Grand Coteau, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grand Coteau, Louisiana
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Town
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| Town of Grand Coteau | |
Location of Grand Coteau in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
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Location of Louisiana in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | St. Landry |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.42 sq mi (6.27 km2) |
| • Land | 2.42 sq mi (6.27 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 56 ft (17 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 776 |
| • Density | 320.26/sq mi (123.67/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 337 |
| FIPS code | 22-30760 |
Grand Coteau is a small town in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, in the United States. In 2020, about 776 people lived there. Grand Coteau is located south of Opelousas along Interstate 49. It is known as a place where local farming is important. The current mayor of Grand Coteau is Gail Lark.
Contents
History of Grand Coteau
The land where Grand Coteau now stands was first given out by the Louisiana government in 1776. This area was then called Buzzard Prairie. In the early 1800s, Buzzard Prairie was a popular stop for people traveling between Washington, Louisiana and St. Martinville, Louisiana. It was a busy community with bakeries, a cobbler (someone who fixes shoes), a millinery (a hat shop), a blacksmith shop, a post office, and six bars.
Founding of Schools
In 1821, Mrs. Charles Smith, who was a rich planter's widow from Opelousas, gave land and a building. She also provided money for two nuns to travel from St. Charles, Missouri. These nuns were from the Religious of the Sacred Heart. They started a convent and a school. This school later became the famous Academy of the Sacred Heart.
The Jesuits, a group of Catholic priests, arrived in 1837. They built St. Charles College. The small settlement that grew around these schools was first named St. Charles Town. Later, its name was changed to Grand Coteau. The name "Grand Coteau" comes from French words meaning "great hill."
Grand Coteau During the Civil War
On October 3, 1863, a series of battles called the Campaign of the Teche began. The Ninety-ninth infantry regiment of Illinois fought in several small battles. A part of this regiment was involved in the Battle of Grand Coteau. After the battle, on November 9, they moved on to New Orleans. Even though thousands of Union soldiers camped near the Academy during the Civil War, the school itself was not harmed.
Growth and Diversity
In the 1800s, Grand Coteau's population grew a lot. People from many different backgrounds moved there. These included African-Americans, free people of color, Acadians, Creoles, French, Irish, and German immigrants. Because of this growth, the town still has many beautiful examples of Victorian architecture from the mid-1800s.
Geography
Grand Coteau is located at 30°25′8″N 92°2′53″W / 30.41889°N 92.04806°W.
The town covers a total area of about 2.4 square miles (6.2 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large bodies of water like lakes or rivers within the town limits.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 470 | — | |
| 1880 | 302 | −35.7% | |
| 1890 | 333 | 10.3% | |
| 1900 | 521 | 56.5% | |
| 1910 | 392 | −24.8% | |
| 1920 | 470 | 19.9% | |
| 1930 | 580 | 23.4% | |
| 1940 | 662 | 14.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,103 | 66.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,165 | 5.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,301 | 11.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,165 | −10.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,118 | −4.0% | |
| 2000 | 1,040 | −7.0% | |
| 2010 | 947 | −8.9% | |
| 2020 | 776 | −18.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
According to the 2020 United States census, there were 776 people living in Grand Coteau. There were 296 households and 182 families in the town.
The population of Grand Coteau in 2020 included:
- About 31.83% White people (not Hispanic or Latino)
- About 62.24% Black or African American people (not Hispanic or Latino)
- A small number of Native American and Asian people
- About 2.45% people of mixed races
- About 3.22% Hispanic or Latino people
Population in 2010
In the 2010 United States Census, Grand Coteau had 947 people. At that time, about 71.0% of the people were Black, and 26.0% were White. A small number of people were Asian or from other races. About 2.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Climate
Grand Coteau has a climate with hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.
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See also
- In Spanish: Grand Coteau para niños
