Rayne, Louisiana

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City of Rayne
City
none Downtown Rayne
Downtown Rayne
Nicknames : Frog Capital of the World , Louisiana City of Murals
Country United States
State Louisiana
Parish Acadia
Area 3.5 sq mi (9.1 km²)
 - land 3.5 sq mi (9.1 km²)
 - water 0.0 sq mi (0 km²), 0%
Center
 - coordinates 30°14′15″N 92°16′05″W / 30.2375, -92.26806Coordinates: 30°14′15″N 92°16′05″W / 30.2375, -92.26806
 - elevation 36 ft (11 m)
Population 8,552 (2000)
Density 2,476.1 /sq mi (956 /km²)
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 - summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Area code 337
Location of Rayne in Louisiana
Location of Rayne in Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Website : http://www.rayne.org

Rayne is a city in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,552 at the 2000 census. It is nicknamed the "Frog Capital of the World", as well as the "Louisiana City of Murals".

Contents

[edit] Geography

Rayne is located at 30°14′15″N, 92°16′5″W (30.237379, -92.268175)[1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.0 km²), of which, 3.5 square miles (8.9 km²) of it is land and 0.29% is water.

[edit] Demographics

Depot Square with one of many Rayne rice mills in the background.
Depot Square with one of many Rayne rice mills in the background.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 8,552 people, 3,183 households, and 2,228 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,476.1 people per square mile (957.1/km²). There were 3,480 housing units at an average density of 1,007.6/sq mi (389.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.55% White, 33.52% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.81% of the population.

There were 3,183 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.

One of many frog murals throughout the city.
One of many frog murals throughout the city.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,369, and the median income for a family was $27,991. Males had a median income of $27,140 versus $14,980 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,588. About 24.5% of families and 29.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.2% of those under age 18 and 24.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

Acadia Parish School Board serves the city. Rayne High School is located in Rayne.

[edit] Schools

  • Rayne High School: 9-12 grades
  • Armstrong Middle School: 6-8 grades
  • South Rayne Elementary School: 4-7 grades
  • Martin Petitjean Elementary School: 1-3 grades
  • Central Rayne Kindergarten School: Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten

Mire Elementary, a Pre-Kindergarte through 8th grade school in the community of Mire, Louisiana, also feeds into Rayne High School, along with Indian Bayou Elementary School, also a Pre-K-8 school.

[edit] Events

Rayne holds a yearly Frog Festival around Labor Day weekend which attracts thousands of visitors. [3]

[edit] Frogland

WaterPark Experts, Inc., a company based in Texas, has recently released plans to build a state-of-the-art waterpark and family entertainment complex in the area that would be called Frogland USA. The park would include numerous water slides and family raft rides as well as an amphitheatre for concerts and events by world renowned artists. According to an article released by a local newspaper, the complex would be operated year-round and could provide up to 300 jobs as well as a $300,000 tax revenue increase for the city. During its first year it is expected to attract half a million tourists but that number could exceed 1.5 million. [4]


[edit] Frog Murals

[edit] References

[edit] External links