Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Rapides Parish, Louisiana | |
|---|---|
| Parish of Rapides Paroisse des Rapides (French) | |
Upper portion of the Rapides Parish Courthouse in Alexandria | |
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Flag | |
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana | |
Louisiana's location within the U.S. | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Region | Central Louisiana |
| Founded | 1807 (219 years ago) |
| Named after | The local river rapids |
| Parish seat (and largest city) | Alexandria |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,362 sq mi (3,530 km2) |
| • Land | 1,318 sq mi (3,410 km2) |
| • Water | 44 sq mi (110 km2) |
| • percentage | 3.2 sq mi (8.3 km2) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 130,023 |
| • Density | 98.65/sq mi (38.09/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 318/457 |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | Rapides Parish Police Jury |
Rapides Parish (/ˈræpiːdz/) (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. The parish seat and largest city is Alexandria, which developed along the Red River of the South. Rapides is the French word for "rapids". The parish was created in 1807 after the United States acquired this territory in the Louisiana Purchase.
Rapides Parish is included in the Alexandria metropolitan area, Louisiana.