In 1785, Assumption had a population of 646. By an act of the legislature of Orleans territory in 1807, Assumption was created as the 8 th parish of the territory. Napoleonville, situated on Bayou Lafourche, at about the center of the parish, is the parish seat. Many thousands of acres are flooded, however, because of their low elevation and lack of adequate outlets. Most of the flooded soils are in woodland.
Sugarcane is the main crop.
In proportion to its area, Assumption Parish produces more sugar than any parish of Louisiana. With the success of sugar granulation procedures developed in 1749, a few sugarcane plantations were established as early as 1803, but it was not until 1861 that sugarcane became the principal crop grown in the parish. Most of the soils in the parish not subject to flooding have been used for the production of sugarcane. The loamy soils of the parish are well suited to the production of truck and vegetable crops, but at present commercial crops are not produced extensively. However, many home gardens can be found.