Andrew, Louisiana facts for kids

Andrew is a small place in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, United States. It's known as an "unincorporated community," which means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Instead, it's governed by the larger parish (like a county in other states). Andrew is also part of the Abbeville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is a way of grouping nearby areas that are connected by jobs and daily life, even if they aren't big cities.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

An unincorporated community like Andrew is a place where people live and work, but it doesn't have its own official city hall or mayor. Instead, the local government for this area is handled by the larger parish or county it belongs to. This means services like roads, police, and fire departments are managed by the parish government.

Why are some places unincorporated?

Many communities start small and grow over time. If they don't reach a certain size or decide not to form their own government, they remain unincorporated. This can sometimes mean fewer local taxes, but also that decisions are made by a larger government body.

Understanding Parishes in Louisiana

In most U.S. states, areas are divided into "counties." But in Louisiana, these divisions are called "parishes." This unique name comes from the state's history, which was influenced by French and Spanish rule. Each parish has its own government that helps manage local services for all the communities within its borders, including unincorporated ones like Andrew.

What is Vermilion Parish like?

Vermilion Parish is located in the southern part of Louisiana, close to the Gulf of Mexico. It's known for its rich Cajun culture, delicious food, and beautiful natural areas like swamps and bayous. Many people in the parish work in farming, fishing, or the oil and gas industry.

What is a Micropolitan Statistical Area?

The term "Micropolitan Statistical Area" might sound complicated, but it's just a way for the government to define areas that are connected economically. It includes a central town or city (like Abbeville for Andrew) that has between 10,000 and 50,000 people, plus the surrounding communities that are closely linked to it. People often commute to the central town for work, shopping, or other activities.

How does Abbeville connect to Andrew?

Andrew is considered part of the Abbeville Micropolitan Statistical Area because Abbeville is the main hub nearby. This means that many residents of Andrew might travel to Abbeville for jobs, schools, hospitals, or larger stores. It shows how smaller communities are often connected to larger towns around them.