Sterlington, Louisiana

Sterlington, Louisiana
Town
Town of Sterlington
Motto: 
You've Made It Home
Location of Sterlington in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Coordinates: 32°41′20″N 92°03′37″W / 32.68889°N 92.06028°W / 32.68889; -92.06028[1]
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishOuachita
Incorporated1961
Government
 • MayorMatt Talbert (Republican)
Area
 • Total
2.83 sq mi (7.34 km2)
 • Land2.83 sq mi (7.34 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation79 ft (24 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
1,980
 • Density699/sq mi (269.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
71280
Area code318
FIPS code22-73255
GNIS feature ID2406666[1]
Websitewww.townofsterlington.com

Sterlington is a town in northern Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States, near the boundary with Union Parish. As of the 2020 census, Sterlington had a population of 1,980.[3] In 2014, Sterlington was the fastest-growing community in Northeast Louisiana.[4]

History

Former Mayor Vern Breland was subsequently arrested for malfeasance in office in April 2020.[5]

In 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged the town of Sterlington, its former mayor, and the town's advise with misleading investors in the sale of $5.8 million in municipal bonds in 2017 and 2018.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2), of which 2.3 square miles (5.9 km2) is land and 0.43% is water.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19701,118
19801,40025.2%
19901,140−18.6%
20001,27611.9%
20101,59424.9%
20201,98024.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
Sterlington racial composition as of 2020[7]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 1,381 69.75%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 402 20.3%
Asian 18 0.91%
Other/Mixed 98 4.95%
Hispanic or Latino 81 4.09%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,980 people, 926 households, and 726 families residing in the town.

Economy

Since 1930, Sterlington has been home to ANGUS Chemical Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Company, provides approximately 204 full-time and contract jobs to the area. ANGUS has a $20 million annual impact on the local economy, as well as "Contributes more than $50,000 annually to the United Way and other community outreach programs."[8]

Education

Sterlington is part of the Ouachita Parish School System,[9] and has one elementary school, Sterlington Elementary School. Sterlington Middle School and High School are also part of the school district.[10] Sterlington Elementary feeds into Sterlington Middle and Sterlington High.[11]

Notable people

Actor Ed Nelson relocated with his family to Sterlington from New Orleans in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.[12]

U.S. Ambassador Edward J. Perkins was born in Sterlington in 1928.

References

  1. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sterlington, Louisiana
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  3. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  4. ^ "Sterlington sees 13.7 percent population increase, May 23, 2014". The Washington Times. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  5. ^ "Breland booked at prison, says attorneys directed him".
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  8. ^ Sterlington – ANGUS
  9. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ouachita Parish, LA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. pp. 1–2, 8 (PDF pp. 2-3, 9/31). Retrieved January 4, 2025. - Text list
  10. ^ OPSB.net. "OPSB.net". OPSB.net. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
  11. ^ "Feeder Schools Correlation" (PDF). Ouachita Parish School Board. Retrieved January 4, 2024. - Linked from here. Sterlington ES boundary map.
  12. ^ William McDonald. "Ed Nelson, a Star of 'Peyton Place,' Dies at 85". Retrieved August 12, 2014.