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1,000,000 little green people
1,000,000 little green people
Who were the one and a quarter million people living in the New Orleans metropolitan area before the storm? Who are the one million who live here now?

The 2000 census listed 485,000 residents in Orleans Parish and 750,000 more living in the neighboring parishes that make up the metropolitan area. Orleans was shrinking at the rate of 500 people per month. By 2005 the population was estimated to be 455,000. Many of the departures were the middle class leaving the city for the suburbs. The Northshore was the fastest growing suburb. The metro area was growing.

Orleans was 67% black, the surrounding area 70% white.  That makes a total of  550,000 (44%) African Americans and 685,000 (56%) European Americans. As you can imagine, with these demographics, race was and is the major sociological issue. Crime, poverty, and education are also major issues and are strongly correlated to race. Economic development has been adversely affected by failure to effectively address the primary issue.

The population of Orleans has been shrinking since 1980 when it peaked at 660,000. Collapse of the oil economy, high crime rates, high taxes, poor schools and political corruption have been cited as the reasons for the decline. They certainly fueled white flight to the suburbs. Poverty, a multi-generation entitlement system, destruction of the family, the lure of the drug underground and a failed criminal justice system have all made their contribution to misery in the inner city.

The 2010 census listed the official population of Orleans as 343,829 of which 60% were black and 5.2% Hispanic of any race.  Jefferson reported 432.552 in this case 60% white and 12% Hispanic. St Tamany reached 233,740. St. Bernard was down to 35,897. Plaquemines reported only 23,042.  St Charles reached 52,780  while just up river St John the Baptist parish had 45,924. Grand total between 1.1 and 1.2 million or only slightly fewer than in 2000 after a tumultuous decade. Demographically identical except for the uptick in the Hispanic population from 3% to nearly 10%.

The parishes in Louisiana are each governed independently as dictated by the State Constitution. Education and the court systems in each parish are controlled by independent elected officials. Within the parishes, the most heavily populated areas are incorporated. They provide services and collect revenue according to their own charters. New Orleans elects a mayor and city council. It has its own police, water works, road construction, building codes, zoning, permits, and public transit. Other incorporated areas employ other forms of government. Although Jefferson Parish contains several incorporated cities like Kenner, Westwego and Gretna, it also has a Parish President and Council. Orleans is unique in that the parish and the chartered municipality, New Orleans, are coterminous.

There is no metropolitan area government. The Louisiana Constitution does not anticipate the possibility of a municipal government spanning several parishes. Regional cooperation over the years has been non-existent for a number of factors. Race is not the least of these factors.

  • Civic Activism : After the storm civic activism reached an all time high. Whether it was enough to make a real difference is the question.
    :: Continue reading...
  • Corruption : From its earliest days, New Orleans has had a reputation for shady :: Continue reading...
  • Crime : Orleans murder rate is (was) out of control. But it is not random violence. Superimposed on top of the 5-10 murders per 100,000 population you see across America are the drug crimes. They are overwhelmingly black on black killings fueled by the ruinous illegal, underground drug trade. If you come to New Orleans to visit you will be safe, but you will be entering a city on edge. :: Continue reading...
  • Education : Primary education in the public schools is a problem for New Orleans. :: Continue reading...
  • Elderly : Before the storm, Orleans age profile showed the city was 1% younger than the rest of the nation. 11.7% of Orleans was over 65 vs 12.4% nationwide. 1.5% are lucky enough to still be in Orleans past age 85. :: Continue reading...
  • Leadership : The storm gave our leaders a chance to step up and show their mettle. The storm also put our bureaucracy under stress :: Continue reading...
  • Pets : Pets have played an important role in New Orleans since its founding. Pets were a major reason people stayed behind during Katrina. :: Continue reading...
  • Population : Its odd that there should be a debate about the population of Orleans Parish. :: Continue reading...
  • Race : Race is the single most divisive issue facing the city and is at the heart of most of its problems. :: Continue reading...
  • Religion : Founded in French/Spanish Catholicism reinforced by the Irish, Italians, Greeks and more, steeped in the Baptist church, flavored with Judaism, Voodoo and a wide variety of Christian Protestant denominations from the American Methodists and Episcopalians to the German Evangelicals, New Orleans is defined by its churches. Neighborhoods, traditions, festivals and lifestyles all find their roots in religious practices of the various faiths. :: Continue reading...
  • Vive la difference : :: Continue reading...


  • Neighborhoods Recreation


    Created : 11/1/2005 12:48:20 PM Updated: 5/17/2011 7:21:55 AM

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