Rapides Parish, Louisiana

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Rapides Parish
Upper portion of the Rapides Parish Courthouse in Alexandria
Upper portion of the Rapides Parish Courthouse in Alexandria
Map of Louisiana highlighting Rapides Parish
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Map of the United States highlighting Louisiana
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°12′N 92°32′W / 31.2°N 92.54°W / 31.2; -92.54
Country United States
State Louisiana
Founded1807
Named forThe local river rapids
SeatAlexandria
Largest cityAlexandria
Area
 • Total1,361 sq mi (3,526 km2)
 • Land1,320 sq mi (3,420 km2)
 • Water41 sq mi (106 km2)  3.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total130,023
 • Density98.5/sq mi (38.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code318
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.rppj.com

Rapides Parish (French: Paroisse des Rapides) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 130,023.[1] The parish seat is Alexandria.[2] Rapides is the French spelling of "rapids" and is pronounced ra-PEEDS (I.P.A. [ɹæ.pid͜z]).

The parish was created in 1807 after the United States bought this territory in the Louisiana Purchase.[3]

References[change | change source]

  1. "QuickFacts: Rapides Parish, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Rapides Parish". Center for Cultural and Eco-Tourism. Retrieved September 6, 2014.