Leesville, Louisiana

Coordinates: 31°08′37″N 93°16′16″W / 31.14361°N 93.27111°W / 31.14361; -93.27111
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leesville, Louisiana
Downtown Leesville Historic District
Downtown Leesville Historic District
Motto: 
"Best Hometown in the World" [1]
Location of Leesville in Vernon Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Leesville in Vernon Parish, Louisiana.
Coordinates: 31°08′37″N 93°16′16″W / 31.14361°N 93.27111°W / 31.14361; -93.27111
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishVernon
Government
Area
 • Total9.03 sq mi (23.38 km2)
 • Land8.89 sq mi (23.04 km2)
 • Water0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2)
Elevation
254 ft (77 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total5,649
 • Density635.15/sq mi (245.22/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
71446, 71459
Area code337
FIPS code22-43010
WebsiteCity of Leesville, Louisiana

Leesville is a city in, and the parish seat of, Vernon Parish, Louisiana, United States.[3] The population was 5,649 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Fort Johnson South micropolitan area and is additionally served by the Leesville Airport. The city is home to the Fort Johnson (formerly known as Fort Polk) U.S. Army installation.

Geography[edit]

Leesville is located at 31°8′37″N 93°16′16″W / 31.14361°N 93.27111°W / 31.14361; -93.27111 (31.143553, -93.271196)[4] and has an elevation of 254 feet (77.4 m).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.49 square miles (14.2 km2), of which 5.45 square miles (14.1 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (0.55%) is water.

Climate[edit]

This climatic region is typified by hot, humid summers and mild winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Leesville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[6]

Climate data for Leesville, Louisiana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1903–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 84
(29)
88
(31)
92
(33)
93
(34)
99
(37)
104
(40)
108
(42)
110
(43)
109
(43)
98
(37)
90
(32)
88
(31)
109
(43)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 59.8
(15.4)
64.5
(18.1)
71.6
(22.0)
77.9
(25.5)
84.9
(29.4)
90.5
(32.5)
93.0
(33.9)
93.6
(34.2)
88.5
(31.4)
79.8
(26.6)
69.0
(20.6)
61.4
(16.3)
77.9
(25.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) 48.6
(9.2)
52.8
(11.6)
59.8
(15.4)
65.8
(18.8)
73.5
(23.1)
79.4
(26.3)
81.8
(27.7)
81.7
(27.6)
76.5
(24.7)
66.7
(19.3)
56.9
(13.8)
50.3
(10.2)
66.1
(18.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 37.4
(3.0)
41.1
(5.1)
47.9
(8.8)
53.7
(12.1)
62.2
(16.8)
68.2
(20.1)
70.6
(21.4)
69.9
(21.1)
64.6
(18.1)
53.7
(12.1)
44.8
(7.1)
39.2
(4.0)
54.4
(12.4)
Record low °F (°C) 1
(−17)
5
(−15)
17
(−8)
29
(−2)
34
(1)
48
(9)
53
(12)
51
(11)
35
(2)
24
(−4)
15
(−9)
6
(−14)
1
(−17)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.57
(141)
4.60
(117)
5.51
(140)
5.35
(136)
4.76
(121)
4.77
(121)
4.22
(107)
4.22
(107)
4.28
(109)
5.08
(129)
5.32
(135)
5.63
(143)
59.31
(1,506)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 12.6 11.2 10.7 9.0 8.9 11.9 11.6 10.7 8.8 8.5 9.6 11.9 125.4
Source: NOAA[7][8]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19001,148
19102,04378.0%
19202,51823.3%
19303,29130.7%
19402,829−14.0%
19504,67065.1%
19604,6890.4%
19708,92890.4%
19809,0541.4%
19907,638−15.6%
20006,753−11.6%
20106,612−2.1%
20205,649−14.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

2020 census[edit]

Leesville racial composition[10]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 2,632 46.59%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 1,894 33.53%
Native American 49 0.87%
Asian 127 2.25%
Pacific Islander 22 0.39%
Other/Mixed 461 8.16%
Hispanic or Latino 464 8.21%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,649 people, 2,415 households, and 1,266 families residing in the city.

2000 census[edit]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 6,753 people, 2,841 households, and 1,650 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,238.7 inhabitants per square mile (478.3/km2). There were 3,389 housing units at an average density of 621.7 per square mile (240.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 55.49% White, 35.33% African American, 1.47% Native American, 2.09% Asian, 0.56% Pacific Islander, 2.25% from other races, and 2.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.92% of the population.

There were 2,841 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. Nearly 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,864, and the median income for a family was $30,435. Males had a median income of $27,267 versus $21,661 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,360. About 24.5% of families and 28.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.0% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education[edit]

The Vernon Parish School District operates public schools:

  • Hicks High School K-12
  • Pickering Elementary School K-6
  • Pickering High School 7-12
  • West Leesville Elementary School: 1-4
  • East Leesville Elementary School: PK-K
  • Vernon Middle School: 5th and 6th grade
  • Leesville Jr. High: 7th and 8th grade
  • Leesville High School: 9th through 12th grade

The Vernon Parish Public Library operates the Main Library and the Dunbar Branch Library.[12]

Notable people[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "City of Leesville, Louisiana". City of Leesville, Louisiana. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ^ Climate Summary for Leesville, Louisiana
  7. ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  8. ^ "Station: Leesville, LA". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  9. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ "Sexual Predator Policy." (Archive) Vernon Parish Library. Retrieved on March 23, 2013.
  13. ^ "Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2016: Vernon Parish" (PDF). house.louisiana.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  14. ^ "James Armes, III's Biography". ProJect Vote Smart. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  15. ^ "Michael Ford #42". LSU Football. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  16. ^ "Eddie Jerome Fuller". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  17. ^ "Bo Harris". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  18. ^ "Carolyn L. Huntoon". energy.gov. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  19. ^ "Demond Mallet International Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  20. ^ "Kevin Mawae | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved August 21, 2023.

External links[edit]