Iberia Parish

Iberia Parish, Louisiana
Location in the U.S. state of Louisiana
Louisiana's location in the U.S.
Founded	October 30, 1868
Named for	Iberian Peninsula
Seat	New Iberia
Largest city	New Iberia
Area
• Total	1,031 sq mi (2,670 km2)
• Land	574 sq mi (1,487 km2)
• Water	456 sq mi (1,181 km2), 44%
Population (est.)
• (2015)	74,103
• Density	128/sq mi (49/km²)
Congressional district	3rd
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Website	iberiaparishgovernment.com/index.asp

Iberia Parish (French: Paroisse de l'Ibérie) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 73,240. The parish seat is New Iberia. The parish was formed in 1868 and named for the Iberian Peninsula. It is part of the large, 22-parish Acadiana region of the state, with a large Francophone population.

Iberia Parish is part of the Lafayette, Louisiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 1,031 square miles (2,670 km²), of which 574 square miles (1,490 km²) is land and 456 square miles (1,180 km²) (44%) is water. This includes Marsh Island.

The parish has both national and state protected areas within its borders.

Part of the Attakapas Wildlife Management Area is located within Iberia Parish as well as in St. Mary and St. Martin Parishes.

As of the census of 2000, there were 73,266 people, 25,381 households, and 19,162 families residing in the parish. The population density was 127 people per square mile (49/km²). There were 27,844 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile (19/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 65.08% White, 30.81% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.93% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 11.99% reported speaking French or Cajun French at home, while 1.48% speak Lao and 1.29% Spanish.

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