Winnsboro is a town in, and the parish seat of Franklin Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of 2020, its population was 4,862.

History

Franklin Parish was created on March 1, 1843, from portions of Ouachita, Catahoula, and Madison parishes through the efforts of Louisiana Senator John Winn. Land for a centrally located parish seat, Winnsborough (later Winnsboro), was purchased in 1844. It was designated as the parish seat of government in 1846 and incorporated on March 18, 1902. Early Winnsboro City records show that the telephone came to Winnsboro in 1905; electricity in 1914; and water and sewer service in 1923. In 1924, a volunteer fire department was formed. Most of the community's streets were hard surfaced after 1950.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 10.73 km2, of which 10.57 km2 is land and 0.16 km2, or 1.49%, is water.

Climate

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,862 people, 1,504 households, and 1,007 families residing in the town.

Economy

The economic base of Winnsboro consists of companies in the apparel, boat manufacturing, bottling and food products industries, aviation, healthcare, agriculture and agricultural related industries. There is a large grain elevator.

Arts and culture

A post office, built in 1936, featured a New Deal program mural, Logging in Louisiana Swamps (1939), by Datus Ensign Myers. The building now contains the Old Post Office Museum. The Princess Theatre was built in 1907, closed in 1988, and reopened as a live performance venue in 1994.

Education

Public schools

Public education in Winnsboro is managed by the Franklin Parish School Board. There are two schools: Franklin Parish High formed in 2005 with the consolidations of Crowville and Winnsboro high schools.

Private schools

Higher education

Louisiana Technical College's Northeast Louisiana Campus is located in Winnsboro.

Infrastructure

Healthcare

Winnsboro is the home of the only hospital located in Franklin Parish. Franklin Medical Center has been a part of Franklin Parish since 1970. The hospital is a 39-bed acute care facility. There are four health clinics owned by Franklin Medical Center located in Franklin and Tensas parishes.

National Guard

921st Engineer Company (Horizontal), part of the 528th Engineer Battalion which belongs to the 225th Engineer Brigade, is located in Winnsboro.

Notable people