Louisiana.Careers.org
Fast Facts: Louisiana is the only state divided into parishes, which are the functional equivalent to counties. The capital is Baton Rouge and the largest city is New Orleans.
Louisiana Careers: As of 2008, U.S. Census data estimated Louisiana’s population at over 4.4 million. Forbes recently ranked Louisiana as the 49th “Best State for Business.”
Louisiana Career Education: Louisiana ranked 47th in a 2009 K-12 “Academic Achievement” study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Louisiana Economy: Louisiana is one of the nation’s leaders in commercial fishing; and as Forrest Gump illustrated the “Bayou State” is the leading state in shrimp production.
For details and sources, click the “Career Information” tab below.
Louisiana Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location...: The state of Louisiana is located in the southern region of the U.S.
Cities: The capital is Baton Rouge and the largest city is New Orleans.
Behind the Name: Louisiana is officially nicknamed the “Pelican State” because of the abundance of brown pelicans found along its coast, but it is more often referred to as the “Bayou State” because of the many slow, sluggish small streams that meander through its lowlands and marshes.
A Closer Look: Many of Louisiana’s urban environments have a multicultural, multilingual heritage that is influenced by a mixture of 18th century French, Spanish and African cultures. Each year New Orleans hosts an extravagant Mardi Gras parade that serves as one of the most famous carnival celebrations in the world.
Did You Know? Louisiana is the only state divided into parishes, which are local governments roughly equivalent to counties.
Louisiana Careers and Employment:
Population: 4,410,796 (-1.3% increase since 2000) – 51.4% Female, 48.6% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 49th in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) health care and social assistance; (2) retail trade; (3) accommodation and food services; (4) manufacturing; and (5) construction.
Taxes: Income Tax, 2.0% to 6.0% and Sales Tax, 4% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 94.4 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 50th of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 48.71; Apr: 65.99; July: 82.08; Oct: 67.03 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
K-12: Ranked 47th of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
Louisiana Economics:
In General: While Louisiana’s economy has historically depended on plantation farming, today’s economy is driven by manufacturing, mining, tourism and commerce. Louisiana’s workforce is comprised of almost two million people who are employed primarily in the service industry (38%), wholesale and retail trade (20%), military and government services (17%) and manufacturing (9%).
Agriculture: Livestock receipts consist in part of fur-bearing animals raised for pelts or trapped in the wild. Sugar cane is the leading farm product in Louisiana.
Manufacturing: The production of chemicals (pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, paint, pesticides, petrochemicals, plastics, soap) is Louisiana’s leading manufacturing activity.
Mining: Louisiana’s major mined products are petroleum and natural gas, which are responsible for over 90% of the state’s mining income. Correspondingly, petroleum and coal processing also contribute to the state’s economy.
Fishing: Louisiana is one of the nation’s leaders in commercial fishing; it is the leading state in shrimp production.
Did You Know? Louisiana was the first ever site of petroleum drilling over water, on Caddo Lake in the Northwest corner of the state in 1911.
Louisiana Education:
In General: Louisiana boasts affordable schools and colleges for both residents and non-residents of the state, including 62 public and 25 private colleges and universities, in addition to a growing number of technical and vocational schools. T
In the Rankings: U.S. News and World Report rankings: National Rankings – Tulane University (#51), Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge (#130); Liberal Arts Rankings – Centenary College of Louisiana (Tier 3), Dillard University (Tier 3).
Online Education: There are myriad accredited online universities offering degrees in the state of Louisiana.
A Closer Look: Louisiana State University, located just south of Baton Rouge, is consistently one of the top athletic universities in the nation; as of 2009, its 42 national championships ties for fifth all-time.
Did You Know? Louisiana’s Southern University system is the only historically black university system in the nation, consisting of five campuses that offer Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral degrees.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.