Choudrant, Louisiana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Choudrant is a village located in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 582.

1 Geography
2 Village Government and Services
3 Education
4 Business
5 Demographics
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Choudrant is located at 32°31'49" North, 92°30'45" West (32.530269, -92.512405)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.7 km² (1.8 mi²). 4.7 km² (1.8 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

[edit] Village Government and Services

Choudrant is served by four elected officials - Mayor Bill Sanderson and the three village aldermen: Reagon Aswell, John O'Neal, and "Skip" Morrison. Other public employees include town clerk Celeste Butler, Police Chief Bobby Milner, and Director of Public Works & Utilities Charles "Chuck" W. Turner. Choudrant was for many years served by only one police officer, though its force has recently added a new member and a new patrol car. Fire protection in the area is provided by the Choudrant Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) and the Lincoln Parish Fire Department.

[edit] Education

Choudrant is located within the fifth district of the Lincoln Parish School System. It is served by school board member James Kessler, a Choudrant native. There are two schools within the Choudrant district - Choudrant Elementary and Choudrant High. The elementary school (referred to locally as "the little school") services between 400 and 450 students in grades K-6 while the high school contains approximately 350 students in grade levels 7-12. Both schools are known throughout the district and the state as being high academic achievers under the state's school improvement plan, though Choudrant Elementary was labeled a "school in decline" during the 2005-06 school year despite its high score in the upper 90's under the grading system used by the Lousiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Choudrant High has consistently scored as one of the top schools in the Parish. Choudrant High is also known for its athletic achievements, having won three Louisiana Class B state baseball championships while the cross country and track and field programs have enjoyed astounding success under the relatively new Coach Christopher Baker, winning boys' cross country championships for the last fours years and girls' state runners-up for the last five years running. The track and field program has also grown under the direction of Coach Baker for the five years he has been at Choudrant, culminating in a state championship for the boys' team in 2006.

[edit] Business

Being a small town, Choudrant has limited business opportunity, though efforts by village leaders such as Mayor Bill Sanderson, are seeking to change this. There is opposition to these moves by other prominent villagers, especially village aldermen, who seek to keep Choudrant small by discouraging economic growth and business development. However, there are several "home grown" businesses within the village. Some of the more famous of these are Parnell's Station, Ken's Mini Mart, Spiller's Service Station, Morrison's Building Supply, and Choudrant Appliance. Choudrant is also home to a chicken feed mill that produces mush of the feed used in the poultry industry of the area. Likewise, Choudrant also houses a Pilgrim's Pride hatchery just within its eastern boundary. Most prominent of all local businesses though is Community Trust Bank, originally founded as the Bank of Choudrant. It has since grown to become one of the largest banks in both Lincoln Parish and the neighboring Ouachita Parish. However much it has grown though, the FDIC still recognizes the original Choudrant branch as its home office. Community Trust also sponsored the Louisiana Peach Festival in Ruston until 2005, whence sponsorship was taken up by Squire Creek Country Club.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2004, there are 571 people. For the following information, the 2000 census will have to be referred to: 234 households, and 167 families residing in the village. The population density is 123.5/km² (318.9/mi²). There are 257 housing units at an average density of 54.5/km² (140.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the village is 91.92% White, 6.53% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. 1.20% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 234 households out of which 35.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% are married couples living together, 11.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% are non-families. 24.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.49 and the average family size is 2.98.

In the village the population is spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 99.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village is $37,321, and the median income for a family is $42,656. Males have a median income of $30,855 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income for the village is $15,726. 6.6% of the population and 4.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.5% of those under the age of 18 and 10.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.