Vernon Parish, Louisiana

{{short description|Parish in Louisiana, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Vernon Parish, Louisiana | official_name = Parish of Vernon {{native name|fr|Paroisse de Vernon}} | native_name =  | native_name_lang =  | other_name = | settlement_type = [[List of parishes in Louisiana|Parish]] | translit_lang1 = | translit_lang1_type = | translit_lang1_info = | translit_lang1_type1 = | translit_lang1_info1 = | translit_lang1_type2 = | translit_lang1_info2 =  | translit_lang2 = | translit_lang2_type = | translit_lang2_info = | translit_lang2_type1 = | translit_lang2_info1 = | translit_lang2_type2 = | translit_lang2_info2 =  | image_skyline = Vernon Parish courthouse from SE 1.jpg | imagesize = | image_alt = | image_caption = Vernon Parish courthouse in Leesville | image_flag = | flag_size = | flag_alt = | flag_border = | flag_link = | image_seal = Seal of Vernon Parish, Louisiana.png | seal_size = | seal_alt = | seal_link = | seal_type = | image_shield = | shield_size = | shield_alt = | shield_link = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_type = | blank_emblem_size = | blank_emblem_alt = | blank_emblem_link = | etymology = | nickname = | nicknames = | motto = | mottoes = | anthem =  | image_map = Map of Louisiana highlighting Vernon Parish.svg | mapsize = | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within the U.S. state of [[Louisiana]] | image_map1 = Louisiana in United States.svg | mapsize1 = | map_alt1 = | map_caption1 = Louisiana's location within the [[United States|U.S.]] | pushpin_map =  | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_map_caption_notsmall = | pushpin_label =  | pushpin_label_position =  | pushpin_outside = | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_image = | pushpin_overlay = | coordinates =  | coor_pinpoint =  | coordinates_footnotes =  | grid_name =  | grid_position =  | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Louisiana}} | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_name2 = [[Central Louisiana]] | established_title = Founded | established_date = {{Start date and age|1871|3|30|p=fy}} | established_title1 =  | established_date1 =  | established_title2 =  | established_date2 =  | established_title3 = | established_date3 =  | established_title4 = | established_date4 =  | established_title5 = | established_date5 =  | established_title6 = | established_date6 =  | established_title7 = | established_date7 =  | extinct_title = | extinct_date = | founder = | named_for = [[Mount Vernon]] | seat_type = [[County seat|Parish seat]] | seat = [[Leesville, Louisiana|Leesville]] | seat1_type = Largest municipality | seat1 = [[Simpson, Louisiana|Simpson]] (area) Leesville (population) | parts_type = Incorporated municipalities | parts_style =  | parts = 6 (total) | p1 = 1 city, 3 towns, and 2 villages | p2 = ''(located entirely or partially within parish boundaries)'' | government_footnotes =  | government_type = | governing_body = | leader_party = | leader_title = | leader_name =  | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 =  | total_type =  | unit_pref =  | area_footnotes =  | area_magnitude =  | dunam_link =  | area_total_km2 =  | area_total_sq_mi = 1341 | area_total_ha = | area_total_acre = | area_total_dunam =  | area_land_km2 = | area_land_sq_mi = 1328 | area_land_ha = | area_land_acre = | area_land_dunam =  | area_water_km2 = | area_water_sq_mi = 14 | area_water_ha = | area_water_acre = | area_water_dunam =  | area_water_percent = | area_urban_footnotes =  | area_urban_km2 = | area_urban_sq_mi = | area_urban_ha = | area_urban_acre = | area_urban_dunam =  | area_rural_footnotes =  | area_rural_km2 = | area_rural_sq_mi = | area_rural_ha = | area_rural_acre = | area_rural_dunam =  | area_metro_footnotes =  | area_metro_km2 = | area_metro_sq_mi = | area_metro_ha = | area_metro_acre = | area_metro_dunam =  | area_rank = | area_blank1_title = percentage | area_blank1_km2 = | area_blank1_sq_mi = 1.0 | area_blank1_ha = | area_blank1_acre = | area_blank1_dunam =  | area_blank2_title = | area_blank2_km2 = | area_blank2_sq_mi = | area_blank2_ha = | area_blank2_acre = | area_blank2_dunam =  | area_note =  | dimensions_footnotes =  | length_km = | length_mi = | width_km = | width_mi =  | elevation_footnotes =  | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | elevation_point =  | elevation_max_footnotes =  | elevation_max_m = | elevation_max_ft = | elevation_max_point =  | elevation_max_rank = | elevation_min_footnotes =  | elevation_min_m = | elevation_min_ft = | elevation_min_point =  | elevation_min_rank =  | population_footnotes =  | population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]] | population_total = 48750 | pop_est_footnotes = | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 45091 {{loss}} | population_rank = | population_density_km2 =  | population_density_sq_mi = auto | population_urban_footnotes = | population_urban = | population_density_urban_km2 = 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timezone1_location = | timezone2 = | utc_offset2 = | timezone2_DST = | utc_offset2_DST = | timezone2_location =  | postal_code_type =  | postal_code = | postal2_code_type =  | postal2_code = | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = [[Area code 337|337]] | area_codes = | geocode = | iso_code = | registration_plate_type = | registration_plate = | code1_name = | code1_info = | code2_name = | code2_info =  | blank_name_sec1 = Congressional district | blank_info_sec1 = [[Louisiana's 4th congressional district|4th]] | blank1_name_sec1 = | blank1_info_sec1 = | blank2_name_sec1 = | blank2_info_sec1 =  | blank_name_sec2 = | blank_info_sec2 = | blank1_name_sec2 = | blank1_info_sec2 = | blank2_name_sec2 = | blank2_info_sec2 =  | website = {{URL|http://www.vppjla.com/|Vernon Parish Police Jury}} | footnotes = }}

'''Vernon Parish''' (French: ''Paroisse de Vernon'') is a [[List of parishes in Louisiana|parish]] located in the U.S. state of [[Louisiana]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 48,750.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Vernon Parish, Louisiana|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Vernon_Parish,_Louisiana?g=0500000US22115|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 22, 2023}}</ref> The [[County seat|parish seat]] and most populous municipality is [[Leesville, Louisiana|Leesville]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> Bordered on the west by the [[Sabine River (Texas–Louisiana)|Sabine River]], the parish was founded in 1871 during the [[Reconstruction era]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vernon Parish|url=http://ccet.louisiana.edu/tourism/parishes/Central_Louisiana/vernon.html|publisher=Center for Cultural and Eco-Tourism|access-date=September 5, 2014}}</ref>

It was long a center of the timber industry, which harvested pine in the hills and bottomland hardwoods. Construction of a railway to the area in 1897 stimulated the marketing of lumber and businesses in the area.

Since [[World War II]], [[Fort Polk]], formerly Fort Johnson, has been most important to the parish economy. The population of the Leesville area rapidly increased fivefold after the fort was opened. Vernon Parish is part of the [[Fort Polk South, Louisiana|Fort Polk South]], LA [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which is also included in the [[DeRidder, Louisiana|DeRidder]]-Fort Polk South, LA [[DeRidder-Fort Polk South, LA CSA|Combined Statistical Area]].{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

==History== The area comprising Vernon was a part of a tract of land whose control was disputed in the late 18th century between the United States and Spain. They called this land the "[[Neutral Strip (Louisiana)|Neutral Strip]]" and refrained from posting police or military personnel there. As a result, the area became a haven for outlaws. Prior to the United States acquisition of this territory through the [[Louisiana Purchase]] from France in 1803, the primary settlers who came to the area were ethnic French and Spanish.

During this period, Dr. Timothy Burr, a Massachusetts native who had migrated to Louisiana from Mt. Vernon, Ohio, established the community of Burr Ferry at his landing on the Sabine River. This community became known as the "Gateway to [[Louisiana]]" from the west. For decades this area was part of the [[Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], [[Rapides Parish, Louisiana|Rapides]], and [[Sabine Parish, Louisiana|Sabine]] parishes, which were established soon after the US acquired this territory in the early nineteenth century. The timber industry was most important to the local economy, with both pines of the hills and bottomland hardwoods being harvested. Some landowners had their land cleared by slaves to establish plantations for cotton cultivation.

During the American Civil War, an artillery site was constructed nearby. Now called the "Confederate Breast Works", it was manned by the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] to guard against Union movements along the Nolan Trace.<ref>[https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Historic+Nolan+Trace%22&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai= The Nolan Trace]</ref><ref name="chambervernonparish.com">Information in the History section may be found on the [http://www.chambervernonparish.com/custom2.asp?pageid=847 Greater Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce Website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928114812/http://www.chambervernonparish.com/custom2.asp?pageid=847 |date=September 28, 2007 }}.</ref>

On March 30. 1871, the [[Louisiana]] [[Louisiana State Legislature|General Assembly]] passed an act to create Vernon Parish, by taking territory from the three parishes noted above, as population had increased in the area. There are four versions of how the parish was named; the only official State version is that it was named in honor of [[Mount Vernon (plantation)|Mt. Vernon]], the home of [[George Washington]].<ref>The State of Louisiana maintains an official website for each of the State's 64 parishes at [http://www.louisiana.gov/Government/Parish_Vernon/ Louisiana.gov].</ref>

[[Leesville, Louisiana|Leesville]] was designated as the [[parish seat]] of Vernon from the start. It was incorporated February 15, 1900. The city was founded by Dr. Edmund E. Smart, who donated land from his plantation for the development of the parish seat. It was named by Senator John Rowell Smart, his father, in honor of General [[Robert E Lee|Robert E. Lee]]. The Big House from the Smart plantation still stands, where the city has grown up around it. It is located at what today is the corner of Lula and First streets.<ref name="chambervernonparish.com"/>

In folklore there are different claims about who it was named for, including:

* A race horse owned by Joe Moore, one of the members of the committee chosen to name the parish, who said that by naming the parish after his fast horse the committee would insure the growth of the parish. * A popular teacher who had been an officer in the [[Royal Navy]], only mentioned as "Mr. Vernon". The decision was made to avoid disputes among the parish founders, each of whom wanted to name it after himself. * A mule pulling a cart past a store in which the committee was arguing over the name while drinking. To preserve his whiskey the storekeeper suggested they ask a man driving a cart his mule's name, which the man said was Vernon.<ref>All three are found in: {{cite book|title=Tall Pines II: A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People|last=Wise|first=Erbon|lccn=87-51644|oclc=18715154}}</ref>

[[File:1895 Vernon Parish.jpg|thumb|Vernon Parish map, 1895.<ref>The map may be found at [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005507/http://www.livgenmi.com/1895/LA/Parish/vernon.htm this website]; it was researched and posted by Pam Rietsch.</ref>]] [[File:VernonParishCHAnnex-01.jpg|right|thumb|Old First National Bank Building in downtown [[Leesville, Louisiana|Leesville]], LA, now the Courthouse Annex building.]]

In the late 1890s the timber industry, which was the dominant industry in the parish from its creation, began to boom with the construction of the [[Kansas City Southern Railway]] in 1897. It increased access to markets. The railway continues to operate in the early 21st century.<ref name="chambervernonparish.com"/>

===20th century to present=== In the period after World War I, Vernon Parish became the site of two socialist-based communities. The Llano del Rio Cooperative Colony<ref>Not to be confused with the [[Llano del Rio]] established in [[Antelope Valley]], California in 1915 and abandoned in 1917.</ref> developed as [[New Llano, Louisiana|New Llano]], established in 1917. The second was the Christian Commonwealth Colony. These colonies attempted to attract economists and sociologists to conduct an experiment in communal membership and the sharing of labor duties. Llano del Rio was the larger community, with more than 10,000 people, and was also the longest-surviving. Both colonies failed in the 1930s during the economic stress of the [[Great Depression]].<ref name="chambervernonparish.com"/>

In 1941, the [[United States Army]] opened [[Fort Polk|Camp Polk]], shortly after the outbreak of war in Europe, with the German invasion of Poland and other actions. Camp Polk quickly surpassed the timber industry as the dominant force in the parish's economy. After the camp opened, the population of the parish seat of [[Leesville, Louisiana|Leesville]] rapidly climbed from 3,500 to 18,000. Named after [[Leonidas Polk]], the first Episcopal Bishop in [[Louisiana]] and known as the "Fighting Bishop of the Confederacy", it served as one of the major Army training camps during [[World War II]].

In the 21st century, [[Fort Polk]] is the 5th-largest military installation in the nation. The facility covers approximately {{convert|200,000|acre|km2}}. It has stimulated the development of associated businesses in the area and related populations. With the regular reassignment of soldiers, accompanied by dependents, to and from the fort, Vernon Parish has a more varied culture than might be expected from its location. Its residents come from all over the country.<ref name="chambervernonparish.com"/>

==Geography== According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the parish has a total area of {{convert|1341|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1328|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|14|sqmi}} (1.0%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_22.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=September 2, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928155956/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_22.txt |archive-date=September 28, 2013 }}</ref> It is the largest parish in Louisiana by land area.

===Major highways=== * [[File:US 171.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Highway 171]] * [[File:Louisiana 8 (2008).svg|25px]] [[Louisiana Highway 8]] * [[File:Louisiana 10 (2008).svg|25px]] [[Louisiana Highway 10]] * [[File:Louisiana 28 (2008).svg|25px]] [[Louisiana Highway 28]] * [[File:Louisiana 467 (2008).svg|25px]] [[Louisiana Highway 467]] * [[File:Louisiana 1146 (2008).svg|25px]] [[Louisiana Highway 1146]]

===Adjacent parishes and counties=== * [[Sabine Parish, Louisiana|Sabine Parish]] (northwest) * [[Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]] (north) * [[Rapides Parish, Louisiana|Rapides Parish]] (east) * [[Allen Parish, Louisiana|Allen Parish]] (southeast) * [[Beauregard Parish, Louisiana|Beauregard Parish]] (south) * [[Newton County, Texas|Newton County]], Texas (west)

===National protected area=== * [[Kisatchie National Forest]] (part)

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1880= 5160 |1890= 5903 |1900= 10327 |1910= 17384 |1920= 20493 |1930= 20047 |1940= 19142 |1950= 18974 |1960= 18301 |1970= 53794 |1980= 53475 |1990= 61961 |2000= 52531 |2010= 52334 |2020= 48750 |estyear=2025 |estimate=45091 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 10, 2026}}</ref> {{loss}} |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 2, 2014}}</ref> 1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=September 2, 2014}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/la190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 2, 2014}}</ref> 1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 2, 2014}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22/22115.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 18, 2013|archive-date=June 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606154430/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22/22115.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> | align = right }}

===2020 census=== As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the parish had a population of 48,750 and 12,375 families residing there.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A115&in=state%3A22|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 3, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

As of the 2020 census, the median age was 32.8 years. 25.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.4 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup of the parish was 72.0% [[White Americans|White]], 13.3% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 1.2% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]], 1.8% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.6% [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] and [[Pacific Islander|Pacific Islander]], 2.7% from some other race, and 8.4% from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] residents of any race comprised 8.6% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A115&in=state%3A22|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 3, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

As of the 2020 census, 42.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 57.8% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A115&in=state%3A22|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=January 3, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

As of the 2020 census, there were 18,761 households in the parish, of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.7% were married-couple households, 20.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

As of the 2020 census, there were 21,953 housing units, of which 14.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 56.7% were owner-occupied and 43.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.4%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Vernon Parish, Louisiana – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 1980<ref name=1980Census>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Louisiana - Table 14 - Persons by Race and Table 15 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 20/12-20/20)|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_laABC-02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|page=}}</ref> !Pop 1990<ref name=1990Census>{{Cite web|title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Louisiana - Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-2/cp-2-20-1.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|page=15-38}}</ref> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Vernon Parish, Louisiana|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US22115&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Vernon Parish, Louisiana|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US22115&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Vernon Parish, Louisiana|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US22115&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH) |40,295 |44,012 |37,483 |37,794 |style='background: #ffffe6; |33,599 |75.35% |71.03% |71.35% |72.22% |style='background: #ffffe6; |68.92% |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH) |9,641 |12,626 |8,782 |7,280 |style='background: #ffffe6; |6,325 |18.03% |20.38% |16.72% |13.91% |style='background: #ffffe6; |12.97% |- |[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH) |238 |416 |712 |684 |style='background: #ffffe6; |484 |0.45% |0.67% |1.36% |1.31% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.99% |- |[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH) |893 |1,419 |786 |881 |style='background: #ffffe6; |862 |1.67% |2.29% |1.50% |1.68% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.77% |- |[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH) |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref> |152 |242 |style='background: #ffffe6; |289 |x |x |0.29% |0.46% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.59% |- |[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH) |169 |83 |84 |62 |style='background: #ffffe6; |274 |0.32% |0.13% |0.16% |0.12% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.56% |- |[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH) |x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref> |1,421 |1,616 |style='background: #ffffe6; |2,742 |x |x |2.71% |3.09% |style='background: #ffffe6; |5.62% |- |[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race) |2,239 |3,405 |3,111 |3,775 |style='background: #ffffe6; |4,175 |4.19% |5.50% |5.92% |7.21% |style='background: #ffffe6; |8.56% |- |'''Total''' |'''53,475''' |'''61,961''' |'''52,531''' |'''52,334''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''48,750 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |} ==Education== [[File:File-Vernon Parish Library 004.JPG|right|thumb|250px|The Vernon Parish Library in [[Leesville, Louisiana|Leesville]]]]

===Primary and secondary education=== All public schools in Vernon Parish are operated by the [[Vernon Parish School Board]], which operates 18 public schools and one optional school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vpsb.k12.la.us/education/components/sectionlist/default.php?sectiondetailid=5|title=Vernon Parish School District – School List|access-date=July 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421165808/http://www.vpsb.k12.la.us/education/components/sectionlist/default.php?sectiondetailid=5|archive-date=April 21, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>  Schools providing a secondary education include: * [[Evans High School (Louisiana)|Evans High School]] (Grades PK-12) * [[Hicks High School]] (Grades PK-12) * [[Hornbeck High School]] (Grades PK-12) * [[Pitkin High School]] (Grades PK-12) * [[Simpson High School]] (Grades PK-12) * [[Anacoco High School]] (Grades 7–12) * [[Pickering High School (Louisiana)|Pickering High School]] (Grades 7–12) * [[Rosepine Junior/Senior High School]] (Grades 7–12) * [[Leesville High School]] (Grades 9–12) * [[Vernon Parish Optional School]] (Grades 7–12)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vpsb.k12.la.us/education/school/schoolhistory.php?sectiondetailid=14401&backPath=L2VkdWNhdGlvbi9jb21wb25lbnRzL3NlYXJjaC9zZWFyY2gucGhwP3NlY3Rpb25kZXRhaWxpZD0zMjkxMA==|title=Vernon Parish Optional School History|access-date=November 13, 2011|archive-date=April 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421165813/http://www.vpsb.k12.la.us/education/school/schoolhistory.php?sectiondetailid=14401&backPath=L2VkdWNhdGlvbi9jb21wb25lbnRzL3NlYXJjaC9zZWFyY2gucGhwP3NlY3Rpb25kZXRhaWxpZD0zMjkxMA==|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Faith training Christian academy (private k4-12)

===Colleges and universities=== The [[Louisiana Technical College]] (LTC) system operates the Lamar Salter campus south of New Llano. The Central Louisiana Technical College Lamar Salter campus is one of 40 LTC campuses across the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cltc.edu/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=58|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107230309/http://www.cltc.edu/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=58|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 7, 2011|title=Central Louisiana Technical College-Lamar Salter-Campus}}</ref>

[[Northwestern State University]] (NSU), is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana and is part of the University of Louisiana System. The [[Northwestern State University|NSU]]-Leesville/Fort Polk Campus is located on Highway 467 near [[Fort Polk]]. It serves the civilian communities of Vernon, Beauregard, and Sabine parishes, as well as the military community at Fort Polk. http://leesville.nsula.edu/

The Fort Polk Education Center offers self-development opportunities for Service members, military family members, Department of the Defense employees, military Retirees, Department of Defense contractors, and civilians from the local community in the classroom, distance learning, and online environments. Civilian students coming to the post for classes are required to use the main entrance located off [[U.S. Route 171|U.S. Highway 171]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jrtc-polk.army.mil/JRTC-Polk_NEW/sites/services/EducationCenter.asp|title=Fort Polk Education Center|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629083429/http://www.jrtc-polk.army.mil/JRTC-Polk_NEW/sites/services/EducationCenter.asp|archive-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref>

[[Central Michigan University]] (CMU) operates a campus at Fort Polk.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cel.cmich.edu/locations/location.aspx?site=FPOLK|title=Central Michigan University at Fort Polk, Louisiana}}</ref>

[[Central Texas College]] (CTC) is a public, open-admission community college offering associate degrees and certificate programs in academic, professional and vocational/technical fields. Due to its proximity to Fort Polk, CTC has evolved from a small junior college into a college catering to the military. CTC also help students transition from a 2-year to a 4-year degree through numerous articulation agreements with 4-year institutions nationwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctcpolk.com/|title=Central Texas College – Fort Polk Site|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425162209/http://www.ctcpolk.com/|archive-date=April 25, 2012}}</ref>

[[Louisiana State University]] offers a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lsu.edu/catalogs/2011/009special.shtml|title=Louisiana State University – Special Programs|access-date=July 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211074501/http://www.lsu.edu/catalogs/2011/009special.shtml|archive-date=December 11, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Upper Iowa University]] (UIU) at Fort Polk offers classes on post to both military personnel and civilians in the area. It was opened in 1995 and offers bachelor's degrees in nine majors. Courses can also be blended with UIU distance learning programs (online and independent study) to complete 11 other majors. Certificate programs are also available. UIU offers courses on post during five eight-week terms during the academic year. All courses are offered during the evenings and on weekends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uiu.edu/locations/militarycenters/fortpolk.html|title=The Upper Iowa Center at Fort Polk, LA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819103026/http://www.uiu.edu/locations/militarycenters/fortpolk.html|archive-date=August 19, 2012}}</ref>

===Public libraries=== The Vernon Parish Library operates public libraries. It operates the main library and the Dunbar Branch Library in [[Leesville, Louisiana|Leesville]] and the Pitkin Branch Library in [[Pitkin, Louisiana|Pitkin]].<ref>"[http://www1.youseemore.com/VernonParish/about.asp?p=23 Sexual Predator Policy]." ( {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903173106/http://www1.youseemore.com/VernonParish/about.asp?p=23 |date=September 3, 2014 }}) Vernon Parish Library. Retrieved March 23, 2013.</ref>

==National Guard== The [[Louisiana Army National Guard]] maintains a maintenance facility which services its vehicles on [[Fort Polk]]. 3-156 IB part of 256th Tiger Brigade is located at Fort Polk.

==Communities==

[[File:Map of Vernon Parish Louisiana With Municipal Labels.PNG|thumb|300px|Map of Vernon Parish [[Fort Polk]])]]

===Cities=== * [[DeRidder, Louisiana|DeRidder]] (most of DeRidder is in Beauregard Parish, with a very small portion reaching into Vernon) * [[Leesville, Louisiana|Leesville]] (parish seat and largest municipality)

===Towns=== * [[Hornbeck, Louisiana|Hornbeck]] * [[New Llano, Louisiana|New Llano]] * [[Rosepine, Louisiana|Rosepine]]

===Villages=== * [[Anacoco, Louisiana|Anacoco]] * [[Simpson, Louisiana|Simpson]]

===Unincorporated areas===

====Census-designated places==== * [[Fort Polk North, Louisiana|Fort Polk North]]{{efn|Fort Polk North is actually a military community contained within [[Fort Polk]] Army Installation.}} * [[Fort Polk South, Louisiana|Fort Polk South]]{{efn|Fort Polk South is actually a military community contained within [[Fort Polk]] Army Installation.}} * [[Pitkin, Louisiana|Pitkin]]

====Other communities====

{{div col|colwidth=22em}} * [[Burr Ferry, Louisiana|Burr Ferry]] * [[Caney, Louisiana|Caney]] * Coopers * [[Cravens, Louisiana|Cravens]] * Evans * [[Fullerton, Louisiana|Fullerton]] * [[Hawthorne, Louisiana|Hawthorne]] * [[Hicks, Louisiana|Hicks]] * [[Hutton, Louisiana|Hutton]] * [[Kurthwood, Louisiana|Kurthwood]] * Lacamp * [[Leander, Louisiana|Leander]] * [[Pickering, Louisiana|Pickering]] * [[Sandy Hill, Louisiana|Sandy Hill]] * [[Slagle, Louisiana|Slagle]] * Standard * [[Temple, Louisiana|Temple]] {{div col end}}

==Notable people==  * [[Bert Adams (Louisiana politician)|Bert A. Adams]], [[Louisiana House of Representatives|state representative]] from Vernon Parish from 1956 to 1968<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf |title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812–2016: Vernon Parish |publisher=house.louisiana.gov |access-date=October 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006105414/http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf |archive-date=October 6, 2014 }}</ref> * [[Eddie Fuller (American football)|Eddie Fuller]], running back for the [[Buffalo Bills]] * [[Frank A. Howard]], former Vernon Parish sheriff and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[Louisiana State Legislature|Louisiana House of Representatives]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/h_reps/members.asp?id=24|title=Rep. Frank A. Howard|publisher=house.louisiana.gov|access-date=July 19, 2011|archive-date=April 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413145533/http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=24|url-status=dead}}</ref> * [[Buddy Leach]], former member of the [[United States House of Representatives]], [[Louisiana State Legislature|Louisiana House of Representatives]], and Louisiana [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] chairman * [[Kevin Mawae]], All-Pro center for the [[Tennessee Titans]] * [[Demond Mallet]], professional [[basketball]] player in the [[Basketball Bundesliga|German League]] and with [[Joventut Badalona]] * [[Jim McCrery]], former [[U.S. Representative]] for [[Louisiana's 4th congressional district]] * [[Charles M. Poston|Charles M. Poston, Sr.]], member of the [[Louisiana State Legislature|Louisiana State Senate]] from 1960 to 1964 * [[Bryan A. Poston]], member of the [[Louisiana State Legislature|Louisiana State Senate]] from 1964 to 1992<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=bryan-a-poston&pid=133871227|title=Obituary of Bryan A. Poston, Sr.|publisher=[[The Times (Shreveport)|Shreveport Times]], October 4, 2009|access-date=October 4, 2009}}</ref> * [[Jewel Prestage]], first African-American woman to earn a PhD in political science, former Dean of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at [[Southern University]] * [[D'Anthony Smith]], nose tackle for the [[Chicago Bears]]

==Politics== {{PresHead|place=Vernon Parish, Louisiana|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 9, 2018}}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|44|754|478|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1920|Democratic|205|1,143|0|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1924|Democratic|142|1,372|33|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1928|Democratic|500|2,191|0|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|46|2,868|55|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|928|2,831|5|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|311|3,439|0|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,022|3,075|0|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|296|1,939|2,347|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1952|Democratic|2,130|3,832|0|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,372|2,158|232|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,991|3,145|1,024|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1964|Republican|3,696|3,564|0|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1968|American Independent|1,574|1,496|5,536|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|6,225|1,345|450|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,970|6,202|293|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1980|Democratic|5,869|7,198|369|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|9,035|4,076|258|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|7,453|4,998|310|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1992|Democratic|5,912|6,005|2,850|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|1996|Democratic|5,449|6,195|2,322|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|8,794|4,655|378|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|11,032|4,035|162|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|11,946|3,534|289|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|12,150|3,173|287|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|13,471|2,665|497|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|14,107|2,898|263|Louisiana}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|13,474|2,513|162|Louisiana}} {{PresFoot}}

==See also== {{Portal|United States}} * [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Vernon Parish, Louisiana]]

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== * Snead, J., P. V. Heinrich, and R. P. McCulloh, 2002a, [https://web.archive.org/web/20100628130422/http://www.lgs.lsu.edu/deploy/uploads/DeRidder%20100K.pdf ''De Ridder 30 x 60 minute geologic quadrangle.''] Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. * Snead, J., P. V. Heinrich, and R. P. McCulloh, 2002b, [https://web.archive.org/web/20150911221403/http://www.lgs.lsu.edu/deploy/uploads/Ville%20Platte%20100K.pdf ''Ville Platte 30 x 60 minute geologic quadrangle.''] Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. * [http://vernonso.org/ Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624114324/http://vernonso.org/ |date=June 24, 2016 }}

{{Geographic Location | Centre = Vernon Parish, Louisiana | North = [[Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]] | Northeast = | East = [[Rapides Parish, Louisiana|Rapides Parish]] | Southeast = [[Allen Parish, Louisiana|Allen Parish]] | South = [[Beauregard Parish, Louisiana|Beauregard Parish]] | Southwest = | West = [[Newton County, Texas]] | Northwest = [[Sabine Parish, Louisiana|Sabine Parish]] }}

{{Vernon Parish, Louisiana}} {{Louisiana parishes}} {{Authority control}} {{Coord|31.11|-93.19|type:adm2nd_region:US-LA_source:UScensus1990|display=title}}

[[Category:Vernon Parish, Louisiana| ]] [[Category:Louisiana parishes]] [[Category:1871 establishments in Louisiana]] [[Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1871]]