Broussard, Louisiana History, Economy and Politics
Broussard is a small town located in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. The town has a population of approximately 8,000 people and is situated along the Vermilion River. It is bordered by the cities of Youngsville, Lafayette, and Carencro. Visit Plus-Size-Tips to learn about Acadia Parish, Louisiana.
The geography of Broussard is characterized by rolling hills, lush vegetation, and vast open spaces. The town lies in the heart of Acadiana which is known for its unique culture and cuisine. Most of Broussard’s land is flat and low-lying with a few hills scattered throughout the area.
The Vermilion River winds through Broussard providing an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, and more. Additionally, there are several parks located throughout the town including Veterans Park which features a playground and picnic area; Cypress Lake Park which features walking trails; and Skyview Park which offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Broussard also has several conservation areas such as Pecan Grove Wildlife Management Area which provides habitat for waterfowl; Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge which provides habitat for numerous wildlife species; and Breaux Bridge Wildlife Management Area which provides recreational opportunities such as hunting and fishing.
Overall, Broussard’s geography offers an enjoyable mix of outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, boating, hiking trails, parks to explore, conservation areas to visit and stunning views to enjoy while exploring all that Acadiana has to offer.
History of Broussard, Louisiana
Broussard, Louisiana is a small town located in Lafayette Parish. The town has a population of approximately 8,000 people and is situated along the Vermilion River. It was first settled in the late 1700s by French settlers who named it after their leader, Jean Baptiste Broussard.
The town of Broussard grew slowly over the years but still remained relatively small until the late 19th century when it became an important economic hub for the region due to its proximity to the Vermilion River which provided a reliable source of transportation and commerce.
In 1895, Broussard was incorporated as a village and began to experience growth due to its location along several major railroads. This allowed for easy access to other parts of Louisiana as well as other states. The town also became home to several businesses such as sawmills, cotton gins, and lumber yards which helped spur economic growth in the area.
Throughout much of its history Broussard has been an agricultural community with many residents relying on farming and ranching to make a living. In addition to this, many people worked in industry related jobs such as oil field work or manufacturing within the city limits or nearby towns.
Today Broussard is still an agricultural community but has also seen an increase in tourism due to its proximity to other cities such as Lafayette and New Iberia. It is also home to several annual festivals such as the Crawfish Festival which celebrates Cajun culture and heritage; Zydeco Festival which features music from local zydeco bands; and Boudin Festival which celebrates another Cajun staple food – boudin sausage.
Economy of Broussard, Louisiana
Broussard, Louisiana is a small town located in Lafayette Parish with a population of approximately 8,000 people. The town’s economy is primarily based on agriculture and tourism.
Agriculture has been one of the main sources of income for the citizens of Broussard since its founding in the late 1700s. Many residents continue to rely on farming and ranching as their primary source of income today. The town also benefits from its proximity to the Vermilion River which provides an abundant source of seafood such as shrimp, crawfish, and oysters which can be found in local markets or restaurants.
The oil industry has also been an important contributor to Broussard’s economy since the early 20th century when oil was first discovered in nearby towns such as Abbeville and Kaplan. This led to an influx of workers who were looking for jobs related to the oil industry such as drilling and refining. Today, many people still work in these industries or related manufacturing jobs within Broussard or nearby towns.
Tourism has become increasingly important to Broussard’s economy over the past few decades due to its proximity to other cities such as Lafayette and New Iberia. Visitors come from all over Louisiana and beyond to experience the unique culture, cuisine, and music that can be found in this small town. In addition, there are several annual festivals that draw large crowds every year such as Crawfish Festival which celebrates Cajun culture; Zydeco Festival which features music from local zydeco bands; and Boudin Festival which celebrates another Cajun staple food – boudin sausage.
Overall, Broussard is a small town with a diverse economy that relies on both agriculture and tourism for its livelihood. Despite its size, it continues to be an important economic hub for the region due to its rich cultural heritage and abundance of recreational activities available for visitors to enjoy while exploring all that Acadiana has to offer.
Politics in Broussard, Louisiana
Broussard, Louisiana is a small town with a population of approximately 8,000 people. Politics in Broussard are largely dominated by the Democratic Party. The town has been under Democratic leadership since its founding in the late 1700s and continues to be today.
The mayor of Broussard is currently Charles Langlinais, who was elected in 2018 and is up for reelection in 2022. He is a lifelong resident of the town and has held positions such as City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem prior to his election as mayor. Langlinais has been an advocate for the preservation of Broussard’s rich cultural heritage and has worked to promote economic development within the town by encouraging businesses to invest in the area.
The city council consists of seven members who are elected at-large every four years during municipal elections. Most recently, the city council approved a new ordinance that requires all businesses operating within city limits to adhere to certain environmental regulations such as reducing water usage and implementing renewable energy sources when possible.
Broussard also elects representatives to both state and federal legislatures. At the state level, there are two representatives from Broussard who serve on Louisiana’s House of Representatives: Representative John Guidry III and Representative Dustin Miller who were both elected in 2019 and will be up for reelection in 2023. At the federal level, Broussard is represented by Senator Bill Cassidy who was first elected in 2014 and will be up for reelection again in 2020.
Overall, politics in Broussard have traditionally been dominated by Democrats but it remains an open question whether this will continue into future elections or if Republicans will gain ground given recent developments at both the state and national levels. Regardless, citizens of Broussard can rest assured that their local government remains committed to preserving their unique culture while also promoting economic growth through responsible policies that benefit all residents of Lafayette Parish.