, subpar health conditions, and restricted prospects. Yet, they also possess valuable assets, including a rich cultural mix, strong community spirit, and a significant historical legacy.
By tackling the underlying issues of poverty and inequity, and by putting resources into education, healthcare, basic facilities, and economic progress, these neighborhoods can enhance their standard of living and realize their complete capabilities.
