St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
St. Landry Parish is located in the heart of Cajun Country, about halfway between Lafayette and Alexandria in south-central Louisiana. It’s a place where crawfish boils are simply part of everyday life.
Opelousas serves as the parish seat and claims to be the “Spice Capital of the World.” That’s quite a boast. Prairies and bayous shape much of the landscape here.
You’ll find a mix of small towns and rural communities, each with its own unique character. The Atchafalaya Basin borders the eastern edge, offering excellent opportunities for fishing and wildlife watching.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Parish Name | St. Landry Parish |
| Parish Seat | Opelousas |
| Etymology | Named after Saint Landry, a French saint and bishop |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Opelousas, Eunice, Sunset, Grand Coteau, Port Barre, Krotz Springs, Melville, Washington, Arnaudville, Palmetto |
| Interstates and Highways | I-49, US-190, US-167, LA-1, LA-182 |
| FIPS Code | 22-097 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 939 square miles (924 sq mi land, 15 sq mi water) |
| Adjacent Parishes (and Direction) | Avoyelles Parish (North), Pointe Coupee Parish (East), St. Martin Parish (Southeast), Lafayette Parish (South), Acadia Parish (Southwest), Evangeline Parish (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| State | Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 30.5433° N, 92.0784° W |
| Major Landmarks | St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center, Le Vieux Village, Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, Eunice Depot Museum |
| Population | Approximately 81,000 |
