Rayville, Louisiana

Rayville is a town in and the parish seat of Richland Parish in northeastern Louisiana, United States.[3] The population, which is 69 percent African American, was 4,234 at the 2000 census, but it had declined by nearly 13 percent in 2010 to 3,695.[4]

Rayville, Louisiana
Town
Town of Rayville
Bodock tree, the oldest in Rayville, is located between the Civic Center and the Rhymes Memorial Library.
Location of Rayville in Richland Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Coordinates: 32°28′25″N 91°45′27″W
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishRichland
Government
 • MayorHarry Lewis (D)

Police Chief Willie Lee Robinson, Sr. (D)
Rayville City Council: James "Jay" Brakefield (No Party)
Paula Buie Crumpton (D)

Debra K. James (D)
Area
 • Total2.34 sq mi (6.06 km2)
 • Land2.31 sq mi (5.98 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation
82 ft (25 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total3,695
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
3,474
 • Density1,503.90/sq mi (580.75/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
71269
Area code(s)318
FIPS code22-63680
Websitewww.townofrayville.com

The City Hall, located next to the U.S. Post Office across from U.S. Highway 80, is named for former Rayville Mayor Joe Kalil (1922–1996).

History

Rayville was named for John Ray.

Geography

Rayville is located at 32°28′25″N 91°45′27″W (32.473580, -91.757387).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 square miles (5.9 km2), of which 2.2 square miles (5.8 km2) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km2) (1.32%) is water.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1870106—
1880316198.1%
189036615.8%
19101,079—
19201,49938.9%
19302,97698.5%
19402,412−19.0%
19503,13830.1%
19604,05229.1%
19703,962−2.2%
19804,61016.4%
19904,411−4.3%
20004,234−4.0%
20103,695−12.7%
2019 (est.)3,474[2]−6.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 4,234 people, 1,504 households, and 1,004 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,880.1 people per square mile (726.6/km2). There were 1,629 housing units at an average density of 723.4 per square mile (279.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 31.44% White, 67.26% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 1,504 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.5% were married couples living together, 34.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.3% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 76.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 66.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $14,309, and the median income for a family was $16,480. Males had a median income of $21,000 versus $16,107 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,589. About 44.2% of families and 48.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 65.9% of those under age 18 and 28.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools in Richland Parish are operated by the Richland Parish School Board. Three campuses serve the town of Rayville - Rayville Elementary School (Grades PK-6), Rayville Junior High School (Grades 7-8), and Rayville High School (Grades 9-12). Rayville is also served by Riverfield Academy (Grades PK-12) a non-denominational private school.

Notable people
  • Rayville welcome sign
  • Kalil Municipal Building is named for former Rayville Mayor Joe Kalil.
  • Rayville Civic Center
  • U.S. Post Office in Rayville
  • Richland State Bank in Rayville; bank president Jerome Vascocu
  • Abandoned Joy Theater on U.S. Highway 80 in Rayville
  • First Baptist Church of Rayville; pastor Eddie Wren
  • Rayville Presbyterian Church at 824 Julia Street

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. "Rayville, Louisiana Population". censusviewer.com. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
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