As of the census of 2000, there were 23,388 people, 8,239 households, and 6,311 families living in the parish. The population density was 69 people per square mile (27/km2). There were 9,635 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the parish was 67.17% White, 31.52% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 81.14% of the population over the age of five spoke only English at home, while 17.58% reported speaking French or Cajun French [http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=22&county_id=7&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r].