Iota, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Iota is a town in Acadia Parish
, Louisiana
, United States
. The population was 1,376 at the 2000 census. Its previous names were "Pointe Aux Loups" (French for Wolves' Point) and "Cartville".
Iota is part of the Crowley
Micropolitan Statistical Area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,376 people, 524 households, and 374 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,084.1 people per square mile (418.3/km²). There were 583 housing units at an average density of 459.3 per square mile (177.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.94% White, 11.26% African American, 0.15% Asian, 0.22% from other races
, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.
There were 524 households out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples
living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $24,107, and the median income for a family was $31,328. Males had a median income of $31,538 versus $19,479 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $11,916. About 21.4% of families and 25.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.5% of those under age 18 and 23.6% of those age 65 or over.
Iota was represented in a contemporary novel called "No Place Louisiana," by Martin Pousson published in 2002.
s," for example, in the New Orleans Mardi Gras festivities, in Iota and surrounding areas, Cajuns celebrate the more traditional ritual of the Courir de Mardi Gras
riders. Disguised in home-made costumes which often feature faux tatters and tall conical caps known as capuchon
s, the townspeople maraude through the surrounding countryside incognito, speaking only Cajun French
, begging for ingredients for a chicken and sausage gumbo
. The gumbo is the centerpiece of the community supper the same night, where the Mardi Gras riders sing the Chanson de Mardi Gras, an old song in Cajun French sung for generations, then take off their masks and reveal, ostensibly for the first time that day, the identity of each rider.
serves Iota.
Iota High School
is in Iota.
St. Francis Catholic School
Acadia Parish, Louisiana
Acadia Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Crowley. According to the 2010 census, the population of Acadia Parish is 61,773. The parish was founded from parts of St...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,376 at the 2000 census. Its previous names were "Pointe Aux Loups" (French for Wolves' Point) and "Cartville".
Iota is part of the Crowley
Crowley, Louisiana
Crowley is a city in and the parish seat of Acadia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 14,225 at the 2000 census. The city is noted for its annual International Rice Festival. Crowley has the nickname of "Rice Capital of America", because at one time it was a major center for...
Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Iota is located at 30°19′43"N 92°29′35"W (30.328500, -92.493123).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,376 people, 524 households, and 374 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,084.1 people per square mile (418.3/km²). There were 583 housing units at an average density of 459.3 per square mile (177.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.94% White, 11.26% African American, 0.15% Asian, 0.22% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.
There were 524 households out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $24,107, and the median income for a family was $31,328. Males had a median income of $31,538 versus $19,479 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $11,916. About 21.4% of families and 25.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.5% of those under age 18 and 23.6% of those age 65 or over.
Iota was represented in a contemporary novel called "No Place Louisiana," by Martin Pousson published in 2002.
Arts and culture
Iota is home to the annual "Tee Mamou/Iota Mardi Gras Folklife Festival" during Mardi Gras Day, attracting thousands of tourists and visitors. The festival offers authentic Cajun food, crafts, and music. In contrast to the elaborate costumes and regal "kreweKrewe
A krewe is an organization that puts on a parade and or a ball for the Carnival season. The term is best known for its association with New Orleans Mardi Gras, but is also used in other Carnival celebrations around the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida, and...
s," for example, in the New Orleans Mardi Gras festivities, in Iota and surrounding areas, Cajuns celebrate the more traditional ritual of the Courir de Mardi Gras
Courir de Mardi Gras
The Courir de Mardi Gras is a traditional Mardi Gras event held in many Cajun communities of south Louisiana on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Courir de Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday Run". The rural Mardi Gras celebration is based on early begging rituals, similar to those still...
riders. Disguised in home-made costumes which often feature faux tatters and tall conical caps known as capuchon
Capuchon
A capuchon is a cone-shaped ceremonial hat worn during the Mardi Gras celebration in the Cajun areas of southwestern Louisiana, known as the Courir de Mardi Gras. The rural celebration is based on early begging rituals, similar to those still celebrated by mummers, wassailers and celebrants of...
s, the townspeople maraude through the surrounding countryside incognito, speaking only Cajun French
Cajun French
Cajun French is a variety or dialects of the French language spoken primarily in Louisiana, specifically in the southern and southwestern parishes....
, begging for ingredients for a chicken and sausage gumbo
Gumbo
Gumbo is a stew or soup that originated in southern Louisiana during the 18th century. It consists primarily of a strongly-flavored stock, meat or shellfish, a thickener, and the vegetable holy trinity of celery, bell peppers, and onions...
. The gumbo is the centerpiece of the community supper the same night, where the Mardi Gras riders sing the Chanson de Mardi Gras, an old song in Cajun French sung for generations, then take off their masks and reveal, ostensibly for the first time that day, the identity of each rider.
Education
Acadia Parish School BoardAcadia Parish School Board
Acadia Parish School Board is a school district headquartered in Crowley, Louisiana, United States. The district serves all of Acadia Parish.- School uniforms :...
serves Iota.
Iota High School
Iota High School
Iota High School is a high school located in Iota, Louisiana, United States. The school is a part of the Acadia Parish School Board.-School uniforms:Beginning in the 1999-2000 school year the school district requires all students to wear school uniforms....
is in Iota.
St. Francis Catholic School