Comprehensive Community Assessment Report: Lafayette Parish, Louisiana

This report presents a comprehensive community assessment of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. It begins with a historical overview, tracing the area's indigenous roots, colonization, and significant events, including the rise of agriculture and the oil industry. The assessment then delves into the physical environment, detailing its location, geographical features, climate, and transportation infrastructure. The population section provides demographic data, including population size, density, gender distribution, age categories, and ethnic composition. Vital statistics, such as birth rates, are also analyzed. The report further examines employment opportunities, economic growth, labor market conditions, and social organizations within the community. It also addresses unemployment rates, poverty levels, educational attainment, domestic status, and the local government structure. The assessment incorporates various figures and data visualizations to support its findings, offering a detailed understanding of the community's characteristics and dynamics. Overall, the report serves as a thorough analysis of Lafayette Parish, highlighting its key features and providing a valuable resource for understanding the community's health and well-being.

RUNNING HEAD; PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE
UNIVERSITY
NAME
Assignment
Community Assessment Part 1
Tutor

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PART 1
Community history
The original inhabitancies of Lafayette Parish were the indigenous Atakapa-Ishak,
Choctaw, Chitimacha, and Opelousas who inhabited the area before the settling of the
Canadian and European settlers. Towards the end of 18th century, Spanish, Acadian and
French colonists started occupying the backs of river Vermilion. Louisiana legislature in
1823 initiated the carving off of the western half of St Martin Parish and named after the
Marquis de Lafayette, French hero revolutionists. Towards 19th century, significant events
occurred, in 1901, South-western Louisiana Industrial Institute opened, in 1927, Dwaye’s
cafe opened, an oil center was open in 1953, in 1968, there was creation of CODOFIL, in
1977, the inaugural festival of Acadians took place, further in 1983, Downtown Lafayette
was revitalized, in 1985, the Cajun dome was opened. In 1987, the first festival referred to as
International de Louisiana was initiated, in 1999, river ranch was opened, while in 2004, the
Acadian center for arts premier was opened Brand et al., 2011).
The area originated from agriculture especially sugar plantations which are dependent
on the labor of enslaved Africans. As per the census data of the US, it is estimated that 41%
of the population in Lafayette were enslaved in the year 1830 with the figure increasing to
49.6% in the year 1860. The town underwent transformation and named changed. The city
continued to expand its growth on agriculture into the early 20th century. In the 1940s, oil
discovery was made at the parish; petroleum and natural gas were found in abundance
leading to rising in industries.
Lafayette is one of the Acadian, the area of Cajun. Its development was precipitated by
the relocation of the Acadians after the expulsion of the British soldiers in the eastern side in
the late 18th century (Martin, 2007).

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The physical environment of the community
Lafayette Parish community is located 30°13′N 92°2′W, with an elevation angle of 36
feet. The total area is 127 km2 which 0.26 km2 under water. It is located in the western Gulf
of the coastal plain. The geographical position is part of the earlier quaternary periods. At this
time, the Mississippi River passed through a valley between Lafayette and Baton Rogue.
Lafayette is located at the western side of the valley.
Lafayette does not have an encounter with floods apart from the local flash flooding.
There is great development on both sides of the Vermillion River. The climate condition of
Lafayette is best described as humid subtropical. Classification based on Koppen Climate,
Lafayette has around precipitation during the summer period. It has a recording of the high
temperature is 42 degrees Celsius. The climate of Lafayette is characterized by hot summers
and warm and damp winters.
The transport system of Lafayette is aided by the Lafayette Regional Airport which is
situated on the US Highway situated on the southern city with regular trips to US states. It
has an interstate highway, passenger rail, intercity passenger system, and public transit and
bicycle facilities. Lafayette has a varied set of media print, radio, and television.
The population of the community
The total Population Size is 126,848 as per statistics of 2017. The population density is
2,569 persons while the homeless population accounts for 337. Lafayette has a median age of
34 years with poverty levels of 19%. Lafayette Louisiana has approximately 83% Marital
Status of Adults living together (U.S. Census Bureau, 2017).

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Population status
Gender distribution of Lafayette population indicates that there are 51.3% female being
the majority compared to male population with 48.7% as depicted on figure 1 below;
48.70%51.30% Male
Female
Figure 1 Gender distribution of the population
Population demographics
The population demographics below illustrate that majority of the population between
18-64 years represent the largest portion of the population. Further population under the age
of 18 years account for 23.7% as depicted on figure 2 below;
under 5 years Under 18 years 65 years and
above 18 years - 64 years
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
7.00%
23.70%
12.60%
56.70%
Figure 2 Population distribution by age categories

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Ethnic Population
Lafayette population entail a mix of different ethnic backgrounds. Statistics obtained
shows that the whites are the dominant ethnic population accounting for 65.5% followed by
African-American with 26.5%. The least ethnic population are the Native Hawaiian as
observed on the distribution graph below
White
African America
American Indian
Asian
Native Hawain
Hispanic/Latino
Two or more races
Ethnic Population
1.00% 10.00% 100.00%
65.50%
26.50%
4.00%
1.90%
1.00%
4.80%
1.50%
Figure 3 Ethnic population distribution of the Lafayette population
Lafayette Vital Statistics
The birth rate indicators illustrate that there was a smooth increase of births from
2013 to 2016. A slight decline was noted towards 2017 as observed from the figure below;
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Year
5,200
5,400
5,600
5,800
6,000
6,200
6,400
5,610
5,899
6,139
6,329 6,238
Births
Births
Figure 4 Birth trends of the population

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Employment Occupations
The employment status of the population indicate that the highest employment
opportunity for the population were sales job and administrative jobs while the least job
opportunity were careers associated with physical and social science arena as observed in the
figure below;
Economic status
Education tarining and Library
Management
Sales
Administrative
Business and Financial
Arts and Recreation
Legal
Health practitioners
Architecture Engeneering
Computer and Mathematics
Physical and social science
Health Technicians
Food service
Cleaning and Maintenance
Construction and extraction
Installation services
Transport
Production
Personal care servcies
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
0.14
Figure 5 Employment status of Lafayette population
The rate of growth at Lafayette
Lafayette Metropolitan data indicates that there has been continuous growth. In the year
2018, the majority of the industries experienced an increase in wage and employment rise,
with low unemployment rates. The state has experienced incremental population growth since
the year 2000. The strong and diverse environment offers the needed growth for the economy
to grow. The strengths displayed here and the geographical location has made Lafayette be an
attractive area to work.
There is an observed sustained growth in Lafayette. There is a gin on additional 2,140
workers which are distributed across the different sectors. The job growth majorly focuses on
the manufacturing sector with other sectors experiencing growth response in the uptake of
employees. During the first quarters of 2017 and 2018, the average income on a weekly basis

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has increased by 5% within Lafayette. Many sectors of the economy are experiencing growth
and increase in wage incomes levels (Lafayette forecast, 2019).
Labour states
The population growth sustains a strong economy which gives a metro area eager to
employ staff. There was an increase of 4,452 jobs increase in the labor market with a
reduction of 275 workers from the unemployment rolls. Compared to other years, there has
been a stronger growth in the labor market; this signals the appetite for workers. The outlook
of Lafayette expresses the need for new workers and attracting a tight labor market. The
country is in dire need of additional workforce as growth development is taking shape.
Economic growth
There is an emerging economic growth across Lafayette. The economic outlook has
expressed concern on the region gaining a full employment status. In the year 2018,
employers received workers despite a tight labor market. The observed attraction of the
workers put a strain on the housing unit as the construction sector is no moving as first as it
could be.
Social Organization of the Community
Lafayette has a wide range of economic bases and great business community who have
inspired the growth of the state. Members of the business community such as the 100 black
men, Asian chamber of commerce, Greater Southwest black chamber of commerce, Lafayette
commission on the needs of the Women, Economic Development Authority, Institute of
education Foundation Leadership Institute of Acadian, United Way of Acadian among others
have inspired the economic growth progress.
The top employers at Lafayette LA include the Parish School System, Consolidated
government, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Lafayette General medical center, Wal mat
stores, Baker Hughes, WHC Inc and Wood Group Production.

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Lafayette has embarked on diversification through its positioning of the medical,
transport system, education and retail hub. The resilience of the economy is well attributed to
the entrepreneurial spirit and energetic workforce. With this effect, the economy is fostered
supporting the growing population and boosting unemployment rate.
Lafayette offers an important opportunity for essential elements which ensures growth
and development for the business community. Its strategic location, with a world-class
workforce, pro-business environment and unmatched quality of life offers a good
environment for business. The established attributes complement well with good
infrastructure, quality real estate which makes Lafayette a unique place to engage in business.
Unemployment rate
Lafayette has an unemployment rate of 4.6%. The US average is 3.9%. Lafayette has
seen the job market increase by 0.3% over the last year.
Figure 6 Unemployment analysis

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Poverty levels
According to statistics by the US, it is estimated that 19.6% live below poverty levels.
Among children, it is estimated that 28% live in poverty conditions while seniors above 65
years have 145 poverty levels.
Education levels
There are public schools which are currently run by the Lafayette parish school system.
It has a total of 33 schools, twenty-one elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and 7 high
schools. Private schools present belong to the Roman Catholic population as it is
predominantly Catholic Faithfull’s. There exist one university and 2 vocational colleges. The
University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the second largest facility having a high enrollment
rate of 17,508.
No Degree High school Some College Bachelors Post graduate
16%
38%
24%
155%
7%
Figure 7 Education status

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Domestic status
The domestic status of Lafayette population shows that majority are married. Further,
interestingly there is large proportion of the population who are never married in both sexes
as observed in the graph below;
Never Married Now married Divorced Widowed
39%
48%
9%
3%
32%
46%
13%
9%
Male
Female
Figure 8 Marital status
Government and politics
After the consolidation of the city and the parish level governments, the chief executive
of Lafayette is referred to as city-parish president. Not all the residents like the consolidated
type of government; however the year 2011, a proposal to reject a proposal aimed at
separating parish and city governments were rejected. Under the current system of
governance, Lafayette city and Parish of Lafayette have a common body with an executive
officer governing the region. Some of the neighboring municipalities have adopted this kind
of system and adopted own planning and zoning guidelines. The rural and suburban cities and
town have continuously maintained the city council independence. Lafayette Parish School

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system performs its operations independently and its jurisdiction is in ling to Parish of
Lafayette.
Religion
Lafayette believes strongly in religious traditions. This is illustrated by the presence of
Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Crossroads Church in Lafayette, First Baptist Church, Our
Saviors Church, First United Methodist, and Asbury United Methodist.
Recreation facilities
Lafayette has various places and locations which offers recreation atmosphere and
interesting places. These places include Acadian Center for the Alexandre Mouton House
museum, Borden ice cream, juice inn, Girard Park among other exciting locations.

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Pictorials
The Cajundome Opens
The Acadiana Center for the Arts Premiers

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Lafayette recreation center

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References
Brand, A. L., & Villavaso, S. D. (2011). Revising Palermo: The Twentieth Anniversary of
Louisiana's Landmark Land Use Rights and Zoning Decision and Its Legacy for
Planning in Louisiana. Loy. L. Rev., 57, 113.
Lafayette forecast 2019, (2019). Accessed on 11/03/2019. Retrieved from HTTP;
http://www.ibrc.indiana.edu/ibr/2018/outlook/lafayette.html
Martin, Michael (2007). Historic Lafayette: An Illustrated History of Lafayette & Lafayette
Parish. San Antonio, Texas: Historical Publishing Network. pp. 5–7, 10, 11.
ISBN 9781893619760
Quick Facts; Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, (2019). Accessed on 11/03/2019 at HTTP;
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/lafayetteparishlouisiana
U.S. Census Bureau (2017). American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Retrieved from
Census Reporter Profile page for Lafayette, LA Metro Area
http://censusreporter.org/profiles/31000US29180-lafayette-la-metro-area/