News Summary

Recent Census data indicates that Louisiana’s population continues to decline, with significant losses primarily attributed to domestic migration. Although the state’s overall population is projected to see a slight rise from 4.59 million in 2023 to 4.6 million in 2024 due to international immigration, domestic outflows remain a concern. Notably, regions such as Caddo Parish have experienced the most significant losses, while some southeastern areas like Livingston Parish have reported modest growth. Economic implications of this demographic trend highlight the urgent need for reforms to improve conditions in the state.

Louisiana’s Population Decline Persists Despite Slight Statewide Increase, Latest Census Data Reveals

Louisiana is continuing to experience a decline in its population, losing residents consistently for nearly a decade, primarily to neighboring Texas. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau covering the period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, Louisiana ranked 44th in net domestic migration and faced significant challenges in population retention.

Even though the overall population of Louisiana is projected to rise slightly from 4.59 million in 2023 to approximately 4.6 million in 2024, this increase is largely attributed to international immigration rather than domestic migration. Over the last few years, the state has suffered a net loss of over 84,000 residents since its peak population of 4.65 million in 2020. The annual population reduction reached its highest recorded loss of 0.8% between 2021 and 2022, which equated to a loss of 26,000 residents during that timeframe alone.

Regional Disparities in Population Trends

The trends show significant variations across different areas of the state. Central and northeastern regions, including Caddo Parish, faced the most significant losses, shedding more than 11,000 residents over three years. In Caddo Parish alone, approximately 1,570 individuals left last year, highlighting the area’s ongoing struggles. Other parishes like Plaquemines also reported a notable decline, with a population loss of 2.39% and an additional $16 million drop in adjusted gross income.

In contrast, some southeastern parishes such as East Baton Rouge, Ascension, and Livingston bucked the overall decline trend, with slight increases in their populations. Livingston Parish, for example, reported a growth of about 2,320 people, accounting for a 1.5% increase. Similarly, Ascension Parish saw a growth of 1.2%, while Lafayette experienced the largest increase with approximately 3,760 new residents, reflecting a 1.5% growth rate.

Economic and Migration Patterns

The troubling trend in Louisiana’s population loss has contributed to broader economic implications. Between 2021 and 2022, the state’s population decline resulted in a staggering loss of $880 million in adjusted gross income. Many experts attribute the state’s challenges to uncompetitive tax structures and problematic economic conditions. Although some recent tax reforms have been enacted, analysts warn that broader changes are necessary to enhance education and diversify the local economy effectively.

Migration patterns indicate a national trend toward lower-tax and lower-cost states. In 2024, states like South Carolina, Idaho, Delaware, North Carolina, and Tennessee attracted movers, while higher-tax states including Hawaii, New York, and California saw significant outflows. This reflects a growing preference for states that offer more favorable economic conditions, further deepening Louisiana’s migration issues.

Specific City Trends and Adjustments

New Orleans, once a vibrant hub, reported a loss of approximately 2,470 residents last year, contributing to a staggering decline of nearly 20,700 individuals since 2020. The city’s Orleans Parish faced one of the fastest shrinkages in the nation, declining by 0.68%. The net migration loss for the area indicates a need for significant changes to attract and retain its populace.

Overall, the state retained a slight population increase primarily through adjustments in how the Census Bureau counts immigrants. The increase of about 10,000 people in 2023 primarily came from international immigrants, spotlighting the ongoing need for clarity in local counts. Even slight gains in parishes like East Baton Rouge and Jefferson were attributed to these changes in immigration calculations.

In summary, while Louisiana experiences a slight increase in population projected for 2024, the significant decline in residents over the past decade—especially in specific regions—poses challenges that must be addressed through strategic economic reforms and supportive policies to revitalize the state’s standing as an attractive destination.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• CoStar: Louisiana Sees Population Increase
• The Center Square: Louisiana’s Population Insights
• NOLA: Census Data on Population Loss
• Shreveport Times: Louisiana’s Population Decrease
• Wikipedia: Demographics of Louisiana