New Orleans' population is shrinking again, and the reasons why are often varied. Census data show New Orleans losing residents from 2020 to 2021. Could the increase in crime be a reason?
Demographer Greg Rigamer says typically the reason people move from one community to another is about money.
"That's primarily a function of economic opportunity and economic realities," he explained.
But Rigamer says there are many other factors that come in to play for people with the ability to move: crime, dependable infrastructure and city services, and quality of government also influence decisions on where people choose to live.
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"There are many factors and life in the city of New Orleans right now is very difficult," he said. "We have situations with crime, construction of neighborhood streets, with garbage collection, we have the city council and mayor fighting, things like that. These are not signs of a healthy city."
Rigamer says many things combine to influence people's decisions to stay in, move away from, or move to any given area.
"When you talk about all of these little things that add up, and the issue that we have with public safety, and the issue that we have with infrastructure," Rigamer said, "all of these things that come together, that move people."