Rayville, Louisiana

Rayville, Louisiana
Town
Town of Rayville
Bodock tree, the oldest in Rayville, is located between the Civic Center and the Rhymes Memorial Library.
Bodock tree, the oldest in Rayville, is located between the Civic Center and the Rhymes Memorial Library.
Location of Rayville in Richland Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Rayville in Richland Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Coordinates: 32°28′25″N 91°45′27″W / 32.47361°N 91.75750°W / 32.47361; -91.75750
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishRichland
Government
 • MayorHarry Lewis (D)

Police Chief Willie Lee Robinson, Sr. (D)
Rayville City Council: James "Jay" Brakefield (No Party)
Paula Buie Crumpton (D)

Debra K. James (D)
Area
[1]
 • Total
2.34 sq mi (6.06 km2)
 • Land2.31 sq mi (5.98 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation
82 ft (25 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
3,347
 • Density1,448.92/sq mi (559.52/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
71269
Area code318
FIPS code22-63680
Websitewww.townofrayville.com

Rayville is a town in and the parish seat of Richland Parish in northeastern Louisiana, United States.[2] The population, which is 69 percent African American, was 4,234 at the 2000 census, but it had declined by nearly 21 percent in 2020 to 3,347.[3]

The City Hall, located next to the U.S. Post Office across from U.S. Highway 80, is named for former Rayville Mayor Joe Kalil (1922–1996).

History

Rayville was named for John Ray.

Geography

Rayville is located at 32°28′25″N 91°45′27″W / 32.47361°N 91.75750°W / 32.47361; -91.75750 (32.473580, -91.757387).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 square miles (5.9 km2), of which 2.2 square miles (5.8 km2) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km2) (1.32%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870106—
1880316198.1%
189036615.8%
19101,079—
19201,49938.9%
19302,97698.5%
19402,412−19.0%
19503,13830.1%
19604,05229.1%
19703,962−2.2%
19804,61016.4%
19904,411−4.3%
20004,234−4.0%
20103,695−12.7%
20203,347−9.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
Rayville racial composition as of 2020[6]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 727 21.72%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 2,424 72.42%
Native American 8 0.24%
Asian 19 0.57%
Other/Mixed 108 3.23%
Hispanic or Latino 61 1.82%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,347 people, 1,248 households, and 892 families residing in the town.

Education

Public schools in Richland Parish are operated by the Richland Parish School Board. Three campuses serve the town of Rayville - Rayville Elementary School (Grades PK-6), Rayville Junior High School (Grades 7-8), and Rayville High School (Grades 9-12). Rayville is also served by Riverfield Academy (Grades PK-12) a non-denominational private school.

Notable people

  • Rayville welcome sign
    Rayville welcome sign
  • Kalil Municipal Building is named for former Rayville Mayor Joe Kalil.
    Kalil Municipal Building is named for former Rayville Mayor Joe Kalil.
  • Rayville Civic Center
    Rayville Civic Center
  • U.S. Post Office in Rayville
    U.S. Post Office in Rayville
  • Abandoned Joy Theater on U.S. Highway 80 in Rayville
    Abandoned Joy Theater on U.S. Highway 80 in Rayville
  • First Baptist Church of Rayville; pastor Eddie Wren
    First Baptist Church of Rayville; pastor Eddie Wren
  • Rayville Presbyterian Church at 824 Julia Street
    Rayville Presbyterian Church at 824 Julia Street

See also

References

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Rayville, Louisiana Population". censusviewer.com. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 19, 2021.