Carencro, Louisiana

Carencro is a small town in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is a bedroom community to the nearby city of Lafayette. As of the 2000 census, Carencro population was 6,120. The name comes from the Louisiana Creole word for buzzard: the spot was one where large flocks of buzzards roosted in the bald cypress trees.

Etymology, Notable Residents and Town History

Many senior Carencro natives attest that the town's name originates from an unspecified episode of dialogue before the United States Civil War. According to this local legend, native Americans told Vermillionville settlers that a large number of "carrion crows" had settled around the Vermillion River between Lafayette and Opelousas to feast on the large carcass of a stranded whale or unusual fish die-off.

The "carrion crow" (vulture) nomenclature eventually became the town's name according to this local legend. Although Carencro does not lie on the Vermillion river, this legend has permanence within the community.

Carencro's St. Peter's Catholic Church and cemetery is an artistic centerpiece of the town. Carencro notables such as William J. Broussard and Oliver Richard (who started a successful lumberyard along the town's rail line) are buried in this cemetery.

St. Peter's Catholic Church has an ornate cypress-carved entrance, altar and narthex, as well as intricate pew end capsFile:Http:/media/wikipedia/en/1/1d/Beau-Soleil.jpg, once sold to parishioners to raise money for the church. These unique end caps were directed by Catholic Frs. Wassler and Edwards. (Both Deceased)

The City Hall and Fire Station, designed by local architect Lynn Guidry, is a modern counterpoint to the traditional Catholic church.

Musician Marc Broussard is a native of the town and titled his major label debut album Carencro after it. Carencro is also famous as the birthplace of Rockin' Dopsie.

Geography

Carencro is located at 30°18′51″N 92°2′37″W (30.314232, -92.043614)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.7 km² (6.1 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 6,120 people, 2,237 households, and 1,579 families residing in the city. The population density was 388.6/km² (1,005.9/mi²). There were 2,401 housing units at an average density of 152.5/km² (394.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 56.37% White, 42.19% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.

There were 2,237 households out of which 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 21.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.2% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,716, and the median income for a family was $27,539. Males had a median income of $27,879 versus $21,496 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,491. About 24.1% of families and 29.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.6% of those under age 18 and 27.1% of those age 65 or over.