Natchitoches, Louisiana

Natchitoches
Exchange Bank in Downtown Natchitoches
Exchange Bank in Downtown Natchitoches
Official seal of Natchitoches
Nickname: 
The Destination of Travelers since 1714
Location of Natchitoches in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Location of Natchitoches in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Natchitoches is located in Louisiana
Natchitoches
Natchitoches
Natchitoches is located in the United States
Natchitoches
Natchitoches
Coordinates: 31°41′35″N 93°05′42″W / 31.69306°N 93.09500°W / 31.69306; -93.09500
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishNatchitoches
Settled1714 (1714)
Incorporated as a townFebruary 5, 1819 (1819-02-05)
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • BodyCity Council
 • MayorRonnie Williams, Jr.
Area
 • Total26.28 sq mi (68.07 km2)
 • Land22.69 sq mi (58.77 km2)
 • Water3.59 sq mi (9.31 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total18,039
 • Density795.05/sq mi (306.97/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
71457
Area code318
Interstate
Louisiana Highways link = Louisiana Highway 6
WebsiteCity of Natchitoches
Natchitoches City Hall
A store with live fish for sale near Natchitoches, 1940. Photo by Marion Post Wolcott.

Natchitoches (/ˈnækətəʃ/ NAK-ə-təsh;[2][3] French: Les Natchitoches, [le nakitɔʃ]), officially the City of Natchitoches, is a small city and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States.[4] At the 2020 United States Census, the city's population was 18,039. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the indigenous Natchitoches people.

The City of Natchitoches was incorporated on February 5, 1819, after Louisiana had become a state in 1812. It is the oldest permanent settlement in the land acquired by the Louisiana Purchase. Natchitoches is home to Northwestern State University. Its sister city is Nacogdoches, Texas.

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  2. ^ Dorman, Jim (February 4, 2020). "Natchitoches native makes Company's 'Steel Magnolias' bloom with authenticity". The Patriot Ledger. Worcester, Massachusetts.
  3. ^ Block, Melissa (January 23, 2014). "Natchi — What's It Now? A Local Sets Us Straight". All Things Considered. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.

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