Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, its population is 227,818. It is the seat of East Baton Rouge Parish. Baton Rouge is home to the main campus of Louisiana State University and to Southern University.

Baton Rouge is served by Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.

History

The name Baton Rouge means Red Stick in French. The name comes from a cypress pole dyed red marking the boundary of hunting territory of native tribes when the French first established a settlement here in 1699. Baton Rouge remained a small town throughout the French and Spanish colonial periods. After the United States purchase of Louisiana it grew more rapidly, and was incorporated as a city in 1817, at which time it was the second largest town in Louisiana.

The capital of the State of Louisiana was moved from New Orleans to Baton Rouge in 1849. It was moved back to New Orleans during the American Civil War, and then returned to Baton Rouge in 1882.

In the 1930s a new skyscraper state capital building was built under the direction of Huey P. Long. The old state capital is now a museum.

Geography

Baton Rouge is located at 30°27'29" North, 91°8'25" West (30.458090, -91.140229).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 204.8 km² (79.1 mi²). 199.0 km² (76.8 mi²) of it is land and 5.7 km² (2.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.81% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 227,818 people, 88,973 households, and 52,672 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,144.7/km² (2,964.7/mi²). There are 97,388 housing units at an average density of 489.4/km² (1,267.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 45.70% White, 50.02% African American, 0.18% Native American, 2.62% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 1.72% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 88,973 households out of which 28.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% are married couples living together, 19.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% are non-families. 31.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 3.12.

In the city the population is spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 30 years. For every 100 females there are 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $30,368, and the median income for a family is $40,266. Males have a median income of $34,893 versus $23,115 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,512. 24.0% of the population and 18.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 31.4% of those under the age of 18 and 13.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

• City of Baton Rouge Official Web Site
• Baton-Rouge.com City Guide