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Cottonport, Louisiana
Town
Location of Cottonport in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Cottonport in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Country United States
State Louisiana
Parish Avoyelles
Incorporated 1888
Government
 • Type William "Scotty" Scott (elected 2012)
Area
 • Total 2.00 sq mi (5.19 km2)
 • Land 2.00 sq mi (5.19 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
56 ft (17 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,023
 • Density 1,008.98/sq mi (389.53/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
71327
Area code(s) 318
FIPS code 22-17880
Website https://townofcottonport.com

Cottonport is a town in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,006 at the 2010 census.

History

Cottonport was founded in the early 19th century. In 1835, Joseph Ducote donated land to be used for a road and school, which was the beginnings of the community. Incorporated in 1888 along the banks of Bayou Rouge (French for "Red Bayou"). In the 19th century, large boats made their way through Cottonport with goods destined for the port of New Orleans. The bayou was deep enough to support the large boats and formed a perfect horseshoe, which allowed vessels to turn around. The boats would deliver cargo into the area and would load crops on board to take to larger ports along the route. The main crop available for exporting at that time was cotton. In fact, because so much cotton was being shipped from the port, early settlers named the village Cottonport.

Present day

Today, over 100 years after its incorporation, Cottonport retains many of its picturesque qualities. Although Bayou Rouge is no longer navigable, it continues to be used as a fishing hole. It also serves as the backdrop to the annual Cottonport Christmas Festival, held the second weekend in December, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015.

Geography

Cottonport is located at 30°59′18″N 92°3′11″W / 30.98833°N 92.05306°W / 30.98833; -92.05306 (30.988465, -92.053049).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 505
1910 866 71.5%
1920 720 −16.9%
1930 1,015 41.0%
1940 1,196 17.8%
1950 1,534 28.3%
1960 1,581 3.1%
1970 1,862 17.8%
1980 1,911 2.6%
1990 2,600 36.1%
2000 2,316 −10.9%
2010 2,006 −13.4%
2020 2,023 0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

Cottonport racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 707 34.95%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 1,191 58.87%
Native American 19 0.94%
Asian 7 0.35%
Pacific Islander 1 0.05%
Other/Mixed 60 2.97%
Hispanic or Latino 38 1.88%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,023 people, 711 households, and 435 families residing in the town.

Notable people

  • Bill Callegari, Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from northwestern Harris County since 2001; an engineer and businessman in Katy, Texas; born in Cottonport in 1941
  • Moon Ducote, football, baseball, and basketball player and coach, born in Cottonport.
  • Connie Francois Desselle, Avoyelles Parish Clerk of Court, 2019–Present.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cottonport para niños

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