Iberia Parish, Louisiana
Iberia Parish (French: Paroisse de l'Ibérie, Spanish: Parroquia de Iberia) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 69,929; the parish seat is New Iberia.
Iberia Parish | |
|---|---|
Parish | |
Historic House and Garden Shadows-on-the-Teche | |
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana | |
Louisiana's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 29°47′N 91°47′W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Founded | October 30, 1868 |
| Named for | Iberian Peninsula |
| Seat | New Iberia |
| Largest city | New Iberia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,031 sq mi (2,670 km2) |
| • Land | 574 sq mi (1,490 km2) |
| • Water | 456 sq mi (1,180 km2) 44% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 69,929 |
| • Density | 68/sq mi (26/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | iberiaparishgovernment |
The parish was formed in 1868 during the Reconstruction era and named for the Iberian Peninsula. It is part of the 22-parish Acadiana region of the state, with a large Francophone population. Some of its ethnic French residents had ancestors who settled here after being expelled in the 18th century by the British from Acadia in present-day Canada. Historically, it has also been a center for sugar cane cultivation and produces the most sugar of any parish in the state.
Iberia Parish is part of the Lafayette metropolitan area. The Port of Iberia has a waterway with access to the Gulf Coast.