May 19, 2016
The U. S. Census Bureau Population Estimates data for American cities shows Shreveport falling below its 1990 population total. Between July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2015, Shreveport lost another -1,114 residents, dropping its total population to 197,204. The third-largest city in Louisiana, Shreveport's population total in the 1990 decennial Census was +1,321 residents larger, at 198,525. (SEE data here.)
In this most recent year of official Estimates data from the Census Bureau, Louisiana's recession deepened in some areas, but had not yet done so in others. Lake Charles led in percentage population gain, up +1.76%, followed by New Orleans (+1.37), Bossier City (+1.35%), Lafayette (+0.96%), and Monroe (+0.11%). Population losses in that most recent annual count hit Baton Rouge (-0.18%), Alexandria (-0.54%) and Shreveport (-0.56%).
Since the 2010 decennial Census, Baton Rouge (-0.39%) and Shreveport (-1.06%) lost population. New Orleans, continuing to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, grew its population the most among top Louisiana cities, up +13.32%. Also showing gains were Bossier City (+11.06%), Lafayette (+5.83%), Lake Charles (+5.66%), Monroe (+1.60%), and Alexandria (+0.35%).
Louisiana's population increased by +3.0% between the 2010 Census and July 1, 2015, below the national gain of +4.1%. That gain of +137,425 Louisianans was the result of +107,922 from "natural increase," or births-minus-deaths, and +28,906 from net migration*. While Louisiana, during the period, lost -10,567 residents who moved away to other states, it gained +39,473 international in-migrants. That population subgroup is disproportionately traceable to undocumented workers, it is broadly accepted. Later U. S. Census Bureau results from its American Community Survey data will be studied for confirmation / refutation of that assertion.
July 1, 2015 Total Population
New Orleans 389,617
Baton Rouge 228,590
Shreveport 197,204
Lafayette 127,657
Lake Charles 76,070
Bossier City 68,094
Monroe 49,598
Alexandria 47,889
July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2015 Population Change
Lake Charles + 1,318 +1.76%
New Orleans + 5,257 +1.37%
Bossier City + 905 +1.35%
Lafayette + 1,212 +0.96%
Monroe + 53 +0.11%
Baton Rouge - 417 -0.18%
Alexandria - 258 -0.54%
Shreveport - 1,114 -0.56%
2010 Census to July 1, 2015 Population Change
New Orleans +45,788 +13.32%
Bossier City + 6,799 +11.06%
Lafayette + 7,034 + 5.83%
Lake Charles + 4,077 + 5.66%
Monroe + 783 + 1.60%
Alexandria + 166 + 0.35%
Baton Rouge - 903 - 0.39%
Shreveport - 2,107 - 1.06%
*Total population change as reported by the U. S. Census Bureau includes a residual that cannot be attributed to any specific demographic component.
Elliott Stonecipher
(Elliott Stonecipher does this work pro bono ... no compensation of any kind is solicited or accepted. He has no client or other relationships which in any way influence his selections of subjects or the content of any article. Appropriate credit to Mr. Stonecipher in the sharing - unedited only, of course - is expected. The use of his work without such credit to him is unethical and will not be quietly accepted.)
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