Natchitoches, Louisiana

Natchitoches, Louisiana
Les Natchitoches (French)
Exchange Bank in Downtown Natchitoches
Nickname: 
The Destination of Travelers since 1714
Location in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Natchitoches
Natchitoches
Coordinates: 31°44′50″N 93°06′50″W / 31.74722°N 93.11389°W / 31.74722; -93.11389
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishNatchitoches
Settled1714 (1714)
Incorporated as a townFebruary 5, 1819 (1819-02-05)
Founded byLouis Juchereau de St. Denis
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • BodyCity Council
 • MayorRonnie Williams, Jr.
Area
 • Total
26.28 sq mi (68.07 km2)
 • Land22.69 sq mi (58.77 km2)
 • Water3.59 sq mi (9.31 km2)
Elevation
112 ft (34 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
18,039
 • Density795.0/sq mi (306.97/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
71457
Area code318
Interstate
Louisiana Highways
FIPS code22-53545
GNIS feature ID2404352
WebsiteCity of Natchitoches

Natchitoches (/ˈnækətɪʃ/ NAK-ə-tish; French: Les Natchitoches, [le nakitɔʃ]) is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 18,039 at the 2020 census. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the indigenous Natchitoches people. The city was incorporated on February 5, 1819, and is the oldest permanent settlement in the land acquired by the Louisiana Purchase. Natchitoches is home to Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Its sister city is Nacogdoches, Texas.