State predicts corridor growth will continue

Looks like population growth along the 10/12 corridor is going to continue. New official state projections indicate the populations of Livingston, Ascension and St. Tammany parishes are expected to more than double by 2030. Here’s the most startling prediction: In just 20 years, St. Tammany may have more residents than East Baton Rouge. If projections bear true, St. Tammany could be home to 459,160 people – up from 219,870 in the year before Katrina. Livingston’s population is projected to climb to 242,780 – up from 109,030. And Ascension could expect 196,140 residents – up from 90,450 before the storms. Moderate growth is projected for Lafayette Parish over the next 20 years – about 25,000 people. Meanwhile, the population of East Baton Rouge Parish is projected to reach a high of 433,700 in 2010 before losing 12,200 people by 2030. To read the full story, click here. To see the state’s estimates for each parish, click here. – Penny Brown Font