It was speculated that Louisiana’s population would never recover after Hurricane Katrina, but new information may give state officials some hope.
A recent state estimate released by the Census Bureau shows Louisiana’s population is on the rise.
The state lost 250,000 residents in the aftermath of Katrina, but according to estimates by the Census Bureau, 50,000 residents have returned in the past year.
The Census Bureau takes a census of the United States every 10 years determine the votes in the electoral college. Before the 10-year mark, the bureau works with the Federal State Cooperative Program for Population Estimates to release estimates based on birth, death and migration rates.
The state population estimate began July 1, 2006, and ended July 1, 2007. The release showed Nevada is the fast-growing state. Meanwhile, Texas is the biggest gainer, and California is the most populous this year.
“We are just getting back to normal,” said Caroline Leung, FSCPE Louisiana contact. “We are getting more and more people each year. And they are moving back because that is their home, and they have a very strong bond to their origins.”
GCR & Associates, Inc., which specializes in consulting and information systems for urban planning and disaster recovery, has gathered information on New Orleans and its surrounding areas.
The New Orleans metro area has been occupied by a small percentage of people from other states who came to help rebuild. But as the city redevelops and necessities become readily available, the original residents are returning.
“There is nothing like an economic incentive to attract people.” said Gregory C. Rigamer, CEO of GCR & Associates, Inc. and a lifelong New Orleans resident.
Rigamer said a slight majority of the population numbers are people helping with rebuilding efforts. He said the clear majority of the population are residents moving back.
A study released by GCR shows New Orleans is expected to be even closer to its original population in the first quarter of 2008.
—-Contact Megan Williams at [email protected].