Vermilion Parish, LA

Vermilion Parish, Louisiana
Parish
Location within the state of Louisiana
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Founded	1844
Parish seat	Abbeville
Area
• Total	1,540 sq mi (3,990 km2)
• Land	1,170 sq mi (3,020 km2)
• Water	370 sq mi (970 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	57,999
• Density	38/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)

Vermilion Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 57,999. The parish seat is Abbeville. The parish was founded in 1844.

History

Vermilion Parish was created on March 25, 1844, from parts of Lafayette Parish and St. Martin Parish. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Attakapas.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 3,990 square kilometers, of which 3,020 square kilometers is land and 970 square kilometers (24.3%) is water. The parish is part of the Acadiana region, known for its Cajun culture and heritage.

Adjacent parishes

• Acadia Parish (north)
• Lafayette Parish (northeast)
• Iberia Parish (east)
• St. Mary Parish (southeast)
• Cameron Parish (west)
• Jefferson Davis Parish (northwest)

National protected areas

• Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuge
• Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 57,999 people, 21,000 households, and 15,000 families residing in the parish. The population density was 19 people per square kilometer. The racial makeup of the parish was 80% White, 15% African American, 1% Native American, 1% Asian, and 3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5% of the population.

Economy

The economy of Vermilion Parish is largely based on agriculture, fishing, and oil and gas. The parish is known for its rice and crawfish production. The Port of Vermilion is a significant hub for commercial fishing and seafood processing.

Education

The parish is served by the Vermilion Parish School Board, which operates several public schools in the area. Higher education is provided by nearby institutions such as University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Communities

Cities

• Abbeville (parish seat)

Towns

• Delcambre
• Erath
• Gueydan
• Kaplan

Villages

• Maurice

Unincorporated communities

• Forked Island
• Intracoastal City
• Pecan Island

Notable people

• Maurice Edwin Landry, former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
• Ernest Joseph "E.J." Broussard, Major League Baseball pitcher

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana
• List of parishes in Louisiana

Also see

► Healthcare providers in Louisiana

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