Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Caddo Parish
Parish
Parish of Caddo
Caddo Parish Courthouse in Shreveport
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Region	North
Founded	January 18, 1838
Named for	Caddo Native Americans
Parish seat (and largest city)	Shreveport
Incorporated municipalities	11 (total) 1 city, 5 towns, 5 villages (located entirely or partially within parish boundaries)
Area
• Total	2,430 km2 (937 sq mi)
• Land	2,280 km2 (879 sq mi)
• Water	150 km2 (58 sq mi)
• percentage	16 km2 (6.2 sq mi)
Population  (2020)
• Total	237,848
• Density	98/km2 (250/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code	318
Congressional district	4th
Website	official website

Caddo Parish (French: Paroisse de Caddo) (/ˈkædoʊ/) is a parish located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Louisiana. According to the 2020 U.S. census, the parish had a population of 237,848.^[1] The parish seat and largest city is Shreveport, which developed along the Red River.^[2]

The city of Shreveport is the economic and cultural center for the tri-state region of the Ark-La-Tex containing Caddo Parish. Caddo Parish is included in the Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan statistical area.

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In 1838, Caddo Parish was created by territory taken from Natchitoches Parish; the legislature named it for the indigenous Caddo Indians who had lived in the area. Most were forced out during Indian Removal in the 1830s.

With European-American development, the parish became a center of cotton plantations. Planters developed these along the waterways, with clearing and later cultivation and processing by thousands of enslaved African-American laborers. Shreveport, the parish seat, became a center of government, trade and law.

An armory was constructed in Shreveport before the American Civil War. This city served as the state capital after Union forces had seized Baton Rouge. Locals have referred to the armory as "Fort Humbug".

After the Civil War, and particularly after Reconstruction, whites in the parish used violence and intimidation against blacks to suppress Republican voting and re-establish white supremacy. The parishes in northwestern Louisiana had a high rate of violence and lynchings. From 1877 through the early 20th century, there were 48 lynchings of African Americans in Caddo Parish; this was the second-highest total in the state after Lafourche Parish, and nearly twice as high as the lowest parishes among the top six.^[3] The victims included Jennie Steers, a domestic servant hanged by a white lynch mob in July 1903, for allegedly poisoning her employer's daughter.^[4]

In 1920 the Daughters of the Confederacy, who were memorializing the Civil War, designated the armory as "Fort Turnball". During World War II, the government used it as a mobilization site for men who had been drafted and recruited.

In the early twentieth century, the oil industry developed here, with a concentration of related businesses in Shreveport. Numerous oil wells were constructed across southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana.^[5]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 937 square miles (2,430 km²), of which 978 square miles (2,530 km²) is land and 58 square miles (150 km²) (6.2%) is water.^[6]

• Interstate 20
  • Interstate 220
• Interstate 49
• Future Interstate 69
• U.S. Highway 71
• U.S. Highway 79
• U.S. Highway 80
• U.S. Highway 171
• Louisiana Highway 1
• Louisiana Highway 3132

• Red River National Wildlife Refuge (part)

• Shreveport (parish seat and largest municipality)

• Blanchard
• Greenwood
• Mooringsport
• Oil City
• Vivian

• Belcher
• Gilliam (smallest municipality)
• Hosston
• Ida
• Rodessa

• Lakeview (suburb of Shreveport)

• Bethany (partly in Panola County, Texas)
• Conn
• Dixie
• Forbing
• Keithville
• Mira
• Mrytis
• North Rodessa
• Zylks

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	5,282		—
1850	8,884		68.2%
1860	12,140		36.7%
1870	21,714		78.9%
1880	26,296		21.1%
1890	31,555		20.0%
1900	44,499		41.0%
1910	58,200		30.8%
1920	83,265		43.1%
1930	124,670		49.7%
1940	150,203		20.5%
1950	176,547		17.5%
1960	223,859		26.8%
1970	230,184		2.8%
1980	252,358		9.6%
1990	248,253		−1.6%
2000	252,161		1.6%
2010	254,969		1.1%
2020	237,848		−6.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2019[11]

Caddo Parish, Louisiana – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the U.S. census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000[13]	Pop 2010[14]	Pop 2020[15]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	131,527	121,969	101,727	52.16%	47.84%	42.77%
Black or African American alone (NH)	111,984	119,697	114,769	44.41%	46.95%	48.25%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	904	976	895	0.36%	0.38%	0.38%
Asian alone (NH)	1,718	2,653	3,179	0.68%	1.04%	1.34%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	65	118	120	0.03%	0.05%	0.05%
Other race alone (NH)	169	246	856	0.07%	0.10%	0.36%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	2,044	3,181	7,921	0.81%	1.25%	3.33%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	3,750	6,129	8,381	1.49%	2.40%	3.52%
Total	252,161	254,969	237,848	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

At the publication of the 2020 United States census, there were 237,848 people, 92,589 households, and 56,525 families residing in the parish. At the 2010 U.S. census, there were 254,969 people, 119,502 households, and 68,900 families residing in the parish. According to 2012 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the Caddo Parish population was 257,093. As of 2010, the population density was 286 inhabitants per square mile (110/km²).

At the 2019 American Community Survey, the racial and ethnic makeup of the parish was 49.9% Black or African American, 44.3% non-Hispanic or Latino white, 0.4% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 0.3% some other race, 1.8% two or more races, and 2.9% Hispanic or Latino American of any race.^[16] In 2010, the racial makeup of the parish was 49.1% White, 40.0% Black or African American, 1.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races; 5.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latin American. Since the 2020 census,^[17] its Black or African American, and non-Hispanic white population have remained the predominant groups though Hispanic or Latino Americans rebounded to comprising 3.52% of the population; multiracial Americans also increased to forming 3.69% of the population. Reflecting nationwide trends of greater diversification since the 2020 U.S. census,^[18][19] the Asian American community saw increases among its population as well.

In 2010, there were 119,502 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.20% were married couples living together, 19.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. A total of 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.11. In 2019, there were 92,589 households spread throughout 113,578 housing units; 59.8% of housing units were owner-occupied. The median gross rent was $810.^[16] By 2021, the median sales price for a single-family household was $207,000.^[20]

At the 2010 census, the parish population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 89.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.90 males. At the 2019 American Community Survey, 76.1% were aged 18 and older, and 6.8% of the population were age 5 and under. The median age was 38.8, though 2020 estimates determined the median age declined to 37.8 with a ratio of 89.9 males per 100 females.^[21]

The economy of the parish is primarily centered in the city of Shreveport, with international corporations including Amazon and Walmart stimulating the economy alongside nationwide chains such as Best Buy, Target, and others.^[22] While maintaining these companies in the parish, however, Caddo includes some of the poorest areas in Louisiana by ZIP code. Statistics from 2014 show West Shreveport (71103) was the poorest ZIP code in the state with a per capita income of just $22,267; Queensborough, Shreveport (71109) was the fourth-poorest with $24,966; Caddo Heights/South Highlands (71108) was the fifth-poorest with $25,334; and Rodessa (71069) was the twenty-fourth-poorest with $34,346.^[23] In 2020, an estimated 22.9% of the parish population lived at or below the poverty line with 33.9% of its impoverished population being under 18 years of age.^[24]

Parishwide, the median household income was $42,003 as of 2020's American Community Survey; families had a median income of $55,719; married-couple families $81,114; and nonfamily households $26,204.^[25] Despite the poverty within the parish, however, the Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan statistical area and entire Northwest Louisiana region gained three projects valued at over $750 million in the early 2020s to offset its population and economic decline, and increase recognition.^[26]

The largest employers in the region as of 2017 were:^[27]

	Employer	Employees	Note
1	Caddo Parish Public Schools (CPPS)	9,416
2	Willis-Knighton Medical Center	6,732
3	University Health	6,372
4	LSU Health Shreveport	2,762
5	City of Shreveport	2,569

As parish seat, Shreveport is the site of the parish courthouse. Caddo Parish comprises the 1st Judicial District. Located downtown on Texas Street, the courthouse contains both civil and criminal courts. The current elected judges are: Ramon Lafitte, Craig O. Marcotte, Michael A. Pitman, Karelia R. Stewart, Robert P. Waddell, Erin Leigh W. Garrett, Katherine C. Dorroh, John Mosely, Jr., Brady O'Callaghan, Ramona Emanuel, Charles G. Tutt, and Roy Brun. The Clerk of Court is Mike Spence. Caddo Parish like all parishes in Louisiana utilizes Justices of the Peace and Constables particularly when civil suits below $5,000 or an eviction has been filed.

Caddo Parish has the highest rate of death penalty convictions in the United States.^[28]

United States presidential election results for Caddo Parish, Louisiana^[29]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	44,471	46.96%	48,864	51.60%	1,364	1.44%
2020	48,021	45.77%	55,110	52.53%	1,781	1.70%
2016	49,006	46.32%	53,483	50.55%	3,315	3.13%
2012	52,459	46.94%	58,042	51.93%	1,264	1.13%
2008	52,228	48.07%	55,536	51.11%	896	0.82%
2004	54,292	50.93%	51,739	48.54%	564	0.53%
2000	46,807	48.94%	47,530	49.70%	1,302	1.36%
1996	38,445	38.69%	55,543	55.89%	5,391	5.42%
1992	42,665	41.55%	47,733	46.49%	12,280	11.96%
1988	54,498	57.73%	39,204	41.53%	700	0.74%
1984	63,429	63.68%	35,727	35.87%	445	0.45%
1980	51,202	57.41%	36,422	40.84%	1,560	1.75%
1976	42,627	57.34%	30,593	41.15%	1,120	1.51%
1972	47,215	71.68%	15,649	23.76%	3,003	4.56%
1968	21,224	31.51%	17,675	26.24%	28,463	42.25%
1964	42,197	80.60%	10,158	19.40%	0	0.00%
1960	25,139	54.29%	11,481	24.80%	9,681	20.91%
1956	23,432	60.32%	10,780	27.75%	4,637	11.94%
1952	27,850	65.68%	14,554	34.32%	0	0.00%
1948	4,777	21.60%	5,985	27.06%	11,355	51.34%
1944	5,885	31.29%	12,896	68.56%	29	0.15%
1940	3,124	15.36%	17,192	84.50%	29	0.14%
1936	1,697	12.25%	12,156	87.72%	4	0.03%
1932	1,309	9.66%	12,159	89.71%	85	0.63%
1928	3,665	34.58%	6,934	65.42%	0	0.00%
1924	1,062	17.73%	4,517	75.41%	411	6.86%
1920	401	8.60%	4,264	91.40%	0	0.00%
1916	151	4.63%	3,109	95.25%	4	0.12%
1912	34	1.55%	1,946	88.45%	220	10.00%

Since the late 20th century, most conservative whites in Louisiana have shifted into the Republican Party. Politics largely follows ethnic patterns, as most African Americans have supported national Democratic candidates since regaining the power to vote and other civil rights under Democratic national administrations. Some urban liberal whites also vote Democratic. Since 1992, Caddo Parish has voted for the Democratic nominee in presidential campaigns except for 2004 when George W. Bush won the parish narrowly over John Kerry. Notably the city of Shreveport is the base for Democratic strength, while surrounding white-majority suburban areas are aligned with the Republican Party.^[30]

The Caddo Parish School Board operates public schools.^[31]

The parish also has fourteen private schools as of 2018.^[32] It is in the service area of Bossier Parish Community College,^[33] though the private Centenary College of Louisiana and LSU's Shreveport campus are also prominent institutions of higher education.

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections operated the Forcht-Wade Correctional Center in Keithville, an unincorporated section of Caddo Parish.^[34] As the state succeeded in reducing the number of prisoners, it closed this facility in July 2012.^[35]

The Caddo Correctional Center is a full-service parish jail rated at a capacity of 1,500 beds. Constructed in 1994, this facility was designed to successfully manage a large number of inmates with a minimum of personnel. The Caddo Correctional Center is the largest jail in the Ark-La-Tex and the only "direct supervision" facility in the state.^{[citation needed]}

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Caddo Parish, Louisiana
• USS Caddo Parish (LST-515)
• Jasper K. Smith, former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives 1944–1948 and 1952–1964, and former city attorney of Vivian

• Caddo Parish government's website

32°35′N 93°53′W / 32.58°N 93.88°W / 32.58; -93.88