Demographics
In 2000, the population of the state of Louisiana was 4,468,976
persons (Table 1). The largest proportion of the population were 25–44
years of age (28.9% overall), and nearly 50% of the population were in
the combined age groups 13–24 and 25–44 years. The age distribution
among males and females was similar; however, a slightly higher
proportion of women, compared with men, were elderly (65 years and
older).
The collection of race and ethnicity information was expanded in the
2000 census to allow persons the opportunity to report belonging to more
than 1 race, as well as to report Hispanic ethnicity. Despite this
expansion, more than 60% of men and women in Louisiana reported
themselves as non-Hispanic whites (Table 2). Non-Hispanic blacks
constituted 32.6% of the population, Hispanics constituted 2.4%, and
Asians and American Indians totaled 1.3% and 0.5%, respectively.
Louisiana is divided into 9 public health regions for the purpose of
public health planning. The regions comprise 4 to 12 parishes
surrounding one of the major urban centers in the state: New Orleans
(Region I), Baton Rouge (Region II), Houma (Region III), Lafayette
(Region IV), Lake Charles (Region V), Alexandria (Region VI), Shreveport
(Region VII), Monroe (Region VIII), and Hammond/Slidell (Region IX).
Region I has the largest population in the state, and Region V has the
smallest. The proportion of persons reporting themselves as non-Hispanic
white ranges from a low of 49% in Region I to a high of 81% in Region IX
(Table 3).
Regions I and II have the highest proportions of non-Hispanic blacks
(43% and 39%, respectively). In Region I, 5% of persons consider
themselves Hispanic and 3% consider themselves Asian; therefore, this
area has the highest concentration of both Hispanic and Asian persons in
the state. Region III is home to the highest concentration of persons
reporting themselves as American Indian.
According to the 2000 census, the distribution of race/ethnicity
differed in Louisiana parishes with populations of more than 250,000
(Table 4). In Orleans Parish, the most populous parish, 67.3% of the
population indicated their race/ethnicity as non-Hispanic black,
compared with 40.1% in East Baton Rouge and only 22.9% in Jefferson.
Jefferson Parish reported the highest proportion of Hispanics and
non-Hispanic whites. Less than 1% of the population in each of these
parishes reported themselves as American Indian. The proportions of
persons in the 3 parishes that identified themselves as Asian ranged
from 2% to 3%; approximately 1% in each of the areas reported that they
were non-Hispanic and belonged to 2 or more races.
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