Fordoche, Louisiana
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| Town of Fordoche | ||
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| Town | ||
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Louisiana | |
| Parish | Pointe Coupee | |
| Area | 2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²) | |
| - land | 2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²) | |
| - water | 0.0 sq mi (0 km²), 0% | |
| Center | ||
| - coordinates | Coordinates: | |
| - elevation | 30 ft (9.1 m) | |
| Population | 933 (2000) | |
| Density | 383.8 /sq mi (148.2 /km²) | |
| Incorporated | 1962 | |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) | |
| - summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) | |
| ZIP Code | 70732 | |
| Area code | 225 | |
  Location of Fordoche in Louisiana
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 Location of Louisiana in the United States
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Fordoche (pronounced Four Doh Sh) is a town in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 933 at the 2000 census. The town's zip code is 70732. The town was incorporated in 1962. It is Pointe Coupee's youngest incorporated town.
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[edit] Geography
Fordoche is located at (30.591445, -91.608546)[1].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.3 km²), all of it land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[2] 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/sq mi (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.
[edit] 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 hair" and the other suggests that it is named after a French term for underbrush found in bayou bottom[3].
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".[4]
The area saw an influx of Italian immigrants after 1890.
[edit] Major Highways
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Lockhart, John M. "Roadmap to the Westside", The Riverside Reader, January 21, 2008, p. 1
- ^ Pointe Coupee: Fordoche
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