New Orleans is the most populous city in Louisiana, with a population of 383,997 as of 2020. It's a major port and economic hub for the Gulf Coast region, situated along the Mississippi River in southeastern Louisiana. The city is the second-most populous in the Deep South and twelfth-most populous in the Southeastern United States. New Orleans is also considered the cultural center of the French Louisiana region.
July 1900: Robert Charles Riot
In July 1900, a race riot erupted in New Orleans following the killing of a policeman by Robert Charles, a young African American man, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 20 black individuals and seven white individuals.
1902: French Speakers in New Orleans
In 1902, approximately half of New Orleans' population spoke or understood French.
December 27, 1923: End of L'Abeille de la Nouvelle-Orléans
On December 27, 1923, L'Abeille de la Nouvelle-Orléans (New Orleans Bee), the last major French language newspaper, ceased publication after 96 years.
1929: New Orleans Streetcar Strike
The New Orleans streetcar strike of 1929 led to significant unrest and is credited with the creation of the Po' boy sandwich.
1945: Elderly Creole Women and French
As late as 1945, many elderly Creole women in New Orleans primarily spoke French.
1946: Start of DeLesseps "Chep" Morrison's Administration
DeLesseps "Chep" Morrison's administration as mayor of New Orleans began in 1946.
1948: Streetcar to Bus Conversion
The Desire Street streetcar line in New Orleans, made famous by Tennessee Williams' play, was converted to a bus line in 1948.
1954: New Orleans Adopts Home Rule Charter
New Orleans adopted a home rule charter in 1954, shaping the city's mayor-council government structure.
1955: Le Courrier de la Nouvelle Orleans
According to some sources, Le Courrier de la Nouvelle Orleans, another French language newspaper, continued publishing until 1955.
1960: Miami surpasses New Orleans in Population
In 1960, Miami's population exceeded that of New Orleans, despite the latter reaching its historical peak population.
1960: Desegregation of Public Schools
Public schools in New Orleans were racially desegregated in 1960.
1961: End of DeLesseps "Chep" Morrison's Administration and start of Victor "Vic" Schiro's
DeLesseps "Chep" Morrison's administration ended in 1961, and Victor "Vic" Schiro became mayor.
1970: First Population Decline since 1803
The 1970 census marked the first time New Orleans experienced a population decline since becoming part of the United States in 1803.
1978: Super Bowl XII Held in New Orleans
The Superdome in New Orleans hosted Super Bowl XII in 1978, the first of its seven times hosting the event.
1979: New Orleans Reaches 242 Homicides
In 1979, New Orleans reached a record high of 242 homicides.
May 31, 1980: States-Item Ceases Publication
On May 31, 1980, the afternoon newspaper States-Item in New Orleans ceased publication.
1981: Super Bowl XV Held in New Orleans
The Superdome in New Orleans hosted Super Bowl XV in 1981.
1986: Super Bowl XX Held in New Orleans
The Superdome in New Orleans hosted Super Bowl XX in 1986.
1989: Douglas Wilder Elected Governor
In 1989, Douglas Wilder was elected governor of Virginia, becoming the second African American governor of a U.S. state after P.B.S. Pinchback in Louisiana.
1989: New Orleans Homicides Reach 250
The number of homicides in New Orleans reached 250 in 1989.
1990: Shift in Racial Demographics
Starting in 1990, New Orleans began experiencing a shift towards becoming a predominantly Black and African American city.
1990: Super Bowl XXIV Held in New Orleans
The Superdome hosted Super Bowl XXIV in 1990.
1991: New Orleans Homicides Reach 345
By the end of 1991, the number of homicides in New Orleans increased to 345.
1993: New Orleans Homicides Reach 395
In 1993, New Orleans reported 395 murders, a rate of 80.5 per 100,000 residents.
1994: New Orleans Designated as "Murder Capital of America"
New Orleans was labeled the "Murder Capital of America" in 1994, experiencing a peak of 424 murders.
1996: New Orleans Refuses to Pay Court-Ordered Judgements
As of 1996, New Orleans has a history of refusing to pay court-ordered judgements, accumulating over $36 million in unpaid judgements.
1997: Super Bowl XXXI Held in New Orleans
The Superdome hosted Super Bowl XXXI in 1997.
1999: Decline in New Orleans Murder Rate
The murder rate in New Orleans decreased to 158 in 1999.
2000: New Orleans' High Homicide Rate from 2000-2004
Between 2000 and 2004, New Orleans had the highest homicide rate per capita in the U.S., at 59 per 100,000 citizens annually.
2000: Pre-Decline Population
In 2000, New Orleans had a population that was 21% larger than in 2020.
2000: The Real World: New Orleans
In 2000, the television show "The Real World: New Orleans" aired, showcasing the city.
2002: Louisiana Offers Tax Incentives for Film Production
In 2002, Louisiana began offering tax incentives for film and television production, leading to increased activity in New Orleans and earning it the nickname "Hollywood South".
2002: Super Bowl XXXVI Held in New Orleans
The Superdome hosted Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002.
2004: New Orleans Tourism Before Katrina
In 2004, New Orleans received 10.1 million visitors, establishing its position as a top tourist destination in the United States.
2004: Pre-Katrina School Performance
In 2004, before Hurricane Katrina, the overall school district performance score in New Orleans was 56.9.
2004: Tourism and Hospitality Industry
In 2004, the hospitality industry in New Orleans was the city's largest employer, with 85,000 people, and generated significant tax revenue.
2004: New Orleans' High Homicide Rate from 2000-2004
The years 2000-2004 marked a period when New Orleans had the highest per capita homicide rate in the U.S.
July 1, 2005: Pre-Katrina Population Estimate
On July 1, 2005, the last population estimate before Hurricane Katrina was recorded at 454,865.
August 2005: Hurricane Katrina
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, flooding over 80% of the city, causing over 1,800 deaths, and displacing thousands, leading to a population decline exceeding 50%.
2005: Economic Impact of Slave Trade
In 2005, studies estimated the economic impact of the antebellum slave trade, including the ancillary economy, reached tens of billions of dollars (adjusted for inflation), significantly benefiting New Orleans.
2005: Hurricane Katrina Devastates Transit
Hurricane Katrina in 2005 severely damaged New Orleans' transit system.
July 2006: Population Estimate
In July 2006, the estimated population of New Orleans was around 223,000.
November 7, 2006: Consolidation of Tax Assessors in New Orleans Approved
A constitutional amendment passed on November 7, 2006, consolidated New Orleans' seven elected tax assessors into a single office, effective in 2010.
2006: Study on Undocumented Immigrants
A 2006 study estimated 10,000-14,000 undocumented immigrants resided in New Orleans, many from Mexico.
2006: New Orleans Establishes Office of Inspector General
An ordinance in 2006 established the Office of Inspector General in New Orleans to oversee city government activities.
2006: Record Homicides Post-Katrina
In 2006, after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans experienced a record number of homicides and was ranked the most dangerous city in the US.
2006: Construction Begins on Louisiana Film & Television Studio Complex
Work commenced on the Louisiana Film & Television studio complex in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans in 2006.
January 2007: Crime Rally
In January 2007, thousands of New Orleans residents marched to City Hall to demand action on the city's crime problem.
May 2007: Decline in New Orleans Hotel Rooms After Katrina
In May 2007, the number of hotels and motels in the Greater New Orleans Area had decreased to about 140 with over 31,000 rooms, down from 265 hotels and 38,338 rooms before Hurricane Katrina.
June 2007: Hispanic and Latino Population Increase
A June 2007 study stated the Hispanic and Latino population in New Orleans had increased to over 50,000 from 15,000 pre-Katrina.
August 2007: Post-Katrina Population Analysis
A population analysis released in August 2007 estimated New Orleans' population to be 273,000, 60% of the pre-Katrina figure and about 50,000 more than in July 2006. A separate report based on postal service figures indicated just over 137,000 households received mail, about 70% of the pre-Katrina number.
September 2007: Post-Katrina Household Mail Report
In September 2007, a report indicated that just over 137,000 households received mail in New Orleans during August 2007. This represented approximately 70% of the pre-Katrina number of households.
2007: Louisiana Offers Tax Incentives for Music and Theater Productions
Louisiana expanded tax incentives to music and theater productions in 2007, with some referring to New Orleans as "Broadway South".
January 2008: Growth of the Brazilian Community
By January 2008, the Brazilian population in New Orleans had grown to an estimated 3,000 people. They had established churches, shops, and restaurants throughout the metropolitan area, though many were undocumented. Many Brazilians moved to New Orleans after Katrina, taking skilled trade jobs.
October 2008: First World Cultural Economic Forum
The inaugural World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF) was held in October 2008 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.
2008: Initial 2008 Population Estimate
The U.S. Census Bureau made an initial population estimate for New Orleans in 2008, which was later revised upwards in 2010.
October 2009: Improved School Performance
An assessment in October 2009 showed a 24% improvement in New Orleans public schools' performance since 2004, reaching a score of 70.6, closer to the suburban Jefferson Parish score of 78.4, though still below the state average.
2009: New Orleans Ranked America's Favorite City
A 2009 Travel + Leisure poll named New Orleans "America's Favorite City", ranking it first in several categories, including spring break destination, wild weekends, stylish hotels, cocktail hours, singles/bar scenes, live music, antique shops, cafés, neighborhood restaurants, and people-watching.
2009: Decrease in Violent Crime
By 2009, New Orleans saw a 17% drop in violent crime, a trend also observed in other cities nationwide. However, the homicide rate remained very high.
2009: New Orleans Saints Win Super Bowl XLIV
The New Orleans Saints won Super Bowl XLIV in 2009.
2009: The Real World Returns
The television show "The Real World" returned to New Orleans for another season in 2009.
2010: New Orleans Consolidates Tax Assessor Offices
The seven tax assessor offices in New Orleans were merged into one in 2010.
2010: The Real World: New Orleans (Cont.)
The Real World: Back to New Orleans continued airing into 2010.
2010: Merger of Criminal and Civil Sheriff's Offices in New Orleans
New Orleans merged its criminal and civil sheriff's offices in 2010 as per Louisiana Revised Statute 33:1500.
2010: Racial and Ethnic Makeup
In 2010, the racial and ethnic composition of New Orleans was 60.2% Black/African American, 33.0% White, 2.9% Asian, and 1.7% two or more races. Hispanics/Latinos made up 5.3% of the population.
2010: Revised Population Estimate
In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau revised its 2008 population estimate for New Orleans upwards to 336,644. Estimates from this time also suggested that neighborhoods spared from flooding had populations at or exceeding pre-Katrina levels.
2010: Fluctuating Homicide Rates
In 2010, New Orleans' homicide rate decreased to 49.1 per 100,000, but rose again in 2012 to 53.2, the highest among large cities.
2010: Language Demographics
As of 2010, 90.3% of New Orleans residents aged five and older primarily spoke English at home. Other languages spoken included Spanish (4.8%), Vietnamese (1.9%), and French (1.1%). A total of 9.7% of the population in this age group spoke a language other than English at home.
2011: Growth of Hispanic and Latino Population in Greater New Orleans
As of 2011, the Hispanic/Latino population in the Greater New Orleans area continued to grow, especially in areas like Kenner, Metairie, Terrytown, Eastern New Orleans, and Mid-City. It was estimated that up to 120,000 Hispanic/Latino workers lived in the city.
2011: Bad Girls Club: New Orleans
In 2011, "Bad Girls Club: New Orleans" aired, contributing to the growth of the city's television industry.
2011: Demographics of Arrested Offenders in New Orleans
In 2011, arrested offenders in New Orleans were predominantly black males from impoverished communities, with 97% being black and 95% male.
2011: Rising Murder Rate
The murder rate in New Orleans climbed 14% in 2011, reaching 57.88 per 100,000 and ranking 21st highest globally.
September 2012: The Advocate Launches New Orleans Edition
The Advocate, a Baton Rouge newspaper, launched a New Orleans edition in September 2012, briefly making it the city's only daily after the Times-Picayune cut its print schedule.
2012: High Homicide Rate
In 2012, New Orleans had the highest homicide rate (53.2 per 100,000) among cities with populations of 250,000 or more.
June 2013: Times-Picayune Resumes Daily Printing
The Times-Picayune resumed daily printing in June 2013 with a condensed tabloid edition, TP Street, published on the three days the broadsheet wasn't printed.
2013: Slow Transit Recovery
By the end of 2013, New Orleans' bus service had only recovered to 35% of its pre-Katrina capacity, while streetcar service saw faster restoration.
2013: New Orleans' High Murder Rate from 1994 to 2013
From 1994 to 2013, New Orleans maintained one of the highest murder rates in the U.S., averaging over 200 murders annually.
2013: Super Bowl XLVII Held in New Orleans
The Superdome hosted Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.
2014: All-Charter School System
In 2014, New Orleans became the first major US city where all public school students attended charter schools, following the state's takeover of many underperforming schools after Hurricane Katrina.
2015: Significant LGBT Population
In 2015, a Gallup survey identified New Orleans as a major city in the American South with a significant LGBT population, largely concentrated in the Central Business District, Mid-City, and Uptown.
February 28, 2016: New Orleans Police Department Immigration Policy Change
Starting February 28, 2016, the New Orleans Police Department implemented a policy change to cease cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
2016: Job Accessibility by Transit
In 2016, 83,722 jobs were accessible within a 30-minute walk or transit ride in New Orleans.
2016: High Murder Rate
In 2016, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) reported 176 murders in the city.
2016: Strong Catholic Presence
As of 2016, around 40% of the population within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans identified as Catholic. The city's Catholic heritage is reflected in various cultural aspects, from parochial schools and street names to architecture and festivals like Mardi Gras.
2017: Ferry Services in New Orleans
As of 2017, New Orleans operated three ferry routes: the Canal Street Ferry connecting downtown with Algiers Point, the Canal Street/Gretna Ferry for pedestrians and cyclists, and a third connecting Chalmette and Lower Algiers.
2017: Orleans Parish Population
As of 2017, Orleans Parish became the third most populous parish in Louisiana.
2017: Improved Job Accessibility
Changes to transit service in New Orleans in 2017, including a streetcar line extension and bus route changes, increased the number of jobs reachable by a 30-minute walk or transit ride to 89,216, improving regional job access.
2017: NOLA Gold Joins Major League Rugby
NOLA Gold became one of the inaugural teams in Major League Rugby in 2017, playing at the Gold Mine on Airline in Metairie.
2017: Partial Transit Restoration
Through the end of 2017, New Orleans had restored only 51% of its pre-Katrina transit service levels, considering both streetcar and bus trips.
2018: LaToya Cantrell Becomes First Female Mayor of New Orleans
LaToya Cantrell took office as the first female mayor of New Orleans in 2018.
2018: Louisiana Joins Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
Louisiana became the first U.S. state to join the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie in 2018, marking a resurgence of francophone and creolophone cultures and languages in New Orleans.
2019: Increase in Murders
Murders in New Orleans increased by 68% from 2019 to 2020.
2019: Muslim Population
In 2019, Muslims represented 0.6% of New Orleans' religious population.
2019: Newspaper Merger
In 2019, The Times-Picayune and The New Orleans Advocate merged, forming The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate.
2020: Prominent Protestant Denominations
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives, the largest Protestant denominations in New Orleans in 2020 included the Southern Baptist Convention, the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, nondenominational churches, the National Baptist Convention, and the United Methodist Church, among others.
2020: Racial and Ethnic Makeup Changes and Population Decline
By 2020, the racial and ethnic demographics of New Orleans had shifted to 53.61% Black/African American, 31.61% non-Hispanic White, and 8.08% Hispanic/Latino of any race. The city also experienced a 21% population decline since 2000.
2020: COVID-19 Impact on Crime
In 2020, New Orleans saw a 68% increase in murders compared to 2019, with a total of 202 murders, partly attributed to COVID-19 and changes in policing.
2020: Estimate of Muslim Population
In 2020, the Association of Religion Data Archives estimated there were 6,150 Muslims in New Orleans, primarily Middle Eastern immigrants and African Americans.
2020: Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area Population
In 2020, the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area's population reached 1,271,845, making it the 46th most populous MSA in the United States.
2020: 2020 U.S. Census
The 2020 U.S. census recorded New Orleans' population at 383,997, making it the most populous city in Louisiana.
2021: Susan Hutson Elected Sheriff of New Orleans
Susan Hutson defeated incumbent Marlin Gusman in the 2021 New Orleans City Election, becoming the new sheriff.
2022: Effort Begins to Bring Professional Soccer to New Orleans
A consortium launched an initiative in 2022 to bring professional soccer teams to New Orleans, aiming for placement in the USL Championship and USL Super League by 2025.
2022: High Homicide Rate
In 2022, New Orleans experienced 280 murders, resulting in the highest per capita homicide rate in the United States.
2022: Murder Capital
New Orleans' homicide rate dramatically increased in 2022 to a 26-year high of 280 murders, earning the city the unwanted title of "Murder Capital of America". The NOPD was severely understaffed with less than 1,000 officers.