St. John the Baptist Parish

Population
Total	46,994
Race
White	47.5%
Black	50.7%
Hispanic	4.4%
Asian	0.7%
Other	0.3%
Age
Persons Under 5 Years Old	7.6%
Persons Under 18 years Old	28.4%
Persons 65 Years Old and Over	8.6%
Housing and Income
Household	14,283
Median Income	$43,752
Per Capita	$15,445
Geography
Land Area	218.90 Sq. Miles
Persons per Sq. Mile	196.5
Information from U.S. Census Bureau

St. John the Baptist Parish was the second permanent settlement in Louisiana and established in the early 1720's by a group of Germans, hence becoming known as "La Cote des Allemands" or "The German Coast". Led by Karl Frederic D'Arensbourg, a settlement was created on the west bank of the Mississippi River in the area now known as Lucy which was originally named Karistein. Some families also began farming land on the east bank, in what is now Garyville and Reserve.

Eight communities comprise the whole of St. John Parish. On the west bank of the river lies the sprawling towns of Lucy, Edgard and Wallace. This area is primarily agricultural. Rows and rows of sugar cane cover the fields. The Bonfireeast bank has LaPlace, Reserve, Lions, Garyville and Mt. Airy, each a thriving, bustling community. Industries follow along the river, including a chemical plant, sugar refinery, grain elevators and an oil refinery.

The people of St. John have retained many old customs. Country fairs are held frequently to raise funds for worthy causes. On Christmas Eve the river road is lined with visitors who have come to view the bon fires that dot the levees on both sides of the river. At one time a bridal shower was a collection of useful gifts from each household for the bride to set up housekeeping . Showers given to the bride of today generally involve every friend, relative and acquaintance.