Moving to Ferriday, Louisiana

Ferriday, Louisiana is located in the northeastern part of the state, near the banks of the Mississippi River. The city has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Summers are typically humid and rainy, while winters are cold and dry.

The history of Ferriday dates back to 1838 when it was founded by a group of settlers from North Carolina. It was named after Colonel William S. Ferriday who served in the War of 1812. It soon became an important trading center for cotton, timber, and other goods due to its proximity to the Mississippi River. During the Civil War, it was a Confederate stronghold until Union forces captured it in 1862.

Politically, Ferriday is part of Concordia Parish which is governed by a mayor-council system. The mayor is elected at-large while council members represent each district within the parish. The city also has its own police force and fire department that provide services to its citizens.

The economy of Ferriday is largely based on agriculture with cotton being one of the main crops grown in the area due to its fertile soil. Other industries include manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality services, retail trade and transportation services.

Ferriday has two public schools: Ferriday High School and Ferriday Elementary School both of which are part of Concordia Parish School Board system. In addition there are several private schools including Holy Trinity Catholic School and St Francis Academy which offer religious education as well as traditional curriculum for K-12 students

Some prominent landmarks in Ferriday include: Lake St John State Park which offers camping, fishing, boating and other outdoor activities; The Natchez Trace Parkway that runs through town offering scenic views; The Delta Music Museum which showcases local music legends; And Fort Adams State Historic Site which was once a Confederate fort during the Civil War.

Population: 3,723. Estimated population in July 2024: 3,568 (-4.2% change)
Males: 1,610 (43.2%), Females: 2,113 (56.8%)

Zip code: 71334

Demographics

Median resident age: 34.2 years
Median household income: $14,732
Median house value: $45,700

Population by Race

Races in Ferriday:

• Black (74.9%)
• White Non-Hispanic (23.9%)

Ancestries: United States (4.2%), Irish (3.3%), English (2.0%).

Elevation: 63 feet

Land area: 1.7 square miles

Population by Education

Ferriday, Louisiana is a small town located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. With a population of just over 3,000 people, it is the largest city in Concordia Parish. The majority of Ferriday’s residents are African American and represent a mix of cultures and backgrounds. It is also home to many Native Americans as well as a small but growing Hispanic population. The median age of the population is 37 years old with more than half of the population being under 18 years old. In terms of education, most Ferriday residents have at least some college experience with nearly two-thirds having earned at least an associate’s degree or higher. Ferriday has a strong sense of community with many organizations and events that help to bring people together such as festivals, parades, and other gatherings throughout the year. The town also has several churches that serve as hubs for socializing and networking in addition to providing spiritual guidance for its citizens. In addition to these activities, Ferriday also offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities including fishing, hiking, hunting, camping, biking, bird watching, and more. All in all, Ferriday provides its citizens with plenty of opportunities for entertainment and socialization that make it an ideal place for families to call home.

For population 25 years and over in Ferriday

• High school or higher: 57.9%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.8%
• Graduate or professional degree: 4.1%
• Unemployed: 18.3%
• Mean travel time to work: 19.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Ferriday town

• Never married: 37.8%
• Now married: 40.4%
• Separated: 5.8%
• Widowed: 7.7%
• Divorced: 8.4%

0.2% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -456 (-10.9%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers in Ferriday:

• PROFESSIONAL REHABILITATION HOSPITAL (6818 HIGHWAY 84)
• RIVERLAND MEDICAL CENTER (1700 WALLACE BLVD)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Ferriday:

• NATCHEZ COMMUNITY HOSPITAL/SWING BED (about 16 miles; NATCHEZ, MS)
• NATCHEZ REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 16 miles; NATCHEZ, MS)
• JEFFERSON COUNTY HOSPITAL (about 36 miles; FAYETTE, MS)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Ferriday:

• HARDY-ANDERS FIELD NATCHEZ-ADAMS COUNTY (about 20 miles; NATCHEZ, MS; Abbreviation: HEZ)
• MONROE REGIONAL (about 69 miles; MONROE, LA; Abbreviation: MLU)
• ALEXANDRIA INTL (about 71 miles; ALEXANDRIA, LA; Abbreviation: AEX)

Other public-use airports nearest to Ferriday:

• CONCORDIA PARISH (about 6 miles; VIDALIA, LA; Abbreviation: 0R4)
• JONESVILLE (about 19 miles; JONESVILLE, LA; Abbreviation: L32)
• TENSAS PARISH (about 33 miles; ST JOSEPH, LA; Abbreviation: L33)

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Ferriday:

• LOUISIANA TECHNICAL COLLEGE-SHELBY JACKSON CAMPUS (Full-time enrollment: 103; Location: 2100 EE WALLACE BLVD; Public; Website: www.sjackson.com)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Ferriday:

• ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 36 miles; ALCORN STATE, MS; Full-time enrollment: 2,594)
• UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE (about 72 miles; MONROE, LA; Full-time enrollment: 8,116)
• SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A & M COLLEGE (about 81 miles; BATON ROUGE, LA; Full-time enrollment: 8,399)
• HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 87 miles; RAYMOND, MS; Full-time enrollment: 10,057)
• LOUISIANA STATE UNIV & AG & MECH & HEBERT LAWS CTR (about 89 miles; BATON ROUGE, LA; Full-time enrollment: 28,696)
• MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE (about 93 miles; CLINTON, MS; Full-time enrollment: 2,904)
• LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY (about 98 miles; RUSTON, LA; Full-time enrollment: 9,013)

Schools

Public high school in Ferriday:

• FERRIDAY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 337; Location: 801 E E WALLACE BOULEVARD; Grades: 08 – 12)

Private high school in Ferriday:

• HUNTINGTON SCHOOL (Students: 248; Location: 300 LYNWOOD DR; Grades: KG – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Ferriday:

• FERRIDAY LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 456; Location: 110 BATEMAN DRIVE; Grades: PK – 02)
• FERRIDAY UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 402; Location: 151 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD; Grades: 03 – 05)
• FERRIDAY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 338; Location: 201 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD; Grades: 06 – 08)
• FERRIDAY EDUCATION CENTER (Students: 19; Location: 160 KINDERGARTEN ROAD; Grades: 06 – 12)

Libraries

Library in Ferriday:

• CONCORDIA PARISH LIBRARY (Operating income: $914,632; Location: 1609 THIRD STREET; 51,552 books; 587 audio materials; 1,213 video materials; 279 serial subscriptions)