Greenwood is a suburban town in southern Caddo Parish, which is located in the northwest corner of the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 3,166 at the 2020 United States census,

Earnest Lampkins (1928–2018), a native of Shreveport, earned a PhD and had a career as a music educator. He taught music at all levels, becoming supervisor of music for Caddo Parish. He founded the Louisiana School of Professions. In 2004, Lampkins was elected as the first black mayor of Greenwood, where he had long been active in the community. Against running for a second term, Lampkins ceased any intentions due to gunshots fired into his house, alongside continued threats and racism.

Geography

Greenwood is located in western Caddo Parish. Greenwood Road (U.S. Routes 80 and 79) is the main route through the center of town. Interstate 20 passes through the northern part of the town, with access from exits 3 and 5. Downtown Shreveport is to the east, and Waskom, Texas, is to the west. Carthage, Texas, is to the southwest down U.S. 79. Greenwood is approximately 165 miles east of Dallas, Texas, and about 290 miles northwest of New Orleans.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Greenwood has a total area of , of which , or 0.19%, is water.

Demographics

Since the establishment of Greenwood, its population was overshadowed by the larger and nearby Shreveport to its east, and Waskom, Texas to the west; at the 1970 United States census, the town of Greenwood had a population of 212. In 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau tabulated a population of 3,166, The average family size was 2.80, and the average household size was 2.34; in 2000, the average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00. Among its population, 92.3% have attained a high school diploma or higher, and 27.2% of residents attained a bachelor's degree or higher.

During the American Community Survey's 2020 census estimates, its median household income was $55,034; the mean income also slightly declined to $86,979.

Race and ethnicity

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"

|+Greenwood racial and ethnic composition as of 2020

! scope="col" | Race and ethnicity

! scope="col" | Number

! scope="col" | Percentage

|-

! scope="row" | White (non-Hispanic)

| 1,908

| 60.27%

|-

! scope="row" | Black or African American (non-Hispanic)

| 859

| 27.13%

|-

! scope="row" | Native American

| 22

| 0.69%

|-

! scope="row" | Asian

| 24

| 0.76%

|-

! scope="row" | Other/Mixed

| 193

| 6.1%

|-

! scope="row" | Hispanic or Latino

| 160

| 5.05%

|}

For a majority of Greenwood's history, the town has been predominantly non-Hispanic white, though diversification has broadened the racial and ethnic makeup of the suburban community alongside much of the United States.

According to the 2000 U.S. census, the racial and ethnic makeup of Greenwood was 77.01% White American, 20.63% Black or African American, 0.41% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.33% Asian, 0.16% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races and ethnicities, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino Americans of any race were 1.79% of the population. By the 2020 census, its racial and ethnic makeup was 60.27% non-Hispanic white, 27.13% Black or African American, 0.69% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.76% Asian, 6.1% multiracial or of another race or ethnicity, and 5.05% Hispanic or Latino American of any race.

Religion

According to Sperling's BestPlaces in 2020, the population of Greenwood has remained primarily Christian. Dominated by Protestantism as most of North and Central Louisiana, Baptists were the largest Christian tradition by adherence. Baptists in Greenwood are mainly served by the Southern Baptist Convention, though the predominantly Black or African American National Baptist Convention of America and National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. have congregations throughout the area. Following, Methodists and Pentecostals dominated the religious landscape, with Catholic Christians served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport.

Education

It is in the Caddo Parish School District.

References

  • Town of Greenwood official website