Moving to Gibsland, Louisiana

Gibsland, Louisiana is a small rural town located in the northwest corner of the state. The population is estimated at around 1,000 people. It is a mostly agricultural area, with farms and ranches dotting the landscape. The terrain is mostly flat and the climate is mild and humid most of the year.

The history of Gibsland dates back to the early 1800s when it was first settled by French-speaking settlers from Canada. It was officially incorporated as a town in 1871, and has remained largely unchanged since then. Politically, Gibsland leans conservative and votes Republican in most elections.

The economy of Gibsland revolves around agriculture, but there are also some small businesses in town including a few restaurants and stores. There are no large employers in town but there are plenty of jobs available on local farms or nearby oil fields.

Gibsland has one public school that serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school offers basic academic courses as well as extracurricular activities such as sports teams and clubs for students to participate in.

When it comes to landmarks, Gibsland is home to several historic sites including an old railroad depot that dates back to the late 1800’s and a one-room schoolhouse that still stands today. There are also several churches located throughout town that have been standing for decades, providing places for locals to worship each week.

Population: 1,119. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,082 (-3.3% change)
Males: 509 (45.5%), Females: 610 (54.5%)

Zip code: 71028

Demographics

Median resident age: 36.3 years
Median household income: $19,250
Median house value: $30,300

Population by Race

Races in Gibsland:

• Black (82.8%)
• White Non-Hispanic (16.3%)

Ancestries: United States (2.9%), Irish (2.1%), English (1.1%), German (1.1%), Subsaharan African (1.1%).

Elevation: 294 feet

Land area: 2.7 square miles

Population by Education

Gibsland, Louisiana is a small town of about 1,000 people located in the northeast corner of the state. The town has a rural charm, with its white-washed houses and friendly locals. The cost of living in Gibsland is quite affordable, with the median home price at around $80,000. Renting an apartment or house also tends to be quite economical in this area. The average rent for a two bedroom apartment is around $600 per month and utilities are typically included in that cost.

The population of Gibsland is predominantly Caucasian and there are very few minorities living in the area. As far as educational opportunities go, there are several elementary schools available to children who live within the city limits. Additionally, there is one high school located within city limits that serves all students from grades 9-12. There is also a local community college nearby that offers classes for students looking to pursue higher education opportunities. In terms of recreational activities, there are several parks and trails located throughout the town where residents can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops to explore throughout town where locals can find something to do when they’re not busy working or studying.

For population 25 years and over in Gibsland

• High school or higher: 69.9%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.5%
• Graduate or professional degree: 5.3%
• Unemployed: 12.1%
• Mean travel time to work: 23.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Gibsland town

• Never married: 36.4%
• Now married: 37.4%
• Separated: 5.0%
• Widowed: 11.0%
• Divorced: 10.1%

0.2% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -125 (-10.0%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Gibsland:

• LOUISIANA EXTENDED CARE HOSPITAL (about 11 miles; ARCADIA, LA)
• HOMER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; HOMER, LA)
• BERNICE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 18 miles; MINDEN, LA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Gibsland:

• BARKSDALE AFB (about 42 miles; BOSSIER CITY, LA; Abbreviation: BAD)
• SHREVEPORT REGIONAL (about 54 miles; SHREVEPORT, LA; Abbreviation: SHV)
• MONROE REGIONAL (about 71 miles; MONROE, LA; Abbreviation: MLU)

Other public-use airports nearest to Gibsland:

• ARCADIA-BIENVILLE PARISH (about 8 miles; ARCADIA, LA; Abbreviation: 5F0)
• HOMER MUNICIPAL (about 17 miles; HOMER, LA; Abbreviation: 5F4)
• MINDEN-WEBSTER (about 18 miles; MINDEN, LA; Abbreviation: F24)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Gibsland:

• GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY (about 24 miles; GRAMBLING, LA; Full-time enrollment: 4,299)
• LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY (about 28 miles; RUSTON, LA; Full-time enrollment: 9,013)
• LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY-SHREVEPORT (about 42 miles; SHREVEPORT, LA; Full-time enrollment: 3,059)
• BOSSIER PARISH COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 46 miles; BOSSIER CITY, LA; Full-time enrollment: 2,743)
• SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS (about 50 miles; MAGNOLIA, AR; Full-time enrollment: 2,646)
• NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA (about 55 miles; NATCHITOCHES, LA; Full-time enrollment: 7,710)
• UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE (about 68 miles; MONROE, LA; Full-time enrollment: 8,116)

Public primary/middle school in Gibsland:

• GIBSLAND-COLEMAN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 320; Location: 10TH STREET; Grades: KG – 12)