Census estimates show New Orleans up, Baton Rouge down

Population estimates released today by the U.S. Census indicate New Orleans’ population continues to climb, while Baton Rouge is on the decline. As of July 1, 2008, the Crescent City had an estimated 311,853 residents—up from 288,113 a year ago. That’s an 8% gain. Baton Rouge, meanwhile, dropped to 223,689 from 226,864 the previous year, a loss of slightly more than 1%. On the Northshore, Mandeville grew 22% to 12,421. Youngsville, Louisiana’s fastest-growing city several years in the running, grew by less than 9%. Elsewhere along the corridor, Lake Charles has almost 1,000 new residents, while Lafayette, Hammond and Slidell remained virtually flat. Lafayette, however, is the only city to show steady growth from 2000 to 2008. The latest numbers are not actual population counts, but rather estimates based on government records. Nor are they current; they reflect patterns only through July 1, 2008. — Penny Font