Moving to Opelousas, Louisiana

Founded in 1720 it is the 3rd oldest city in Louisiana.

Located 20 miles north of Lafayette in central Louisiana and in St. Landry Parish, Opelousas has a population of approximately 23, 000 as of 2007. Known as a tourist attraction, it is the home of the Jim Bowie museum, as well as other historical attractions.

The best home buying opportunities are located in the southeastern part of the city along Interstate 49 north and south. Housing values of $83, 000 are well below state average of $126, 000, making Opleousas a good home buying opportunity.

There are 3 High Schools public and private: Opelousas High School, Westminster Christian Academy and Opelousas Catholic School. There are 8 Elementary Schools: North Elementary School, South Street Elementary School, Grolee Elementary School, Creswell School, Southwest School, Northeast School, Plaisance School and Park Vista School.

The main industries in Opelousas are oil, agriculture, manufacturing, and retail/wholesale. In 1999, Wal-Mart opened a distribution center north of the city. It generates $89 million dollars per year to the local area and employs approximately 1300 local area workers. Job opportunities are mostly found 20 miles south in Lafayette with it's oil and gas industry.

The average income for a household in Opelousas is approximately $15, 000, and the average income for a family is around $20, 000. This makes incomes much lower than the state averages.

In Conclusion: If you are looking for a small southern town to relocate to, Opelousas is a place to consider. It has a lengthy and colorful history, with adequate housing and shopping opportunities. The friendly residents of the area are most welcoming of newcomers.

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