Located in northwest Louisiana, Bossier Parish covers 867 sq. miles of land with ready access to I-20, I-49 and the planned I-69. Bordered by the Red River, Bossier Parish offers multimodal transportation options, including Class 1 rail, airports, and port transportation. With a population of 116,979 residents , Bossier Parish represents one of the fastest growing parishes in Louisiana. Unemployment in Bossier Parish stands at merely 5.3% (September 2012), much lower than the national unemployment rate of 7.6% (September 2012). The largest employer in northwest Louisiana is Barksdale Air Force Base, located south of Bossier City. Employing more nearly 11,000 people, Barksdale generates an annual economic impact of $753.8 million for the economy of Bossier Parish and surrounding communities. In 2009, the Air Force's newest command, Global Strike Command, was activated at Barksdale increasing the base's importance as a military facility and economic engine. Created to support Global Strike Command, Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) is a joint project between Bossier City, Bossier Parish and the State of Louisiana. CIC anchors a 3,000 acre National Cyber Research Park and serves as catalyst for the development and expansion of a knowledge-based workforce throughout the region. Bossier Parish Communities Bossier Parish Population Demographics Bossier Parish Workplace Statistics Bossier Parish Transportation Infrastructure Bossier Parish Major Employers Bossier Tax Structure
(2010 U.S. Census)
Population
116,976
Households
43,657
Median Age
34.7
Male Population
57,511 (49.2%)
Median Male Age
33.3
Female Population
59,468 (50.8%)
Median Female Age
36.1
5 Year Population Projection
124,332 to 153,416
Race
White
84,430 (72.2%)
African American
24,461 (20.9%)
American Indian or Alaska Native
641 (.5%)
Asian
1,927 (1.6%)
Other
5,357 (4.7%)
Hispanic Ethnicity
7,026 (6%)
Income
Median Household Income
$44,932
Average Household Income
$54,583
Per Capita Income
$21,234
Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission, Sept. 2012
Civilian Labor
55,439
Employed
52,483
Unemployed
2,956
Unemployment rate
5.3%
White Collar Jobs
56.7%
Service Jobs
20.4%
Blue Collar Jobs
22.9%
Educational Attainment Diploma or Higher (Age 25+)
62.5%
High School Graduate
33.5%
Associate Degree
9.5%
Bachelor’s Degree
13.5%
Master’s or Doctorate
6%
Weekly Wages- 3Q 2010
Average Weekly Wage
$714
Private Employers
Employees
2,000
837
644
530
458
409
289
222
200
180
Public Employers
8,655
2,831
971
552
258
93.37 - 114.39 Mills*
Total Sales Taxes in Bossier Parish
8.25%**
Total Sales Taxes in Bossier City
9.00%
Total Sales Taxes in Benton
9.25%
Total Sales Taxes in Haughton
Total Sales Taxes in Plain Dealing
* To calculate property tax, multiply the assessed value of the property by the appropriate millage rate. The assessed value is the fair market value of the property times 10% for real property or 15% for personal property. ** Sales taxes include a 4% state tax along with a local portion