Alexandria is a city in Louisiana, U.S.A.; it is the parish seat of Rapides Parish, on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 46,342. It is the largest municipality of Greater Alexandria (population 123,211) along with Pineville, Ball, Boyce, Woodworth, & Lecompte.
Alexandria is located at 31°17'34"N, 92°27'33"W.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 69.9 km2 (27.0 mi2). 68.4 km2 (26.4 mi2) of it is land and 1.5 km2 (0.6 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 2.15% water.
Alexandria is on a level plain in the center of the Louisiana Longleaf Pine forests, in which pine is interspersed with various hardwoods. In the immediate vicinity of the city, cotton, sugar, alfalfa and garden vegetables are cultivated.
As of the census of 2000, there are 46,342 people, 17,816 households, and 11,722 families residing in the city. The population density is 677.5/km2 (1,754.6/mi2). There are 19,806 housing units at an average density of 289.6/km2 (749.9/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 42.60% White, 54.75% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 17,816 households out of which 31.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% are married couples living together, 23.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% are non-families. 30.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.50 and the average family size is 3.13.
In the city the population is spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 77.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $26,097, and the median income for a family is $31,978. Males have a median income of $29,456 versus $20,154 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,242. 27.4% of the population and 23.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 37.7% of those under the age of 18 and 18.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Originally home to a community supporting activities of the adjacent Spanish outpost of Post du Rapides, the area developed as a vibrant yet sometimes debaucherous assemblage of traders and merchants in the agricultural lands bordering the mostly unsettled areas to the north, and providing a link to from the south to the El Camino Real and then larger settlement of Natchitoches. Alexander Fulton, a Pennsylvania businessman, received a land grant from Spain in 1785 and the first organized settlement was made at that time. In 1805. Fulton and business partner Thomas Harris Maddox laid out the town plan and named the town after Fulton's infant daughter who died around that time. It was first incorporated as a town in 1818 and received a city charter in 1882.
Source:
AlexandriaLouisiana.com
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