Orleans became a majority black parish in 1978. The black population dominates eastern New Orleans and the Central City. Although many blacks were brought to New Orleans as slaves, many other immigrated as free persons of color or were released from slavery while in New Orleans. In 1860 New Orleans held 13,000 slaves and 10,000 free persons of color. Immediately before Katrina there were 550,000 African Americans living in the metropolitan area.