The Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in central Louisiana that covers two parishes – Rapides and Grant.

A total of 135,282 people lived in Rapides Parish in 1980.

Grant Parish was again added to the Alexandria MSA in 2003.

[5] As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 153,922 people, 56,193 households, and 40,083 families residing within the MSA.

The racial makeup of the MSA was 68.95% White, 24.04% African American, 1.56% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races.