Who Lives in New Orleans and Metro Parishes Now?

This brief examines the most current demographic data released by the U.S. Census Bureau and identifies important trends in metro area parishes. Included are data on race and ethnicity, age, educational attainment, internet access, poverty, income, children, access to vehicles, foreign-born population, geographic mobility, homeownership, homeowners with a mortgage, housing costs and affordability, single-person households, commuting, and housing stock.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 1,270,530 residents were living in metro New Orleans as of July 2019, a 7 percent increase from April 2010.1 The metro area now has 95 percent of its 2000 population of 1,337,726. In this brief, we examine demographic data released by the U.S. Census Bureau and identify important changes in metro area parishes since 2000 (or the best benchmark available).

Race/Ethnicity

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 population estimates, there are now 92,974 fewer African Americans living in New Orleans (Orleans Parish) compared to 2000, but there are also 8,289 fewer whites. Meanwhile, the number of Hispanics grew by 6,658.2

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 and Population Estimates 2019.

What is Orleans Parish? Orleans Parish is the city of New Orleans. New Orleans and Orleans Parish are interchangeable. Their boundaries are the same, and they contain the same population.

In Orleans Parish, the share of the 2019 population that is African American — while lower than in 2000 when it was 67 percent — continues to represent the majority of city residents at 59 percent. The share of Hispanics in the city increased from 3 percent in 2000 to 6 percent in 2019; the share of Asians increased from 2 percent to 3 percent; and the share of whites increased from 27 percent to 31 percent. Meanwhile, Hispanic, Asian, and African American populations increased as a share of the total population in Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. Tammany parishes, each. In fact, the number and share of Hispanics have increased in all eight parishes in the metro area.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 and Population Estimates 2019.

The number of African Americans living in New Orleans grew every year post-Katrina (from 2006 to 2017) but decreased for the first time post-Katrina from 231,943 in 2017 to 231,360 in 2018 and continued to decrease in 2019.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000, 2010, Intercensal Estimates 2006-2009, and Population Estimates 2019.

Between 2000 and 2019, the number of Hispanics in Jefferson Parish increased by 32,109 reaching over 15 percent of the total parish population. Orleans Parish and St. Tammany Parish gained 6,658 and 15,186 Hispanics, respectively, such that the Hispanic share of the population was 6 percent in Orleans and 6 percent in St. Tammany in 2019.

As of July 2019, there were 114,657 Hispanics in the metro area, representing 9 percent of the metro population. This is up from 2000 when there were 58,545, representing 4 percent of the metro population. Despite these recent gains, the Hispanic share of the population in metro area parishes is far below the average for the United States, which has grown from 12 percent to 18 percent of the total U.S. population over these 18 years.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 and Population Estimates 2019.

The number of Hispanics in New Orleans metro has grown every year since 2006. Indeed while the overall metro population has grown 7 percent since 2010, the Hispanic population has grown 24 percent such that Hispanics account for 28 percent of the metro’s population growth since 2010.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000, 2010, Intercensal Estimates 2006-2009, and Population Estimates 2019.

Hispanic is an umbrella term comprising multiple nationalities and ethnicities. Researchers have shown that most Hispanics prefer to identify by nationality rather than by pan-ethnic terms such as “Hispanic” and “Latino.”3 The nationalities of Hispanics residing in metro New Orleans is quite distinct from the national Hispanic profile.

In 2018, the largest Hispanic group in metro New Orleans was Honduran, representing 29 percent of the Hispanic population. In comparison, Hondurans represent only 2 percent of the national Hispanic population. These figures point to metro New Orleans as a hub of Honduran migration.

Not to be ignored, the Mexican population represents 20 percent of the Hispanic population in metro New Orleans. Nevertheless, the Mexican population is much less prominent in the metro than nationally, where it represents 62 percent of the Hispanic population.

* = Difference between indicated measure and the U.S. is not significant at 95% confidence interval. Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 and American Community Survey 2018.

Population by age and household types

The progression of the baby boomers through the age groups, along with falling birth rates, have brought massive changes to the metro — and indeed the whole country — with many more changes yet to come.4 Looking at the total population in the metro by five-year age groups for 2000 and 2019, the baby boomers are like a demographic tidal wave. Consequently, the median age of the metro has risen to 38.8 in 2018 from 34.8 in 2000.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Population Estimates 2019.

Meanwhile, the share of households with children is shrinking while the share of individuals living alone is growing — both across the metro and nation. As of 2018, 24 percent of households in metro New Orleans included children, down from 34 percent in 2000. Between 2000 and 2018, the percent of St. Tammany households with children declined from 40 percent to 30 percent; the percent of Jefferson households with children declined from 33 percent to 25 percent; and the percent of Orleans households with children declined from 30 percent to 17 percent.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

As households with children have declined, the share of single-person households has grown in the metro and nationwide. The metro area share of individuals living alone grew from 27 percent in 2000 to 35 percent in 2018 — similar to the trend for Jefferson Parish where the share of households living alone grew from 27 percent to 32 percent. The increase was larger in Orleans Parish, which jumped from 33 to 49 percent.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

While the metro has regained much of the post-Katrina population losses, youth population is substantially lower than pre-Katrina levels. The metro had 358,092 children under 18 years in 2000 and only 280,958 in 2019. Much of this loss was driven by Orleans Parish, where the under 18 population declined to 77,280 from 129,408. The under 18 population is now 22 percent of the metro population, down from 27 percent in 2000.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 and Population Estimates 2019.

Where is data for Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. James, St. Charles, and St. John the Baptist? Although race/ethnicity and age data is available for all eight parishes in metro New Orleans, most other demographic data (such as educational attainment, poverty, and homeownership) is available for only the three most populous parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Tammany, as well as the metro.

Educational attainment, income, and internet access

Educational attainment is an important determinant of household incomes, workforce skills, and regional resiliency.5 The proportion of adults 25 years and older with less than a high school education declined across all three of the largest parishes, leading to a metrowide decrease from 15 percent in 2000 to 12 percent in 2018. In the city of New Orleans, the share of adults with less than a high school degree fell from 25 percent to 13 percent but is still higher than the U.S. average of 12 percent.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

The metro area decline in the share of adults with less than a high school degree has been coupled with an increase in the share with a bachelor’s degree or higher. In New Orleans, 37 percent of adults 25 and older had a college degree in 2018 — higher than the U.S. average of 33 percent, and up from 26 percent in 2000. The overall metro area share of adults with a bachelor’s degree grew from 23 to 31 percent — lower than the national average.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

The 2018 median household income of $50,301 for the metro, $50,766 for Jefferson Parish, and $38,423 for the city are significantly lower than the U.S. median of $61,937. In Jefferson Parish, median household income declined 10 percent between 1999 and 2018, even after adjusting for inflation, falling to $50,766.

* = Difference between 1999 and 2018 is not significant at 95% confidence interval. Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

Internet access is an important indicator of access to information. Studies have shown that without broadband, computer access, and encompassing technology training services, workers and students are at a disadvantage in the job market and education system.6 Only 61 percent of households in Orleans Parish and only 69 percent of households in Jefferson Parish are connected to the Internet through a home-based internet service, such as broadband (cable, DSL, or fiber), satellite, or dial-up service, compared to 74 percent nationwide. St. Tammany is above the national average at 78 percent of households connected to the Internet by a home-based service internet connection. Internet access without a subscription refers to households who only have access through group access locations such as school, work, a library, or coffee shop.

An increasingly common way to access the Internet is through a smartphone or some other cellular device. While, in general, smartphone access contributes positively to lessening the Digital Divide, having access only through a smartphone restricts ability to fully leverage the Internet to complete common tasks such as writing and researching a resume, registering your kids for school, analyzing data about your neighborhood, or creating content for an internet business. 17 percent of households in Orleans Parish only have access through a smartphone. This is compared to 12 percent nationwide.

What is the Digital Divide? Inequalities between individuals, households, businesses, or geographic areas with regard to access, use of, or impact of information and communication technologies.

* = Difference between indicated measure and the U.S. is not significant at 95% confidence interval. Notes: Access with no subscription refers to those who receive free internet from their housing environment (e.g. college dorms). Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from American Community Survey 2018.

Poverty and access to vehicles

Individuals living below the poverty level indicate the economy is not providing all residents with the ability to meet their most basic needs, including food, housing, and transportation. The poverty rate in New Orleans decreased from 28 to 24 percent between 1999 and 2018 while the Jefferson Parish poverty rate remained statistically unchanged. Across the U.S., the poverty rate increased from 12 to 13 percent between 1999 and 2018.

* = Difference between 1999 and 2018 is not significant at 95% confidence interval. Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

Like the overall poverty rate, the child poverty rate in New Orleans decreased between 1999 and 2018. In Jefferson Parish, the child poverty rate jumped from 20 percent in 1999 to 26 percent in 2018 — greatly surpassing the U.S. child poverty rate, which rose from 17 to 18 percent between 1999 and 2018.

* = Difference between 1999 and 2018 is not significant at 95% confidence interval. Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

Post-Katrina, the share of New Orleans households without access to a vehicle dropped from 27 percent in 2000 to 19 percent in 2018. Nonetheless, at 19 percent, New Orleans’ share is more than twice as high as in neighboring parishes and the nation, indicating the importance of a robust public transportation system and comprehensive evacuation plan.

* = Difference between 1999 and 2018 is not significant at 95% confidence interval. Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

Foreign-born population and geographic mobility

A rising foreign-born share of the population may reflect expanding economic opportunities for both high-skilled and low-skilled workers.7 That share of the population has grown in all three of the most populous metro parishes since 2000, led by a 5.9 percentage point gain in Jefferson Parish. By 2018, fully 13.4 percent of Jefferson Parish population was foreign-born, statistically the same as the U.S. share. In Orleans Parish the foreign-born share of the population increased by 1.2 percentage points between 2000 and 2018 while St. Tammany Parish increased by 2 percentage points.

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

Like the foreign-born population, a rising share of the population who moved into Orleans Parish in the past year may reflect expanding economic opportunities. The most frequent reason people move long distances, such as from one state to another state, is for job opportunities.8 In addition, the young and well-educated are more likely than others to move long distances.9 In 2018, 6 percent of the population in Orleans Parish had moved into the parish in the past year, up from 3 percent in 2004. Over 61 percent of the new movers into Orleans Parish came from outside the state of Louisiana. In Jefferson Parish, the share of the population who were new movers into the parish was 5 percent in 2004, and has not significantly changed.

Notes: Share not included in the bar chart represents the population who lived in the same house one year ago (non-movers). For people living in the same house as a year ago, the difference between 2004 and 2018 is not significant at the 95% confidence interval for Jefferson. It is significant for all other geographies Notes: Also, 2004 data is not available for St. Tammany Parish. * = Difference between 2004 and 2018 is not significant at 95% confidence interval. Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from American Community Survey 2004 and 2018.

Homeownership

Homeownership rates across the U.S. have fallen since 2000 from 66 to 64 percent in 2018. Homeownership rates have held steady in St. Tammany around 80 percent since 2000. In contrast, homeownership rates in New Orleans have increased slightly, but still are a much lower 48 percent.

* = Difference between 1999 and 2018 is not significant at 95% confidence interval. Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

Homeowners without a mortgage own their homes free and clear of any type of loan. A high share of such homeowners usually indicates residents living in the same house for long periods of time, and helps shield neighborhoods from foreclosures. The proportion of metro area homeowners without a mortgage has increased from 35 to 45 percent between 2000 and 2018, driven by changes in Orleans and Jefferson. The share of homeowners without a mortgage jumped from 33 to 49 percent in Orleans and from 35 to 47 percent in Jefferson. One reason for the surge may be that homeowners who returned after Katrina used insurance or Road Home proceeds to pay off their mortgage principal. In fact, Orleans and Jefferson received the first and second largest number of Road Home Option 1 grants among all Louisiana parishes.10

Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

Housing costs and affordability, housing stock, and commuting

High housing costs can limit a region’s ability to attract and retain the workforce essential for a healthy economy.11 Severe housing cost burdens of more than 50 percent of household income indicate a serious problem in housing affordability. In 2004, the share of severely cost-burdened renters in New Orleans and the U.S. was 24 percent. In the 14 years since, that share has spiked to 37 percent in Orleans while rising to only 25 percent nationally. In Jefferson Parish, the share of renters paying more than 50 percent of household income on housing and utilities is 28 percent in 2018.

Notes: 2004 data is not available for St. Tammany Parish Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from American Community Survey 2004 and 2018.

The share of homeowners paying more than 50 percent of household income on their mortgage, taxes, utilities, and insurance is 1.5 percentage points less in metro area since 2004. There is a clear gap between the rate of housing cost burden for renters vs. homeowners, and that gap has widened.

Notes: 2004 data is not available for St. Tammany Parish * = Difference between 2004 and 2018 is not significant at 95% confidence interval. Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from American Community Survey 2004 and 2018.

The surge in the share of severely cost-burdened renters in New Orleans is reflective of the surge in the median gross rent (rent plus utilities) in the city. From 2004 to 2018, monthly rent plus utilities rose from $758 to $993 in New Orleans, a 31 percent increase after adjusting for inflation. Meanwhile, median gross rents increased 18 percent metrowide compared to only 14 percent nationwide.

Notes: 2004 data is not available for St. Tammany Parish Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from American Community Survey 2004 and 2018.

America’s aging housing stock represents both a potential problem and an opportunity. Older homes are less energy-efficient and more expensive to maintain.12 Moreover, research has shown that lead poisoning in children is correlated strongly with residing in pre-1950 homes.13 Conversely, in New Orleans, many older homes are protected by preservation laws that have helped retain the historic character of the city.

In Orleans Parish, fully 41 percent of all housing units are in pre-1950 structures. Meanwhile, in Jefferson Parish, 78 percent of the housing stock was built in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and just 15 percent of housing stock has been built since 1990. In contrast, in St. Tammany, the majority of housing units are in structures that have been built since 1990.

* = Difference between indicated measure and the U.S. is not significant at 95% confidence interval. Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from American Community Survey 2018.

A metro region is partially defined by the commuting patterns of its residents. Commuting has been studied more and more as the costs and burdens (physical, mental, familial, etc.) are uncovered. In addition, studies have shown that younger generations are less likely to drive cars, more likely to bike, and more likely to move into urban cores.14

The share of commuters in New Orleans using public transportation declined sharply from 13 percent in 2000 to 7 percent in 2018, while the share in Jefferson Parish has fallen from 2 percent in 2000, to 1 percent of commuters using public transportation in 2018. But the share of bike commuters in New Orleans rose to 4 percent. An analysis of 2017 ACS data found that New Orleans had the the fifth highest share of bike commuting of the largest 70 cities nationwide.15 Meanwhile, the metro share of carpoolers fell from 15 percent in 2000 to 9 percent in 2018, as did the Orleans Parish share from 16 percent to 8 percent.

The percentage of workers who commute by driving alone has increased within the metro region since 2000 from 73 percent to 79 percent, driven by a 60 to 68 percent rise in Orleans Parish. This goes against the national trend, where the share driving alone remained steady between 2000 and 2018 and where public transit use has also remained steady.

* = Difference between 2000 and 2018 is not significant at 95% confidence interval. Source: The Data Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Census 2000 SF3 and American Community Survey 2018.

Data Sources / Methodology

Data on race/ethnicity and age is from the Census Bureau vintage 2018 population estimates and Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF1). Other demographic data is from the Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF3) and American Community Survey 2004, and 2018 (single-year files).

Statistical tests of significance were computed at the 95% confidence level for all data from the American Community Survey and Census 2000 SF3. An “*” indicates that differences between two time periods or geographies are not significant, and therefore are the result of sampling variability rather than real change in characteristics of the population.

The significance tests require both estimates and their standard errors. Standard errors for the ACS estimates were calculated using formulas from section 7, “Understanding Error and Determining Statistical Significance” available at: https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2018/acs/acs_general_handbook_2018.pdf.

Standard errors for Census 2000 SF3 data were calculated using formulas from Chapter 8 of the Technical Documentation available at: http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf3.pdf.

Standard errors for Census 2000 and Census 2010 SF1 data are zero.

Endnotes