Iota, Louisiana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Iota is a town in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,376 at the 2000 census. Its previous names were "Pointe Aux Loups" (French for Wolves' Point) and "Cartville".

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Events
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Iota is located at 30°19′43″N, 92°29′35″W (30.328500, -92.493123)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,376 people, 524 households, and 374 families residing in the town. The population density was 418.3/km² (1,084.1/mi²). There were 583 housing units at an average density of 177.2/km² (459.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.94% White, 11.26% African American, 0.15% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.

There were 524 households out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the town the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,107, and the median income for a family was $31,328. Males had a median income of $31,538 versus $19,479 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,916. About 21.4% of families and 25.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.5% of those under age 18 and 23.6% of those age 65 or over.

Iota was represented in a contemporary novel called "No Place Louisiana," by Martin Pousson published in 2002.

[edit] Events

Iota is home to the annual "Tee-Mamou/Iota Mardi Gras Folklife Festival" during Mardi Gras Day, attracting thousands to the small town. The festival serves up authentic Cajun food, crafts, music and many await the arrival of the Courir de Mardi Gras riders, who scavaged the surrounding countryside for ingredients to the night's big culinary fare, a chicken and sausage gumbo.