The population of Grand Coteau, Louisiana is approximately 881. It is located in the St. Landry Parish and is the 177th largest city in the state. Its population is declining, at -0.90% per year, compared to the 2010 census. This decrease is due in large part to an increase in the number of low-income families in the city. The city spans about two square miles, and the population density is about 364 residents per square mile.
The town of Grand Coteau is also home to the Shrine of St. John Berchmans, the town’s patron saint. Visitors can tour the shrine year-round. A convent cemetery is also located on the grounds of the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Several historical places are worth visiting, including the Sacred Heart School, which was built in 1854. Among its many historic landmarks, the Convent of the Sacred Heart is particularly famous.
A new book by photographer John Slaughter captures the unique character of this rural community. It includes pictures of long-time residents, historic structures, and rural vistas. The town is just off the I-49 highway, but it’s home to about 1040 people. Slaughter’s images of Grand Coteau include the historic homes, buildings, and people of the town. In the book, he reveals the rich heritage of this Louisiana town and its time-defying spirituality.
A Jesuit mission in Grand Coteau was founded in 1837. In 1837, the town was known as St. Charles, and the Jesuits opened a college. The name of the school was changed to Grand Coteau after the Jesuits took over the area. While thousands of Confederate troops surrounded the school during the Civil War, the Academy remained intact. This is due in large part to the fact that General Nathaniel Banks, the Union’s first Supreme Court president, had his daughter enrolled at a school in New York. The Jesuit mission was an excellent one.
While visiting Grand Coteau, Louisiana, be sure to take the time to sample the sweet dough pie! This hand-folded pie is so delicious that it’s even proclaimed the Sweet Dough Pie Capital of the State. This event is held on the fourth Saturday in October and attracts thousands of visitors. The town is home to several different Sweet Dough Pies, including fig, blackberry, and lemon. You can also find sweet dough pie shops in Grand Coteau and a quaint downtown area.
In the town, the population was composed of 377 households. Of these, 377 households had children under the age of 18, while 30.1% were headed by married couples. Twenty-four.1% of households had a female householder who was not her husband present. Another thirty-one percent of households were made up of individuals. There were also 12.7% of senior citizens living alone in the town. The average household size was two adults, or approximately 83.7% males to every 1100 females.