# Rayne, Louisiana

Rayne is a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, in Acadia Parish. With a population of 7,326 at the 2020 United States census, it is nicknamed the "Frog Capital of the World", as well as the "Louisiana City of Murals". Rayne is part of the Crowley micropolitan statistical area, and within the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area in Acadiana.

## History

Rayne is located in Acadia Parish and has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. The area that would become Rayne was originally part of a large land grant awarded to French settlers in the 18th century. These settlers were primarily involved in agriculture, cultivating crops such as rice and sugarcane.
The establishment of Rayne began in earnest in the 1880s with the arrival of the railroad. The city was initially named Pouppeville, after a prominent local figure, but was soon renamed Rayne in honor of Rayne Grey, an engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad, whose efforts were instrumental in bringing the railroad to the area. The railroad not only facilitated transportation and commerce but also attracted a diverse population, contributing to the town's growth and development.
Rayne's association with frogs began in the early 20th century. Local entrepreneur Jacques Weil noticed the abundance of frogs in the region and started exporting frog legs to New Orleans. This venture proved successful, and soon Rayne became known for its frog exports, earning its unique moniker. Over time, frogs became an integral part of the city's identity and culture.
Throughout its history, Rayne has experienced growth and modernization while retaining its small-town charm and distinctive character. The community values its historical roots and continues to celebrate its unique cultural heritage, making Rayne a noteworthy example of Louisiana's rich and diverse history.
Today, Rayne remains a vibrant community known for its warm hospitality, cultural festivals, and as a proud emblem of Acadian heritage in the heart of Louisiana.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.9 km$^2$), of which 0.0077 square miles (0.02 km$^2$), or 0.18%, is water. The city is located in Acadiana, and forms part of the Lafayette metropolitan area.

## Demographics

Rayne racial composition as of 2020 :
| Race | Number | Percentage |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 4,428 | 61.19% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 2,429 | 33.57% |
| Native American | 21 | 0.29% |
| Asian | 25 | 0.35% |
| Pacific Islander | 2 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 217 | 3.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 114 | 1.58% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,236 people, 2,834 households, and 1,879 families residing in the city. The 2019 American Community Survey estimated 8,041 people and 2,834 households resided in the city.
In 2019, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 58.0% non-Hispanic or Latino white, 37.6% Black or African American, 3.3% two or more races, and 1.1% Hispanic and Latin American of any race. At the 2000 United States census, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 65.55% White American, 33.52% African American, 0.11% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.16% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races; Hispanic and Latin Americans of any race were 0.81% of the population. From 2015 to 2019, the largest Hispanic and Latin American groups were Mexican Americans and stateside Puerto Ricans (0.3% each).
There were 2,834 households and 3,463 housing units at the 2019 American Community Survey. Of the 1,569 occupied housing units, 879 were married couples living together, 97 were male households with no female present, and 137 female households with no male present. The average family size was 3.34, up from 3.22 at the 2000 census, and 38.0% of the population were never married.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 10.9% aged 5 and under, 76.0% aged 18 and older, and 16.6% aged 65 and older. The median age was 40.2 years, up from 34 years in 2000. The largest ancestry groups among the population were French (18.8%), Irish (6.6%), sub-Saharan African (2.1%), German (1.9%), English (1.4%), Scottish (0.9%), and Italian (0.7%). An estimated 10.1% spoke a language other than English at home, and Spanish was spoken by 1.1% of the population; other Indo-European languages were spoken by 8.7% of the population.
At the 2019 American Community Survey, the median household income was $32,266 and the median income for a family was $41,721; married couples had a median income of $53,373 and non-family households were $17,917. About 30.4% of the population lived at or below the poverty line, and 38.2% of the city aged under 18 lived at or below the poverty line; 32.4% of the population aged 65 and older were at or below the poverty line.

## Arts and culture

Rayne hosts their annual Frog Festival the second weekend in May. The festival, which began in 1973, attracts thousands of visitors each year. It's a family-friendly event filled with a variety of activities and entertainment that reflect the city's distinctive character, including frog racing and jumping contests, frog-eating competitions, carnival rides, and live music performances.
Year-round, there are frog sculptures, murals, signs, and statues for visitors to see.

## Tornado strike

An EF2 tornado hit Rayne on March 5, 2011, injuring at least twelve people and killing one person, leveling homes and causing natural gas leaks that prompted evacuations.

## Education

The Acadia Parish School Board serves the city. Rayne High School, home of the Mighty Wolves, is located in Rayne.
Other schools in Rayne include:
* Central Rayne Kindergarten
* Martin Pettijean Elementary
* South Rayne Elementary
* Armstrong Middle School
* Rayne Catholic Elementary

## Notable people

* Cajun and swamp pop musicians Johnnie Allan, Lee Benoit, Amedée Breaux, Harry Choates, Joe Falcon, "Happy Fats" LeBlanc (of the Rayne-Bo Ramblers), Belton Richard, Jo-El Sonnier, Tony Thibodeaux, Lawrence Walker, and Joe Werner
* Joshua Benton, director of Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University
* Clint Conque and Ed Zaunbrecher, American football coaches
* Catherine Fischer, deafblind librarian and author
* Rhonda Franklin, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Minnesota
* Mike Heinen, professional golfer
* Margaret Rose Henry, former majority leader of the Delaware Senate
* Donnie Meche, Gerard Melancon, and Elvis Perrodin, horse racing jockeys
* Byron Mouton, former standout basketball player at Tulane and Maryland
* Gerald Paddio, former NBA basketball player
* Dave Petitjean, humorist and actor
* Addison Rae (Easterling), American social media personality and dancer
* Josh Reed, LSU standout and NFL wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills
* Irene Whitfield Holmes, ethnomusicologist

## Gallery

* Frog mural
* Depot Square with one of many Rayne rice mills in the background
* Rayne High School