Cecilia, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cecilia, Louisiana
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Downtown Cecilia
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 Cecilia, Louisiana
Location in Louisiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | St. Martin |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.14 sq mi (5.54 km2) |
| • Land | 2.12 sq mi (5.49 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
| Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,807 |
| • Density | 853.16/sq mi (329.37/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
70521
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| Area code(s) | 337 |
| FIPS code | 22-13575 |
Cecilia is a small community in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. It's called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area that looks like a town but isn't officially a city or village.
Cecilia is located in a region of Louisiana known as Acadiana. This area is famous for its unique Cajun culture. In 2020, about 1,807 people lived in Cecilia.
Contents
History of Cecilia
Cecilia is built on land that was once home to the Atakapa Tribe. The Atakapa people lived in what is now Southwest Louisiana and Texas. They had a trading post nearby before French settlers arrived.
How Cecilia Got Its Name
The area where Cecilia is located was first known by the Spanish as La Punta. This name means "The Point." The French later translated it to La Grande Pointe, meaning "The Great Point." Many people used this name for a long time.
Later, the community was named Cecilia. It was named after the first person who worked at the local post office.
Early Settlers
The first known settler in Cecilia was Pierre Guidry. He bought land in 1791. Joseph Angelle settled nearby soon after. These early settlers helped shape the community.
Cecilia During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Cecilia was also called La Place. However, this name caused confusion with another town called LaPlace in a different parish. So, the name was changed back to Cecilia.
Famous People from Cecilia
Cecilia is the birthplace of several important people from Louisiana. These include:
- Robert Joseph "Bob" Angelle (1896–1979), who was a state representative and even the Speaker of the House.
- Paul J. Hardy (born 1942), who served as Louisiana's Secretary of State and Lieutenant Governor.
- J. Burton Angelle and Jesse J. Guidry, who were state representatives and later led the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Ramsey Dardar, a former player in the National Football League.
General Louis Hebert's Burial Site
Cecilia is also the burial site of Louis Hebert. He was a Confederate general during the Civil War. Hebert graduated from West Point in 1845. He was an engineer and later a teacher. His grave marker is located near Cecilia on Highway 328.
Cajun French Language
Cecilia has been a strong place for the Cajun French language. In 2013, a study showed that many people in Cecilia still used Cajun French every day. This included a good number of children.
Geography of Cecilia
Cecilia is located in south central Louisiana. It's part of the Lafayette metropolitan area. This means it's near the larger city of Lafayette.
The community covers an area of about 2.1 square miles (5.4 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population and People
Cecilia has seen its population grow over the years.
- In 2000, about 1,505 people lived there.
- By 2010, the population grew to 1,980.
- In 2020, the population was 1,807.
Who Lives in Cecilia?
In 2019, there were slightly more females than males living in Cecilia. The average age of people living there was about 34.2 years old. Most residents were 16 years or older.
The community is made up of different groups of people. In 2019, about 61.1% of the population was non-Hispanic white. About 38.9% were Black or African American.
Homes and Households
There are many types of homes in Cecilia. Most homes are single-family houses. Many people own their homes, while others rent. The average number of people living in a home is about 2 to 3.
The average income for a household in Cecilia in 2019 was about $49,063 per year. About 18.3% of the people in Cecilia lived below the poverty line.
Education in Cecilia
Public schools in Cecilia are managed by the St. Martin Parish School Board. Students in Cecilia attend the following schools:
- Cecilia Primary School (for grades PK-2)
- Teche Elementary School (for grades 3–5)
- Cecilia Junior High School (for grades 6–8)
- Cecilia High School (for grades 9–12)
See also
In Spanish: Cecilia (Luisiana) para niños
