Bossier City

About Bossier City

Bossier City is a steadily-growing city located on the east bank of the Red River. It maintains deep economic and social ties to its sister city across the river, Shreveport. Several city attractions entertain visitors and locals alike, while convenient amenities, affordable homes and plentiful entertainment have attracted many new residents.

The History of Bossier City

In the early 19th century, the land where Bossier City now sits was a large plantation owned by James Cane and his family. His first wife's brother established a trading post just across the river, and the surrounding community (named "Shreve Town") would eventually evolve into Shreveport. Throughout the mid-1800s, the community saw hundreds of wagons pass through on their journey west. A handful of those settlers chose to stay in Louisiana instead of continuing west, tempted by the promise of the area's fertile soil and scenic river valley. As a result, the local population grew considerably.

In the 1880s, the granddaughter of James Cane came up with the idea of advertising the community as a riverfront city. Her plan was successful, as many people were drawn to the area, and the town prospered. The arrival of the railroad and an unexpected oil discovery led to major population booms in Bossier City, which finally earned incorporation in the late 1800s.

Living in Bossier City

Bossier City offers a wide range of entertainment options, whether you enjoy shopping, dining, sports or the outdoors. Harrah's Louisiana Downs, a first-class thoroughbred racetrack with slot machines, is located on the east side of the city. It features three hotels on the property, as well as four riverboat casinos: Horseshoe, Diamond Jacks, Boomtown and Margaritaville.

CenturyLink Center is the city's local arena, hosting a variety of large sports events and concerts. Another popular destination in the area is Cypress Black Bayou, a large recreational area that offers fishing, swimming, boating and camping. The Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets provide you with plenty of shopping options as well as a large movie theater. Or you can enjoy the local scenery at one of Bossier City's many parks, which include recreational amenities such as children's playgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails and sports fields.

Bossier City Schools

The Bossier Parish School Board services Bossier City. Each of the schools in the district offers a variety of educational programs, including honors classes, advanced placement, robotics, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and enhanced enrichment courses.

If you're considering pursuing higher education in Bossier City, you can take advantage of the conveniently-located Bossier Parish Community College.

Resources for Moving to Bossier City

Here's some helpful information to make your move to Bossier City as easy as possible:

• Utilities: The city's primary energy provider is Southwestern Electric Power Co., while the local utilities department manages water and sewer services.
• Garbage and Recycling: Depending on your assigned collection location (curbside or side yard), you may receive a waste disposal can from the city. The local recycling center accepts all recyclable items.
• Transportation: SporTran operates the public transportation network in Bossier City, which mainly comprises bus routes in and around the city.

Bossier City Housing

Bossier City has a range of housing options and a fairly affordable median price that falls below national averages. Although it's slightly more expensive than its neighboring city of Shreveport, the difference is not extreme. With a variety of apartments, town homes, condos and single-family homes to choose from, you'll be able to find something that works for you and your family.