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Shreveport, LA

Frequently asked questions

Shreveport, LA

Shreveport is a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is the third-most populous city in Louisiana after New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The bulk of Shreveport is in Caddo Parish, of which it is the parish seat. It extends along the west bank of the Red River into neighboring Bossier Parish. The 2020 census tabulation for the city's population was 187,593, while the Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan area had a population of 393,406.

Shreveport was founded in 1836 by the Shreve Town Company, a corporation established to develop a town at the juncture of the newly navigable Red River and the Texas Trail, an overland route into the newly independent Republic of Texas. It grew throughout the 20th century and, after the discovery of oil in Louisiana, became a national center for the oil industry. Standard Oil of Louisiana and United Gas Corporation were headquartered in the city until the 1960s and 1980s, respectively. After the loss of jobs in the oil industry, the closure of General Motors' Shreveport Operations, and other economic problems, it struggled with a declining population, poverty, drugs, and violent crime. However, the city continues in its efforts to revitalize its infrastructure, revive the economy through diversification, and lower crime. Despite these efforts, the city witnessed the largest number of homicides in its recorded history in 2021, eclipsing the previous record set in 1993.

Shreveport is the educational, commercial, and cultural center of the Ark-La-Tex region, where Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas meet. It is the location of Centenary College of Louisiana, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Louisiana Tech University Shreveport, Southern University at Shreveport, and Louisiana Baptist University. It forms part of the I-20 Cyber Corridor linking Shreveport to Dallas and Atlanta. Companies with significant operations or headquarters in Shreveport are Amazon, Regions Financial Corporation, JPMorgan Chase, Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, AT&T Mobility, United Parcel Service, Walmart, SWEPCO, General Electric, UOP LLC, Calumet Specialty Products Partners, and APS Payroll.

Shreveport is located in Northwest Louisiana. It is the center of the Ark-La-Tex region where Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas meet. It is also part of the I-20 Cyber Corridor linking the tech-centered Dallas–Fort Worth, Shreveport–Bossier, Greater Monroe, and Greater Atlanta metropolitan areas together. The city of Shreveport is 188 miles (303 km) from Dallas, 98 miles (158 km) from Tyler, and 41 miles (66 km) from Marshall, Texas; 215 miles (346 km) from Little Rock and 73 miles (117 km) from Texarkana, Arkansas; and 250 miles (400 km) from the state capital of Baton Rouge, 99 miles (159 km) from Monroe, 69 miles (111 km) from Ruston, and 30 miles (48 km) from Minden, Louisiana. The city's proximity to the nearby cities makes it North Louisiana and the Ark-La-Tex's transportation hub.

Shreveport is the parish seat of Caddo Parish. Portions of the city extend into neighboring Bossier Parish, bordering Bossier City. Shreveport sits on a low elevation overlooking the Red River. Western and northern portions of Shreveport have an elevation of over 253 feet (77 m) above sea level. Pine forests, cotton fields, wetlands, and waterways mark the outskirts of the city. According to the United States Census Bureau in 2010, the city had a total area of 122.35 sq mi (316.88 km²), of which 107.14 sq mi (277.48 km²) is land and 15.21 sq mi (39.40 km²) is water.

Shreveport places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Highland Medical Center and Ochsner LSU Health offer comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. The city's commitment to well-being extends to outdoor enthusiasts, with attractions like the picturesque Red River National Wildlife Refuge, providing ample opportunities for recreational activities. Planet Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Enjoy a peaceful walk or jog at Betty Virginia Park, known for its beautiful scenery and well-maintained trails. For yoga enthusiasts, Bloom Yoga offers classes that cater to all levels, helping you achieve balance and relaxation. If you're interested in martial arts, Synergy Martial Arts Academy offers classes in various disciplines for all skill levels.

Top sites in Shreveport, LA are R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Shreveport Aquarium, and Louisiana State Exhibit Museum.

Population: 176,578 (2024). ZIP codes: 71101-71109, 71115-71166. Area codes: 318, 457. Elevation: 144 feet (43.9 m). Area: 122.4 square miles (316.8 km²).

FAQs

What is Shreveport, LA best known for?

Shreveport is probably best known for its flashy riverboat casinos, but the city is overflowing with other activities and adventures. The annual Film Prize for short films and the Music Prize are part of the Prize Fest that attracts thousands of visitors to Shreveport. Downtown festivals, such as the Red River Revel and the Mudbug Madness Festival, anchor Shreveport's entertainment scene. 

What is the crime rate in Shreveport, LA?

With a crime rate of 46 per one thousand residents, Shreveport has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 22. Within Louisiana, more than 91% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Shreveport.

Why is the history of Shreveport, LA?

Shreveport was established to create a town at the meeting point of the Brown Bricks and the Texas Trail. The Red River was made navigable by Captain Henry Miller Shreve, who led the United States Army Corps of Engineers' efforts to clear the Red River. A 180-mile-long (290 km) natural log jam, the Great Raft, had previously obstructed passage to shipping. Shreve used a specially modified riverboat, the Heliopolis, to remove the log jam. The company and the village of Shreve Town were named in Shreve's honor.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Shreveport

Real Estate US News

Neighborhood Scout

R.W. Norton Art Gallery

Shreveport Aquarium

Louisiana State Exhibit Museum

Highland Medical Center

Ochsner LSU Health

Red River National Wildlife Refuge

Planet Fitness

Betty Virginia Park

Bloom Yoga

Synergy Martial Arts Academy

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.