Newly released city population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau for the years between 2010 and 2014 paint a drastically different picture for Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
While Baton Rouge’s population dipped by 0.2% between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2014—falling by 598 residents, from 229,493 to 228,895—New Orleans added 40,491 residents over the span and returned to the list of America’s 50 most populous cities.
The population estimates, released Thursday, mark the first time since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that New Orleans has been listed among the nation’s 50 largest cities. Arlington, Texas, dropped off the list. New Orleans’ population swelled from 343,829 residents in 2010 to 384,320 in 2014, a growth rate of 11.7%.
Meanwhile, in the Capital Region, population growth was a mixed bag between 2010 and 2014. If you think residents have been leaving Baton Rouge for the suburbs, the figures suggest you’re only half right.
While cities such as Central, Gonzales, Livingston, Walker and Zachary all posted population increases over the span, others such as Baker, Denham Springs, Port Allen and St. Francisville all saw their populations fall. Here’s a rundown of the specifics:
- Baker: 13,776 in 2014, down 0.8% from 13,895 in 2010.
- Central: 28,119 in 2014, up 4.6% from 26,894 in 2010.
- Denham Springs: 10,097 in 2014, down 1.1% from 10,215 in 2010.
- Gonzales: 10,457 in 2014, up 6.9% from 9,781 in 2010.
- Livingston: 1,905 in 2014, up 7.6% from 1,769 in 2010.
- Port Allen: 5,144 in 2014, down 0.6% from 5,180 in 2010.
- St. Francisville: 1,716 in 2014, down 2.7% from 1,765 in 2010.
- Walker: 6,238 in 2014, up 1.6% from 6,138 in 2010.
- Zachary: 16,219 in 2014, up 8.4% from 14,960 in 2010.
Nationwide, the new figures show the U.S. is now home to 10 cities with a population of 1 million or more, with Texas and California being home to three each. However, of the 19,509 incorporated places in the United States, the figures show around 76% (14,819) had fewer than 5,000 people in 2014. And only about 3.8% (749) had populations of 50,000 or more.
Get more details from the U.S. Census Bureau.
—Steve Sanoski
