Lafourche Parish

Established in 1807, Lafourche Parish was one of Louisiana’s original parishes and initially included present-day Terrebonne Parish until it was divided in 1822. Covering roughly 1,068 square miles, Lafourche is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Terrebonne Parish to the west, Assumption Parish to the northwest, and several other neighboring parishes to the north and east. The parish’s name derives from the waterway “La Fourche des Chétimachas,” now simply Bayou Lafourche, which has historically been a vital means of transportation and communication for the region.

Lafourche Parish’s economy is deeply rooted in agriculture, seafood, and the oil industry. It ranks among the top parishes for sugarcane, citrus, and beef production, and its seafood, including shrimp and crab, is a critical resource. Port Fourchon, located at the southern tip of the parish, plays a strategic role in the U.S. energy industry, providing services to 90% of Deepwater oil production in the Gulf of Mexico and supporting a significant portion of the nation’s domestic and foreign oil supply. The parish’s industries, combined with its rich Cajun culture and history, have shaped its identity as a key contributor to both “Feeding and Fueling America.”