America's Dying Cities
From 2000 to 2010 the U.S. population increased by the smallest rate than at any time since the Great Depression, rising 9.7 percent to approximately 308 million people, according to new census data. It’s yet another sign of the tough times that many Americans faced during the second half of the 2000s due to an ailing economy, but it only begins to paint a picture of the country’s money woes.
New Orleans suffered a steeper population decline than any other city in the country thanks to Hurricane Katrina, which displaced much of the population and made it difficult – if not impossible – for some to return. However, the majority of those who were displaced have since begun to return to the city, as have a number of new residents and businesses. So while the city’s population may be down from what it was in 2000, it is clearly on the rise going into the new decade.
Total Population (2009): 354,850
Proportion Under 18 (2009): 21.6%
Change in Total Population (2000-2009): -26.8%
Change in Residents Under 18 (2000-2009): -5.1 percentage points
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