Jackson Parish, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jackson Parish
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Parish
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Jackson Parish Courthouse in Jonesboro
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Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
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 Louisiana's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Louisiana |
| Founded | 1845 |
| Named for | Andrew Jackson |
| Seat | Jonesboro |
| Largest town | Jonesboro |
| Area | |
| • Total | 580 sq mi (1,500 km2) |
| • Land | 569 sq mi (1,470 km2) |
| • Water | 11 sq mi (30 km2) 1.9% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 15,031 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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14,876  |
| • Density | 25.92/sq mi (10.01/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
Jackson Parish (which means Parish of Jackson in French) is a special kind of county in northern Louisiana. In 2020, about 15,031 people lived here. The main town and government center is Jonesboro.
This parish was created in 1845. It was formed from parts of three other parishes: Claiborne, Ouachita, and Union. In the 1900s, towns like Jonesboro grew because of factories. East of Jonesboro, you can find Jimmie Davis State Park. This park is home to the beautiful Caney Lake Reservoir.
Contents
History of Jackson Parish
Jackson Parish was started in 1845. It was named after President Andrew Jackson. This happened after many Native American groups were moved from their lands.
Civil War Times
During the American Civil War, a Confederate general named Richard Taylor sent soldiers into Jackson and Winn parishes. Their job was to find people who were supposed to join the army but didn't. They also stopped groups of outlaws called "jayhawkers."
From 1900 to Today
In the 20th century, Jonesboro became a busy factory town. It produced wood and turpentine from the many pine forests. This growth brought many new jobs.
By the 1950s and 1960s, many African Americans worked in these factories. Some had served in World War II and the Korean War. They began to demand equal rights in a time when laws separated people by race. Groups like the Ku Klux Klan tried to scare and attack civil rights activists.
In November 1964, a minister named Rev. Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick and Earnest "Chilly Willy" Thomas started a group. It was called the Deacons for Defense and Justice. This group was made up of African Americans who carried weapons. They aimed to protect civil rights workers and their families.
In February 1965, these men traveled to Bogalusa, another factory town. They helped start another Deacons chapter there. They taught local activists how to protect themselves. The Deacons helped create similar groups in other cities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Geography of Jackson Parish
Jackson Parish covers about 580 square miles. Most of this area, about 569 square miles, is land. The rest, about 11 square miles, is water.
Main Roads
U.S. Highway 167
Louisiana Highway 4
Louisiana Highway 34
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Neighboring Parishes
- Lincoln Parish (north)
- Ouachita Parish (northeast)
- Caldwell Parish (southeast)
- Winn Parish (south)
- Bienville Parish (west)
Communities in Jackson Parish
Towns
Villages
Unincorporated Communities
These are places that are not officially towns or villages.
People of Jackson Parish
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 5,566 | — | |
| 1860 | 9,465 | 70.1% | |
| 1870 | 7,646 | −19.2% | |
| 1880 | 5,328 | −30.3% | |
| 1890 | 7,453 | 39.9% | |
| 1900 | 9,119 | 22.4% | |
| 1910 | 13,818 | 51.5% | |
| 1920 | 14,486 | 4.8% | |
| 1930 | 13,808 | −4.7% | |
| 1940 | 17,807 | 29.0% | |
| 1950 | 15,434 | −13.3% | |
| 1960 | 15,828 | 2.6% | |
| 1970 | 15,963 | 0.9% | |
| 1980 | 17,321 | 8.5% | |
| 1990 | 15,705 | −9.3% | |
| 2000 | 15,397 | −2.0% | |
| 2010 | 16,274 | 5.7% | |
| 2020 | 15,031 | −7.6% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 14,876 | −8.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2013 |
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In 2020, there were 15,031 people living in Jackson Parish. There were almost 6,000 households and over 4,000 families.
The people living in Jackson Parish in 2020 were:
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (not Hispanic) | 9,896 | 65.84% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 3,945 | 26.25% |
| Native American | 34 | 0.23% |
| Asian | 146 | 0.97% |
| Pacific Islander | 5 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 537 | 3.57% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 468 | 3.11% |
In 2000, about 31.70% of households had children under 18. About 52.80% were married couples. The average household had 2.48 people.
Education in Jackson Parish
Public schools in Jackson Parish are run by the Jackson Parish School Board. This board is chosen by the people.
National Guard
A unit of the National Guard, A Company 199TH FSB, is based in Jonesboro, Louisiana. This unit has served in Iraq twice, in 2004-2005 and 2010. They also served in 1990 during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Famous People from Jackson Parish
- Rodney Alexander – A Republican who served as a U.S. representative.
- Marvin T. Culpepper – He was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1964 to 1968.
- Jimmie Davis – A former Democratic governor and a singer. He was born in Jackson Parish in 1899.
Images for kids
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A part of Caney Lake, which is east of Jonesboro.
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The Jackson Parish Veterans Memorial is in Jonesboro, across from the library.
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The Jackson Parish Museum and Fine Arts Association is in Jonesboro.
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The Jackson Parish Library in Jonesboro.
See also
In Spanish: Parroquia de Jackson para niños
