Acadia Parish, Louisiana
Acadia Parish sits in the heart of southern Louisiana, near Lafayette, and is part of the traditional Acadiana region known for its strong Cajun and Acadian heritage.
The parish takes its name from the Acadians, French settlers who were exiled from what is now Canada and later established communities in Louisiana. Agriculture has long shaped the landscape, with rice fields stretching across the prairie and crawfish becoming another important local crop.
People here know how to work hard and celebrate just as enthusiastically. Crowley, the parish seat, became an important center of rice farming and milling and is closely associated with Louisiana’s rice-growing heritage. The area also hosts the International Rice Festival, a major annual celebration of that agricultural tradition.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Parish Name | Acadia Parish |
| Parish Seat | Crowley |
| Etymology | Named after the Acadians (Cajuns), French-speaking settlers who migrated from Acadia to Louisiana in the 18th century |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Crowley, Rayne, Church Point, Iota, Estherwood, Morse, Branch, Egan, Mermentau, Midland, Richard |
| Interstates and Highways | I-10, US-90, US-190, LA-13, LA-91, LA-98 |
| FIPS Code | 22-001 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 657 square miles (655 sq mi land, 2 sq mi water) |
| Adjacent Parishes (and Direction) | Evangeline Parish (North), St. Landry Parish (Northeast), Lafayette Parish (East), Vermilion Parish (South), Jefferson Davis Parish (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| State | Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 30.2957° N, 92.4142° W |
| Major Landmarks | Crowley Historic District, Acadia Parish Courthouse, Rayne Frog Festival Grounds, Le Vieux Presbytère Museum, Grand Opera House of the South |
| Population | Approximately 62,000 |
