Near 300,000, New Orleans Hits 65% of Its Former Size

Surge in population one barometer for health of Big Easy

By Katherine Thompson

Posted Dec 25, 2007 6:21 AM CST

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Near 300,000, New Orleans Hits 65% of Its Former Size — Homeless people try to dry clothing in front of a state office building in Duncan Plaza across the street from New Orleans City Hall, Friday, Dec. 21, 2007. The homeless have been living in the park which is now being closed due to demolition of nearby buildings. The building which has been closed... (Associated Press)

New Orleans is now at 65% of its pre-hurricane population and looks poised to pass the 300,000 mark at any day now. Although many neighborhoods are still in need of rebuilding and dotted with vacant lots, the growth represents a "significant indication of New Orleans' sustained viability as a major city," urban planners conclude. The new numbers bring the Big Easy to the size of a Pittsburgh or a Tampa.

The city's population isn't expected to reach its former high of 455,000 but to level off at 325,000 to 350,000 in the next few years. "When you look at the housing stock on the market, it's not a matter of housing, but whether we can support those who are back, both economically and from a service standpoint," said the author of the study. (More New Orleans stories.)

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