Paradis, Louisiana

Paradis is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,252 at the 2000 census. Edouard Paradis, originally from Quebec, Canada, came down in 1856 to provide crossties for the railroads being constructed in St. Charles Parish. Edouard Paradis died in 1902. In 1906, his widow sold the town's site to Ortman W. Crawford, who requested permission to name the community "Paradis". Investors from Illinois, led by Julius Funk, developed plans for a model community at Paradis. They donated property for what became known as the Youngs School, a four-room school named for Dr. Luther Youngs (a school board member), and paid half the cost for it, the school at the time being largest in the system.The development plan for Paradis also included an attempt to relocate the parish seat of government to Paradis, and the addition of a high school, sidewalks and street lighting. Eventually, only the sidewalks and street lights became reality, and most of that has since disappeared.[1]

Geography

Paradis is located at 29°52′40″N 90°26′8″W (29.877743, -90.435598).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,252 people, 438 households, and 342 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 953.8 people per square mile (369.0/km²). There were 476 housing units at an average density of 362.6 per square mile (140.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.25% White, 4.87% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.40% of the population.

There were 438 households out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the CDP, the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $36,912, and the median income for a family was $37,500. Males had a median income of $32,143 versus $27,143 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,861. About 5.7% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

St. Charles Parish Public School System operates public schools:

• R. J. Vial Elementary School (grades 3-5) - Opened in 1975
• J.B. Martin Middle School (grades 6-8)
• Hahnville High School in Boutte