A record number of U.S. counties and parishes—more than 1 in 3—are now dying off, diminished by an aging population and weakened local economies that are spurring young adults to seek jobs and create families elsewhere, according to new U.S. census estimates released today. The 2012 estimates highlight the population shifts as the U.S. encounters its most sluggish growth levels since the Great Depression. The findings also reflect the increasing economic importance of foreign-born residents as the U.S. ponders an overhaul of a major 1965 federal immigration law. Without new immigrants, many metropolitan areas—including New York City, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh and St. Louis—would have posted flat or negative population growth in the last year. With a slowly improving U.S. economy, young adults are now back on the move, departing traditional big cities to test the job markets mostly in the South and West, which had sustained the biggest hits in the housing...
A movement is afoot to create another new city in the Capital Region. A citizens group has scheduled a public forum for Thursday to decide whether to move forward with a petition seeking a vote to incorporate Watson. The community north of Denham Springs is the fastest-growing area in Livingston Parish. If incorporated, its estimated population would be 22,000 people, immediately propelling it past Denham Springs and Walker as the parish's largest city. Once a petition is formalized, organizers have 60 days to gather signatures from 25% of the roughly 12,300 registered voters within the proposed city limits to put a proposition on the ballot, possibly as early as Oct. 19. As an unincorporated area of Livingston Parish, Watson is currently governed by the Livingston Parish president and council. More than two decades ago, a similar proposal for incorporation failed. Gene Baker is spearheading the latest movement for Neighbors in Action, a grassroots organization that has also taken a...
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Louisiana's population ticked up by 0.59% between July 2011 and July 2012. The Bayou State's population increased by a net of 27,127 residents over that span, bringing the 2012 population estimate to 4,601,893. Nationwide, the Census Bureau estimates the U.S. added 2.3 million people up through July, an increase of 0.8% over the year. In terms of total residents, the most populous states—Texas, California and Florida—registered the largest gains. Governing magazine has taken the Census figures from the 2011 American Community Survey and created an interactive map to show where people are moving within the United States. It notes relatively few Americans moved during the year—about 12%—and those who did find new homes didn't travel far. Louisiana was no exception. Texas, Florida, Mississippi and Georgia were the most popular destinations for those who left Louisiana during the year. Likewise, Texas...
Indeed, this is our 30th anniversary issue, yet when looking back at how Baton Rouge has grown, evolved and sprawled into the Capital Region over the past three decades, one must actually go back 31 years, to 1981. That was the year in which a U.S. district judge by the name of John Parker issued a legal ruling that not only instituted the intended consequence of forced public school busing in East Baton Rouge Parish, but also had the unintended consequence of becoming the flashpoint for what we now call the Capital Region.
Of all the changes that have happened in the Capital Region over the past 30 years, getting a new area code in 1998 is far from the most momentous. But if nothing else, the 225 area code unites the Capital Region, and it's one thing that touches pretty much everyone's life—at least, everyone who has ever given out their phone number.
Among U.S. cities with populations of 100,000 or more, New Orleans grew the fastest between April 2010 and July 2011, new U.S. Census figures show. Although Texas dominated the list as a whole—accounting for eight of the 15 cities on the list—New Orleans took the No. 1 spot by adding nearly 17,000 residents, a 4.9% increase. New Orleans now has about 80% of the residents it had as of July 1, 2005—less than three months before Hurricane Katrina. The new figures out from the Census Bureau show Baton Rouge added just 646 people between April 2010 and July of last year, about a 0.3% increase. Baton Rouge had 230,139 residents in the latest tally. "These estimates provide our first look at how much the total population has changed in each of our nation's cities since we conducted the 2010 Census," Census Bureau Director Robert Groves says. "These numbers provide further evidence of a continuation of the trend of rapid population growth in Texas we observed between the...
In a state that has more than its share of charming historic places, West Feliciana Parish is a standout. With rolling hills, breathtaking antebellum plantation homes and the historic town of St. Francisville—which in many ways feels more like New England than nearby New Roads—it is a popular weekend getaway, tourist destination and retirement community. But as in so many charming places, West Feliciana Parish's greatest strengths are also its greatest weaknesses. The farmland is sprawling, crowds and congestion are sparse, and the town—unspoiled by big-box stores and cheesy strip centers—looks much like it did a century ago. Which means there's not much commerce or industry, not many opportunities for young people to make a living, and not much of a tax base. It's a problem and it's getting worse. Local government has responded by jacking up property and sales taxes. But how much can you tax a small population, especially when one-third of it comprises the...
In a state that has more than its share of charming historic places, West Feliciana Parish is a standout. With rolling hills, breathtaking antebellum plantation homes and the historic town of St. Francisville—which in many ways feels more like New England than nearby New Roads—it is a popular weekend getaway, tourist destination and retirement community.
Census shows record 1 in 3 U.S. counties seeing population declines
A record number of U.S. counties and parishes—more than 1 in 3—are now dying off, diminished by an aging population and weakened local economies that are spurring young adults to seek jobs and create families elsewhere, according to new U.S. census estimates released today. The 2012 estimates highlight the population shifts as the U.S. encounters its most sluggish growth levels since the Great Depression. The findings also reflect the increasing economic importance of foreign-born residents as the U.S. ponders an overhaul of a major 1965 federal immigration law. Without new immigrants, many metropolitan areas—including New York City, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh and St. Louis—would have posted flat or negative population growth in the last year. With a slowly improving U.S. economy, young adults are now back on the move, departing traditional big cities to test the job markets mostly in the South and West, which had sustained the biggest hits in the housing...
New push to incorporate Watson begins
A movement is afoot to create another new city in the Capital Region. A citizens group has scheduled a public forum for Thursday to decide whether to move forward with a petition seeking a vote to incorporate Watson. The community north of Denham Springs is the fastest-growing area in Livingston Parish. If incorporated, its estimated population would be 22,000 people, immediately propelling it past Denham Springs and Walker as the parish's largest city. Once a petition is formalized, organizers have 60 days to gather signatures from 25% of the roughly 12,300 registered voters within the proposed city limits to put a proposition on the ballot, possibly as early as Oct. 19. As an unincorporated area of Livingston Parish, Watson is currently governed by the Livingston Parish president and council. More than two decades ago, a similar proposal for incorporation failed. Gene Baker is spearheading the latest movement for Neighbors in Action, a grassroots organization that has also taken a...
La. posts population gains in latest Census report; most who left didn't go far
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Louisiana's population ticked up by 0.59% between July 2011 and July 2012. The Bayou State's population increased by a net of 27,127 residents over that span, bringing the 2012 population estimate to 4,601,893. Nationwide, the Census Bureau estimates the U.S. added 2.3 million people up through July, an increase of 0.8% over the year. In terms of total residents, the most populous states—Texas, California and Florida—registered the largest gains. Governing magazine has taken the Census figures from the 2011 American Community Survey and created an interactive map to show where people are moving within the United States. It notes relatively few Americans moved during the year—about 12%—and those who did find new homes didn't travel far. Louisiana was no exception. Texas, Florida, Mississippi and Georgia were the most popular destinations for those who left Louisiana during the year. Likewise, Texas...
A defining decision
Indeed, this is our 30th anniversary issue, yet when looking back at how Baton Rouge has grown, evolved and sprawled into the Capital Region over the past three decades, one must actually go back 31 years, to 1981. That was the year in which a U.S. district judge by the name of John Parker issued a legal ruling that not only instituted the intended consequence of forced public school busing in East Baton Rouge Parish, but also had the unintended consequence of becoming the flashpoint for what we now call the Capital Region.
The 411 on 225
Of all the changes that have happened in the Capital Region over the past 30 years, getting a new area code in 1998 is far from the most momentous. But if nothing else, the 225 area code unites the Capital Region, and it's one thing that touches pretty much everyone's life—at least, everyone who has ever given out their phone number.
N.O. tops fastest-growing cities list
Among U.S. cities with populations of 100,000 or more, New Orleans grew the fastest between April 2010 and July 2011, new U.S. Census figures show. Although Texas dominated the list as a whole—accounting for eight of the 15 cities on the list—New Orleans took the No. 1 spot by adding nearly 17,000 residents, a 4.9% increase. New Orleans now has about 80% of the residents it had as of July 1, 2005—less than three months before Hurricane Katrina. The new figures out from the Census Bureau show Baton Rouge added just 646 people between April 2010 and July of last year, about a 0.3% increase. Baton Rouge had 230,139 residents in the latest tally. "These estimates provide our first look at how much the total population has changed in each of our nation's cities since we conducted the 2010 Census," Census Bureau Director Robert Groves says. "These numbers provide further evidence of a continuation of the trend of rapid population growth in Texas we observed between the...
West Feliciana in a struggle to balance growth, preservation
In a state that has more than its share of charming historic places, West Feliciana Parish is a standout. With rolling hills, breathtaking antebellum plantation homes and the historic town of St. Francisville—which in many ways feels more like New England than nearby New Roads—it is a popular weekend getaway, tourist destination and retirement community. But as in so many charming places, West Feliciana Parish's greatest strengths are also its greatest weaknesses. The farmland is sprawling, crowds and congestion are sparse, and the town—unspoiled by big-box stores and cheesy strip centers—looks much like it did a century ago. Which means there's not much commerce or industry, not many opportunities for young people to make a living, and not much of a tax base. It's a problem and it's getting worse. Local government has responded by jacking up property and sales taxes. But how much can you tax a small population, especially when one-third of it comprises the...
The Big Divide
In a state that has more than its share of charming historic places, West Feliciana Parish is a standout. With rolling hills, breathtaking antebellum plantation homes and the historic town of St. Francisville—which in many ways feels more like New England than nearby New Roads—it is a popular weekend getaway, tourist destination and retirement community.