History of New Orleans in Timeline
New Orleans is the most populous city in Louisiana and the second-most populous in the Deep South. Situated along the Mississippi River, it serves as a major port and a vital economic and commercial center for the Gulf Coast region. The 2020 U.S. census recorded its population at 383,997.
July 1900: Robert Charles Riots
In July 1900, white mobs rioted after Robert Charles, a young African American, killed a policeman. The mob killed him and an estimated 20 other blacks.
1900: Residential Segregation Increase
New Orleans experienced an increase in residential segregation beginning in 1900.
1902: French Language usage in 1902
As late as 1902, "one-fourth of the population of the city spoke French in ordinary daily intercourse, while another two-fourths was able to understand the language perfectly."
1909: Grand Isle Hurricane
In 1909, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by the Grand Isle Hurricane.
1915: New Orleans Hurricane
In 1915, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by the New Orleans Hurricane.
December 27, 1923: Closure of L'Abeille de la Nouvelle-Orléans
On December 27, 1923, the last major French language newspaper, L'Abeille de la Nouvelle-Orléans (New Orleans Bee), ceased publication after 96 years.
1929: New Orleans streetcar strike
In 1929 the New Orleans streetcar strike occurred. It is also credited for the creation of the distinctly Louisianan Po' boy sandwich.
1938: United Cab Establishment
United Cab was established in 1938 and has operated 365 days a year, with the exception of the month after Hurricane Katrina.
1945: French Language usage in 1945
As late as 1945, many elderly Creole women spoke no English.
1946: DeLesseps Morrison Administration
Economic development successes occurred under the administrations of DeLesseps "Chep" Morrison from 1946–1961.
1947: Fort Lauderdale Hurricane
In 1947, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by the 1947 Fort Lauderdale Hurricane.
1948: Streetcar Line Becomes Bus Line
In 1948, the streetcar line to Desire Street became a bus line.
1954: Home Rule Charter Adopted
New Orleans follows a home rule charter adopted in 1954.
1954: Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) affected the city.
1955: Reported end of Le Courrier de la Nouvelle Orleans in 1955
According to some sources, Le Courrier de la Nouvelle Orleans continued until 1955.
1956: 1956 Sugar Bowl
Controversy surrounded the 1956 Sugar Bowl at Tulane Stadium due to the presence of African-American fullback Bobby Grier on the Pitt Panthers' roster.
1956: Hurricane Flossy
In 1956, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricane Flossy.
1960: Population Decrease Begins
Beginning in 1960, the population of New Orleans decreased due to factors such as oil production cycles, tourism, and suburbanization.
1960: Miami Eclipsing New Orleans
In 1960, Miami eclipsed New Orleans, even as the latter's population reached its historic peak.
1960: School Desegregation
In 1960, New Orleans attempted school desegregation, leading to confrontations. Ruby Bridges integrated William Frantz Elementary School.
1960: Historic Population Peak
Prior to 1960, the population of New Orleans steadily increased to a historic 627,525.
1961: Victor Schiro Administration
Economic development successes occurred under the administrations of Victor "Vic" Schiro from 1961–1970.
1963: New Year's Eve Snowstorm
The New Year's Eve 1963 snowstorm affected New Orleans, bringing 4.5 inches (11 cm) of snow.
1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, renewing constitutional rights in New Orleans.
1965: Flood Control Act
After the Flood Control Act of 1965, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed floodwalls and man-made levees around a larger geographic area of New Orleans.
1965: Hurricane Betsy
In 1965, flooding from Hurricane Betsy killed dozens of residents, although the majority of the city remained dry.
1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed, renewing constitutional rights including voting for blacks in New Orleans.
1970: Population decline in 1970
The 1970 census recorded the first absolute decline in population since the city became part of the United States in 1803.
1972: One Shell Square Completion
In 1972, One Shell Square became the tallest building in New Orleans.
1979: Homicide Record Broken
The first record was broken in 1979 when the city reached 242 homicides.
1980: Election of African American officials in 1980
From 1980, the African American majority elected primarily officials from its own community.
1980: Residential Segregation Increase
New Orleans experienced an increase in residential segregation until 1980.
1984: Alliance Française of New Orleans Established
The French-speaking community has had a cultural center, the Alliance Française of New Orleans, since 1984.
1986: Sidney Barthelemy Administration
During the administrations of Sidney Barthelemy (1986–1994) New Orleans became increasingly dependent on tourism.
December 1989: Snowfall During Cold Wave
In December 1989, a cold wave brought 1-2 inches of snow to New Orleans.
December 22, 1989: Snowfall During Cold Wave
On December 22, 1989, during the December 1989 United States cold wave, most of New Orleans received 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of snow.
December 23, 1989: Record Low Temperature
On December 23, 1989, a record low temperature of 11 °F (-12 °C) was recorded at New Orleans International Airport.
1989: Douglas Wilder elected in Virginia in 1989
In 1989, Douglas Wilder was elected in Virginia, becoming the next African American to serve as governor of a U.S. state.
1989: Homicide Record Broken
The record was broken again reaching 250 by 1989.
1990: Demographic Shift
Since 1990, New Orleans has grown into a predominantly Black and African American city by race and ethnicity.
1990: Super Bowl XXIV Hosted
The Superdome hosted Super Bowl XXIV in 1990.
1991: Homicide Record Broken
The record was broken again reaching 345 by the end of 1991.
1993: Murders in the City
By 1993, New Orleans had 395 murders: 80.5 for every 100,000 residents.
1994: Marc Morial Administration
During the administrations of Marc Morial (1994–2002) New Orleans became increasingly dependent on tourism.
1994: "Murder Capital of America"
In 1994, New Orleans was officially named the "Murder Capital of America", hitting a historic peak of 424 murders.
May 8, 1995: Rain-induced flood of May 8, 1995
The rain-induced flood of May 8, 1995, demonstrated the weakness of the pumping system in New Orleans.
1996: Unpaid Judgments
More than $36 million in over 500 unpaid judgments issued against the city are simply ignored, some going as far back as 1996.
1997: Super Bowl XXXI Hosted
The Superdome hosted Super Bowl XXXI in 1997.
1998: Hurricane Georges
In 1998, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricane Georges.
1999: Low Murder Rate
In 1999, the city's murder rate dropped down to a low of 158.
2000: Homicide Rate Per Capita
Between 2000 and 2004, New Orleans had the highest homicide rate per capita of any city in the U.S., with 59 people killed per year per 100,000 citizens.
2000: The Real World: New Orleans
In 2000, The Real World: New Orleans was set in the city.
2000: Pre-Katrina Population
In 2000, the population of New Orleans was used as a benchmark for population recovery after Hurricane Katrina.
2000: Population Before Katrina
The 2020 census revealed the city now has a more diverse population than it did before Katrina, yet 21% fewer people than it had in 2000.
2002: Marc Morial Administration End
During the administrations of Marc Morial (1994–2002) New Orleans became increasingly dependent on tourism.
2002: Tax Incentives for Film Production
In 2002, Louisiana began offering tax incentives for film and television production, leading to New Orleans being nicknamed "Hollywood South".
2002: Super Bowl XXXVI Hosted
The Superdome hosted Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002.
2003: Winter Season
The 2003-04 winter season passed with no freezing temperatures at all.
2004: New Orleans Tourism
10.1 million visitors came to New Orleans in 2004.
2004: Homicide Rate Per Capita
Between 2000 and 2004, New Orleans had the highest homicide rate per capita of any city in the U.S., with 59 people killed per year per 100,000 citizens.
2004: Christmas Eve Snowstorm
In 2004, a small amount of snow fell during the Christmas Eve Snowstorm in New Orleans.
2004: Pre-Katrina School Metric
In 2004, before Hurricane Katrina, the overall school district performance metric was 56.9.
2004: Hospitality Industry Employment
In 2004, the hospitality industry employed 85,000 people, making it the city's top economic sector as measured by employment.
July 1, 2005: Pre-Katrina Population Estimate
As of July 1, 2005, the last population estimate before Hurricane Katrina was 454,865.
July 2005: Pre-Katrina Household Count
In July 2005, there were about 198,000 households in New Orleans receiving mail.
August 2005: Hurricane Katrina's Impact on New Orleans
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina severely affected New Orleans, flooding over 80% of the city, causing more than 1,800 deaths, displacing thousands of residents, and leading to a significant population decline.
August 2005: Sunset Limited Route Discontinued
Up until August 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck, the Sunset Limited's route continued east to Orlando.
August 29, 2005: Hurricane Katrina and Levee Failure
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused the federal levee system in New Orleans to fail, resulting in the flooding of 80% of the city and a major civil engineering disaster.
September 2005: Hurricane Rita impacts repopulation efforts
In September 2005, the approach of Hurricane Rita caused repopulation efforts in New Orleans to be postponed, and the Lower Ninth Ward was reflooded by Rita's storm surge.
2005: Economic impact of the slave trade
In 2005 dollars, the ancillary economy of the slave trade during the antebellum period is estimated at tens of billions of dollars, adjusted for inflation, with New Orleans as a prime beneficiary.
2005: Hurricane Katrina Devastates Transit Service
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated transit service in New Orleans.
2005: High Poverty Rate
In 2005, New Orleans had a poverty rate of 24.5%, almost twice the national average.
2005: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
In 2005, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, with Katrina causing disastrous flooding for the majority of the city.
July 2006: Population Increase Since Hurricane Katrina
As of July 2006, the population of New Orleans had increased since Hurricane Katrina.
July 2006: Population Estimate
In July 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated New Orleans' population to be 223,000.
November 7, 2006: Constitutional Amendment Passed
A constitutional amendment passed on November 7, 2006, consolidated the seven assessors into one.
2006: Study on Undocumented Immigrants
A 2006 study estimated that 10,000 to 14,000 undocumented immigrants resided in New Orleans.
2006: Office of Inspector General Established
An ordinance in 2006 established an Office of Inspector General to review city government activities.
2006: Coastal Restoration Amendment
In 2006, Louisiana voters adopted an amendment to dedicate all revenues from off-shore drilling to restore Louisiana's eroding coast line.
2006: Study on Subsidence
In 2006, a study published in Geology by a Tulane University professor discussed subsidence in the New Orleans area.
2006: Return of Major Events
In 2006, large conventions and college bowl games returned to New Orleans.
2006: New Orleans ranked most dangerous city
In 2006, with nearly half the population gone and widespread disruption and dislocation because of deaths and refugee relocations from Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans was ranked as the most dangerous city in the country.
2006: Louisiana Film & Television studio complex began
In 2006, work began on the Louisiana Film & Television studio complex, based in the Tremé neighborhood.
January 2007: Rally Demanding Action on Crime
In January 2007, several thousand New Orleans residents marched to City Hall for a rally demanding that police and city leaders tackle the crime problem.
March 2007: Population Increase
As of March 2007, a study estimated that an additional 32,000 residents had moved to the city, bringing the population to 255,000, approximately 56% of the pre-Katrina level.
May 2007: Hotel Room Decline Post-Katrina
In May 2007, the number of hotels and motels in the Greater New Orleans Area had declined to some 140 with over 31,000 rooms after Katrina.
June 2007: Increase in Hispanic Population
In June 2007, one study stated that the Hispanic and Latino American population had risen from 15,000, pre-Katrina, to over 50,000.
June 2007: Population Estimate Based on Mail Delivery Records
In June 2007, the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center estimated, based on mail delivery records, that the city had regained approximately two-thirds of its pre-Katrina population.
July 2007: Population Estimate Based on Utility Usage
An estimate based on utility usage from July 2007 placed the population at approximately 274,000, about 60% of the pre-Katrina population.
August 2007: Post-Katrina Population Analysis
In August 2007, a population analysis estimated the population of New Orleans to be 273,000, 60% of the pre-Katrina population and an increase of about 50,000 since July 2006.
September 2007: Household Count
In September 2007, a report by The Greater New Orleans Community Data Center found that just over 137,000 households received mail, representing about 70% of the pre-Katrina population.
2007: Sports Teams Return
During the 2007-2008 season, the New Orleans Hornets (now named the Pelicans) returned to the city.
2007: New Festival Created
In 2007, a new annual festival called "The Running of the Bulls New Orleans" was created.
2007: Study on Elevation
In 2007, a study by Tulane and Xavier University suggested that "51%... of the contiguous urbanized portions of Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes lie at or above sea level."
2007: Tax Incentives for Music and Theater Productions
Louisiana began to offer similar tax incentives for music and theater productions in 2007, and some commentators began to refer to New Orleans as "Broadway South".
January 2008: Brazilian Population Estimate
In January 2008, the New Orleans Brazilian population had a mid-range estimate of 3,000 people after expanding post-Katrina.
October 2008: First World Cultural Economic Forum
The first World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF) took place in October 2008 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.
2008: Hurricane Gustav
In 2008, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricane Gustav.
2008: Revised Population Estimate
In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau revised its population estimate for New Orleans upward, to 336,644.
2008: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimate
In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for New Orleans was revised upward to 336,644 inhabitants.
June 24, 2009: Audubon Park Temperature
On June 24, 2009, Audubon Park recorded a temperature of 104 °F (40 °C).
October 2009: Assessment Demonstrates Academic Growth
An October 2009 assessment demonstrated continued growth in the academic performance of public schools in New Orleans. The overall school district performance score was 70.6.
2009: Travel + Leisure Poll
A 2009 Travel + Leisure poll of "America's Favorite Cities" ranked New Orleans first in ten categories.
2009: Decrease in violent crime
By 2009, there was a 17% decrease in violent crime, a decrease seen in other cities across the country. But the homicide rate remained among the highest in the United States, at between 55 and 64 per 100,000 residents.
2009: The Real World: Back to New Orleans
In 2009, The Real World: Back to New Orleans was set in the city.
2009: Tulane University Bike Traffic
In 2009, Tulane University converted McAlister Place into a pedestrian mall open to bicycle traffic.
2009: New Orleans Saints Super Bowl XLIV Champions
New Orleans' professional sports teams include the 2009 Super Bowl XLIV champion New Orleans Saints (NFL).
2010: Primary Languages Spoken
As of 2010, 90.3% of residents age five and older spoke English at home as a primary language in New Orleans.
2010: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Ranking
As of 2010, New Orleans ranked eighth among U.S. cities in its rate of bicycle and pedestrian transportation.
2010: Criminal and Civil Sheriff's Offices Merged
Before 2010, New Orleans had separate criminal and civil sheriff's offices, corresponding to the separate criminal and civil courts: these were merged in 2010.
2010: Homicide rate dropped
In 2010, New Orleans' homicide rate dropped to 49.1 per 100,000.
2010: The Real World: Back to New Orleans
In 2010, The Real World: Back to New Orleans was set in the city.
2010: Consolidation of Tax Assessors
In 2010, a constitutional amendment consolidated the seven assessors into one.
2010: Revised Population Estimate
In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau revised upward its 2008 population estimate for New Orleans, to 336,644 inhabitants.
2010: Racial and Ethnic Makeup
In 2010, the racial and ethnic makeup of New Orleans was 60.2% Black and African American, 33.0% White, and other races.
2011: Growth of Hispanic Population
As of 2011, the Hispanic and Latino American population had also grown in the Greater New Orleans area alongside Black and African American residents.
2011: Bad Girls Club: New Orleans
In 2011, Bad Girls Club: New Orleans was set in the city.
2011: Arrested Offenders Demographics
In 2011, arrested offenders in New Orleans are almost exclusively black males from impoverished communities: 97% were black and 95% were male; 91% of victims were black as well.
2011: Murder Rate Increase
In 2011, the murder rate in New Orleans climbed 14% to 57.88 per 100,000, ranking it No. 21 in the world.
September 2012: The Advocate Begins New Orleans Edition
In September 2012, Baton Rouge newspaper, The Advocate, began a New Orleans edition after the Times-Picayune cut its print schedule.
2012: Hurricane Isaac
In 2012, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricane Isaac.
2012: Homicide rate increase
New Orleans' homicide rate increased again in 2012, to 53.2, the highest rate among cities of 250,000 population or larger.
2012: Winter Season
The 2012-13 winter season passed with no freezing temperatures at all.
June 2013: Times-Picayune Resumes Daily Printing
In June 2013, the Times-Picayune resumed daily printing with a condensed newsstand tabloid edition.
2013: Bus Service Restoration
As of the end of 2013, bus service had only been restored to 35% of pre-Katrina levels.
2013: Homicide Average
From 1994 to 2013, New Orleans was the country's "Murder Capital", annually averaging over 200 murders.
2013: Commuting by Walking and Biking
In 2013, 5% of working people from New Orleans commuted by walking and 2.8% commuted by cycling.
2013: Super Bowl XLVII Hosted
The Superdome hosted Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.
2014: All Public School Students Attend Charter Schools
At the start of the 2014 school year, all public school students in the New Orleans Public Schools (NOPS) system attended independent public charter schools, making it the nation's first to do so.
2014: Census Estimates
From the 2010 U.S. census to 2014 census estimates, the city grew by 12%, adding an average of more than 10,000 new residents each year.
July 2015: Population Reaches 80% of 2000 Level
By July 2015, the population of New Orleans was back up to 386,617, which is 80% of what it was in 2000.
2015: Households Without a Car
In 2015, 18.8% of New Orleans households were without a car.
2015: LGBT Population Survey
In 2015, a Gallup survey determined New Orleans was one of the largest cities in the American South with a significant LGBT population.
2015: Winter Season
The 2015-16 winter season passed with no freezing temperatures at all.
2015: Lafitte Greenway Opens
The Lafitte Greenway bicycle and pedestrian trail opened in 2015.
January 2016: Sucré Partners with United Cab
In January 2016, New Orleans-based sweet shop Sucré partnered with United Cab to deliver its king cakes locally on-demand.
February 28, 2016: New Policy on Immigration Enforcement
The New Orleans Police Department began a new policy to "no longer cooperate with federal immigration enforcement" beginning on February 28, 2016.
May 2016: NASA Study on Subsidence
In May 2016, NASA published a study suggesting that most areas of New Orleans were experiencing subsidence at a "highly variable rate".
2016: Study on Hydrologic Engineering
A study published by the ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering in 2016 provided information on elevation.
2016: 176 Murders Reported
According to annual crime statistics released by the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), 176 murders were reported in 2016.
2016: Transportation Statistics
According to the 2016 American Community Survey, 67.4% of working city of New Orleans residents commuted by driving alone.
2016: Households Without a Car
In 2016, 20.2% of New Orleans households were without a car, while the national average was 8.7 percent.
2016: Jobs Accessible by Transit
In 2016, there were 83,722 jobs accessible by a thirty-minute walk or transit ride.
2016: Roman Catholic Archdiocese Statistics
Since 2016, within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, 40% percent of the population was Roman Catholic.
2017: Ferry Service Routes
As of 2017, New Orleans has had continuous ferry service since 1827, operating three routes.
2017: Orleans Parish Population in 2017
As of 2017, Orleans Parish was the third most populous parish in Louisiana.
2017: Major League Rugby Inaugural Season
In 2017, Major League Rugby had its inaugural season, and NOLA Gold were one of the first teams in the league.
2017: Streetcar Line Extension and Bus Route Changes
In 2017, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority began operation on the extension of the Rampart–St. Claude streetcar line, and re-routed the 15 Freret and 28 Martin Luther King bus routes to Canal Street.
2017: Transit Service Restoration
Through the end of 2017, only 51% of transit service had been restored to pre-Katrina levels, counting both streetcar and bus trips.
January 17, 2018: Last Occurrence of 20 °F
January 17, 2018, was the last time the temperature reached 20 °F (-7 °C).
2018: Armstrong Airport Statistics
As of 2018, more than 13 million passengers passed through Armstrong International Airport, on nonstop flights from more than 57 destinations.
2018: LaToya Cantrell Assumed Mayor's Office
LaToya Cantrell assumed the mayor's office in 2018 as the first female mayor of the city.
2018: Louisiana Joins Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
Since Louisiana became the first U.S. state to join the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie in 2018, New Orleans has reemerged as an important center for the state's francophone and creolophone cultures and languages.
2019: Muslim Population Percentage
As of 2019, Muslims constituted 0.6% of the religious population according to Sperling's BestPlaces.
2019: Papers Merge
In 2019, The Times-Picayune and The New Orleans Advocate merged to form The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate.
2020: United States Census
According to the 2020 United States census, New Orleans had 383,997 people, 151,753 households, and 69,370 families.
2020: Protestant Christian Demographic Statistics
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives in 2020, the majority of Protestant Christians were Baptist, with the Southern Baptist Convention being the city proper's largest non-Catholic body.
2020: Murder Increase
In 2020, murders increased 68% from 2019, reaching a total of 202 murders.
2020: Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area Population in 2020
In 2020, the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area had a population of 1,271,845, making it the 46th most populous MSA in the United States.
2020: Population of New Orleans in 2020
In 2020, the U.S. census recorded the population of New Orleans as 383,997, making it the most populous city in Louisiana and a major economic hub.
2020: Racial and Ethnic Makeup
In 2020, the racial and ethnic makeup of New Orleans was 53.61% Black or African American, 31.61% non-Hispanic white, and other races.
2020: Muslim Population Estimate
The Association of Religion Data Archives in 2020 estimated that there were 6,150 Muslims in the city proper.
August 29, 2021: Hurricane Ida Landfall
On August 29, 2021, the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ida, a category 4 hurricane, made landfall near Port Fourchon and caused damage.
2021: Hurricane Ida
In 2021, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricane Ida.
2021: New Orleans City Election
Susan Hutson defeated 17-year incumbent Marlin Gusman in the 2021 New Orleans City Election.
2022: High homicide rate in New Orleans
In 2022, New Orleans experienced 280 murders, resulting in the highest per capita homicide rate in the United States.
2022: Homicide Rate Skyrockets
In 2022, New Orleans' homicide rate skyrocketed, leading every major city and resulting in the city again being declared the "Murder Capital of America". The city homicide count increased to 280, a 26-year high.
2022: Professional Soccer Attempt
In 2022, a consortium started an attempt to bring professional soccer to New Orleans, hoping to place teams in the male USL Championship and women's USL Super League.
August 27, 2023: Record High Temperature
On August 27, 2023, a record high temperature of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded at New Orleans International Airport.
August 28, 2023: Audubon Park Temperature
On August 28, 2023, Audubon Park recorded a temperature of 104 °F (40 °C).
2024: Current Civil Sheriff
As of 2024 the sheriff is Susan Hutson, who defeated 17-year incumbent Marlin Gusman in the 2021 New Orleans City Election.
January 1, 2025: Truck Attack
On January 1, 2025, a truck attack occurred in New Orleans, resulting in 15 deaths and 35 injuries. It was carried out as an act of domestic terrorism by Shamsud-Din Jabbar.
January 21, 2025: Significant Snowfall
On January 21, 2025, New Orleans received 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) of snow.
2025: Potential Soccer Teams
A consortium hopes to place professional soccer teams in the male USL Championship and women's USL Super League by 2025.
2025: Super Bowl LIX Hosted
The Superdome is scheduled to host Super Bowl LIX in 2025.
