Fordoche, Louisiana

Town of Fordoche
Town
Seal
Country United States
State Louisiana
Parish Pointe Coupee
Elevation 30 ft (9.1 m)
Coordinates 30°35′29″N 91°36′31″W / 30.59139°N 91.60861°W / 30.59139; -91.60861Coordinates: 30°35′29″N 91°36′31″W / 30.59139°N 91.60861°W / 30.59139; -91.60861
Area 2.4 sq mi (6.2 km2)
 - land 2.4 sq mi (6 km2)
 - water 0.0 sq mi (0 km2), 0%
Population 933 (2000)
Density 383.8/sq mi (148.2/km2)
Incorporated 1961
Timezone CST (UTC-6)
 - summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP Code 70732
Area code 225
Location of Fordoche in Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States

Fordoche (pronounced four-DOASH) is a town in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 933 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

In 1854, the first post office was established at Fordoche, with Thomas Farrar designated as its first postmaster. There are two conflicting stories about how the town's name was derived. One story is that it received its name from a Caddo Indian word meaning "wild animal lair" (i.e., the bed of a wild beast) and the other suggests that it is named after a Louisiana French term for underbrush found in bayou bottom.[1]

At least two American Civil War battles were fought in and around Fordoche. The Battle of Fordoche Bridge was fought in September 1863. Union troops were sent to prevent the Confederacy from operating in the upper Atchafalaya but the Confederates were successful in driving back the Union forces.

In May 1864, the Confederates were again victorious over the Union troops at the "Skirmish on Bayou Fordoche Road".[2]

The area saw an influx of Italian immigrants after 1890.

Fordoche is the youngest incorporated community in Pointe Coupee Parish. It was incorporated as a village in 1961 and became a town in 1994.[3]

Geography

Fordoche is located at 30°35′29″N 91°36′31″W / 30.59139°N 91.60861°W / 30.59139; -91.60861 (30.591445, -91.608546).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2), all land.

Major Highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1970488—
198067638.5%
199086928.6%
20009337.4%
2010928−0.5%
Est. 2015904[5]−2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 933 people, 341 households, and 285 families residing in the town. The population density was 383.8 people per square mile (148.2/km²). There were 361 housing units at an average density of 148.5 per square mile (57.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.68% White, 8.57% African American, 0.11% Asian, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 341 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.4% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 13.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,364, and the median income for a family was $40,313. Males had a median income of $32,400 versus $21,146 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,223. About 12.1% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 20.3% of those age 65 or over.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lockhart, John M. "Roadmap to the Westside", The Riverside Reader, January 21, 2008, p. 1
  2. ↑ Pointe Coupee: Fordoche
  3. ↑ "Boundary Changes". Geographic Change Notes: Louisiana. Population Division, United States Census Bureau. 2006-05-19. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
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