List of census-designated places in Louisiana facts for kids

A census-designated place (often called a CDP) is a special area defined by the United States Census Bureau. These places look like towns or communities, but they don't have their own local government, like a mayor or city council. Instead, they are part of a larger parish (which is like a county in other states).

The Census Bureau creates CDPs to gather accurate information about populations in areas that aren't officially cities or towns. This helps them understand how many people live in different parts of the country. As of the 2020 census, there were 184 census-designated places in Louisiana.

Understanding Census-Designated Places

What makes a CDP special?

A CDP is basically a community that doesn't have its own official city or town government. Think of it like a neighborhood or a small settlement that has grown large enough to be recognized for population counting. People living in a CDP still get services from their parish government, like police, fire, and roads.

How are CDPs different from cities?

The main difference is local government. A city or town has its own elected officials, like a mayor and city council, who make decisions for that specific area. A CDP does not. Its residents rely on the parish government for most services and laws.

Why are CDPs important?

CDPs help the Census Bureau get a complete picture of where people live. This information is used for many things, such as:

• Deciding how much money goes to different areas for schools, roads, and other services.
• Understanding population changes and growth across the state.
• Helping researchers and planners study communities.

For example, Metairie is a very large CDP in Louisiana, with over 143,000 people. It's much larger than many official cities! On the other hand, some CDPs are quite small, like Sugartown with only 33 residents or Bayou Corne with 32 residents.

See also

• List of cities, towns, and villages in Louisiana
• List of unincorporated communities in Louisiana
• Louisiana census statistical areas