St. Mary Parish has more than 53,000 residents contributing to a fascinating cultural mix in the “Heart of the Cajun Coast”. The blending of French, Italian, Spanish, English, African, Native Americans and Cajun Traditions have created a rich and flavorful “Gumbo” of communities dedicated to the family. There are five municipalities Morgan City, Berwick,

Patterson, Franklin and Baldwin and the Chitimacha Nation in Charenton. Each community offers its own charm and uniqueness where families can enjoy relaxed living and safe neighborhoods, ideal for raising children or seniors to spoil grandchildren.

Uniqueness
Because St. Mary Parish has a unique blending of cultures, it has a way of offering something to most everyone. This blending has lead to the development of some of the most charming historical sites of the south, comfortable contemporary subdivisions and a preservation of the rural "way of life." These changing themes of community represent the changing generations and their strong rooted beliefs of the opportunities this area has to offer. These opportunities are rich in traditional innovation and encourage the prospect of welcoming new families to the area.

Historic Charm
The Atchafalaya River and Bayou Teche have been main factors in the development, setlement, and growth of St. Mary Parish. Two dominant cities grew because ojf theseaccesses - Franklin and Morgan City. Franklin became known for its sugarcane plantations while Morgan City became known for its shrimping, fur trade, and marine industries. These two cities and their surrounding areas flourished due to the innovations of the steamboat industry as well as the introduction of the railroad. These historical introductions are still very much an intricate part of the parish's accessibility and capability for commerce and trade in today's market.