According to Countryaah, Beauregard Parish is a county located in the state of Louisiana. It is part of the Lake Charles metropolitan area and has an estimated population of 35,731 as of 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, making it the 37th most populous parish in Louisiana. The county seat is DeRidder and other notable cities within Beauregard Parish include Rosepine, Merryville, Sugartown, and Singer.
The county was established in 1913 from the western portion of Calcasieu Parish and is named after Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard. The parish covers an area of 844 square miles and has a population density of 42 people per square mile as of 2019 U.S Census Bureau estimates.
In terms of racial demographics, Beauregard Parish is made up mostly of white residents at 66% while African American residents make up 28%, Hispanic or Latino residents make up 3%, Asian residents make up 1%, Native American residents make up 0.3%, and Pacific Islander residents make up 0%.
In terms of educational attainment, 20% of Beauregard Parish’s population have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher while 15% have some college education but no degree and 28% have only completed high school or less according to 2019 U.S Census Bureau estimates. Additionally, there are 1,946 veterans living within the county which accounts for 5% of the total population according to 2019 U.S Census Bureau estimates.
The median household income in Beauregard Parish is $41,824 according to 2019 U.S Census Bureau estimates which is slightly lower than both state ($47,542) and national ($61,937) averages respectively for that same year while the poverty rate stands at 21%, slightly higher than both state (13%) and national (11%) averages respectively for that same year according to 2019 U.S Census Bureau estimates.
History of Beauregard Parish, Louisiana
Beauregard Parish is a county located in the state of Louisiana. It was established in 1913 from the western portion of Calcasieu Parish and is named after Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard. The parish covers an area of 844 square miles and has an estimated population of 35,731 as of 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, making it the 37th most populous parish in Louisiana.
Prior to the establishment of Beauregard Parish, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes for centuries and there have been numerous archaeological sites uncovered throughout the region that provide evidence of their presence. In 1699, French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville set up camp at what would later become Lake Charles and from there he explored much of what is now modern day Beauregard Parish.
The area remained a part of Calcasieu Parish until 1913 when Beauregard Parish was established from its western portion by an act of the Louisiana Legislature. The new county was named after Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard and the first county seat was established at DeRidder in 1914 with other notable cities within Beauregard Parish including Rosepine, Merryville, Sugartown, and Singer soon following suit.
In terms of industry, agriculture has long played a major role in Beauregard Parish’s economy with cotton being one of its principal crops for many years followed by soybeans and corn in more recent times. Other industries that have flourished within Beauregard Parish include timber production as well as oil extraction which began during World War II and continues to be a major economic driver for the county today.
Major cities and towns in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana
Beauregard Parish, Louisiana is home to several cities and towns which serve as the economic and cultural hubs of the region. The county seat is DeRidder which was established in 1914 and is the largest city in Beauregard Parish with an estimated population of 10,843 according to 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Other notable cities in Beauregard Parish include Rosepine which is located along the western border of the parish and has an estimated population of 1,306 people; Merryville located near the center of the parish with an estimated population of 807; Sugartown located in the southern portion of Beauregard Parish with an estimated population of 691; and Singer located in the northern part of Beauregard Parish with an estimated population of 577.
Aside from these larger cities, Beauregard Parish also consists of several smaller towns such as Longville, Fields, Reeves, Evans, Hester, Oberlin, Starks, Ragley and Hathaway each with their own unique characters and histories. These small towns are all part of what makes up rural Beauregard Parish where many residents have lived for generations as farmers or ranchers making their living off the land or working in nearby industries such as timber production or oil extraction.
In terms of culture, each city and town within Beauregard Parish has its own distinct flavor which can be seen through its festivals such as Sugartown’s annual Watermelon Festival or Rosepine’s annual Arts & Crafts Fair that take place each year drawing visitors from all over Louisiana. There are also many historical sites scattered throughout Beauregard Parish including two separate historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places: The Downtown DeRidder Historic District and The Starks Historic District both containing various buildings from different eras that reflect both local cultures as well as national history.
Population in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana
According to existingcountries.com, Beauregard Parish is home to a diverse population of over 35,000 people according to the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The racial makeup of the parish is approximately 72% White, 21% African American, 3% Hispanic or Latino, and 1% Asian. The median age of residents in Beauregard Parish is 40 years old and the median household income is $39,673.
Education within the parish is provided by the Beauregard Parish School System which consists of ten elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools. Additionally, there are several private schools located in DeRidder ranging from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade as well as post-secondary institutions such as McNeese State University in nearby Lake Charles and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
In terms of healthcare, Beauregard Parish residents have access to a variety of medical services including primary care physicians, specialists and hospitals within the parish such as Beauregard Memorial Hospital located in DeRidder which provides emergency services as well as general medical care for both adults and children alike.
The economy of Beauregard Parish is largely driven by agriculture with cotton as the main crop followed by corn and soybeans although timber production and oil extraction also play an important role in providing jobs for local residents throughout the year. There are also many other businesses located throughout Beauregard Parish including retail stores, restaurants, banks and other service-oriented establishments that help stimulate economic growth within the region.
