Dear friends and colleagues,
Last month, the Census Bureau released 2018 estimates of key demographic characteristics for all parishes. These estimates reveal a number of notable findings:
- After growing every year since 2006, the number of African Americans in New Orleans fell for the first time post-Katrina from 232,118 in 2017 to 231,147 in 2018.
- The number of Hispanics has increased in all eight parishes post-Katrina. Jefferson Parish experienced the largest increase, with Hispanics nearly doubling in this parish to 64,499 in 2018.
- As the baby boomers age, the median age of the metro area has risen to 38 in 2018, up from 34.8 in 2000.
To be sure, annual Census numbers are just estimates. More important will be the results of the 2020 Census. It will be critical that all New Orleanians participate in that headcount on April 1, 2020, to ensure our area gets full representation and its share of federal funding.
Meanwhile, you can find the most recent Census demographic estimates in "Who Lives in New Orleans and Metro Parishes Now?" at:
Bringing you the data you need to make informed decisions,
The Data Center Team
Lamar Gardere, Rachel Weinstein, Arthur Rymer, Katrina Andry, Erica Amrine, Allison Plyer, Dabne Whitemore, Jenna Losh, Don Asay, and Robby Habans
