View source for New Orleans

{{Redirect-several|The Big Easy|Nola|City of New Orleans|New Orleans}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = New Orleans
| settlement_type    = [[Consolidated city–county|Consolidated city-parish]]
| nicknames           = "The Crescent City", "The Big Easy", "The City That Care Forgot", "NOLA"<!--(acronym for New Orleans, Louisiana)-->, "The City of Yes", "Hollywood South", "The Creole City"
| native_name        = {{small|{{native name|fr|La Nouvelle-Orléans}}<br>{{native name|lou|Nouvèl Orleans}}}}
| founder            = [[Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
  |total_width   = 290
  |perrow        = 1/2/2/2
  |border        = infobox
  |caption_align = center
  |image1        = New Orleans from the Air September 2019 - Central Business District Skyline (cropped).jpg
  |caption1      = [[New Orleans Central Business District|Central Business District]]
  |image2        = ChrisLitherlandBourbonSt.jpg
  |caption2      = [[Bourbon Street]]
  |image3        = Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis King of France.jpg
  |caption3      = [[St. Louis Cathedral (New Orleans)|St. Louis Cathedral]]
  |image4        = DHS Agencies Support Super Bowl LIX Security February 2025 - 108.jpg
  |caption4      = [[Caesars Superdome]]
  |image5        = Dinwiddie Hall, Tulane University New Orleans 2010.jpg
  |caption5      = [[Tulane University]]
  |image6        = Canal St New Orleans. (53085508341).jpg
  |caption6      = [[Streetcars in New Orleans|New Orleans streetcar]]
  |image7        = Crescent City Connection (closeup).JPG
  |caption7      = [[Crescent City Connection]]
 }}
| imagesize          = 290px
| image_flag         = Flag of New Orleans, Louisiana.svg
| flag_size          = 110px
| image_seal         = City seal of New Orleans.svg
| seal_size          = 90px
| image_blank_emblem = New Orleans Logo.png{{!}}class=skin-invert
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| blank_emblem_size  = 100px
| mapframe           = yes
| mapframe-zoom      = 9
| mapframe-point     = none
| pushpin_map        = Louisiana#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Louisiana##Location within the United States
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of parishes in Louisiana|Parish]]
| subdivision_name   = [[United States]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Louisiana]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Orleans Parish, Louisiana|Orleans]] (coterminous)
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = {{start date and age|1718}}
| named_for          = [[Philippe II, Duke of Orléans]] (1674–1723)
| leader_title       = [[List of mayors of New Orleans|Mayor]]
| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| leader_name        = [[LaToya Cantrell]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| leader_title1      = [[City council|Council]]
| leader_name1       = [[New Orleans City Council]]
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_total_sq_mi   = 349.85
| area_land_sq_mi    = 169.42
| area_water_sq_mi   = 180.43
| area_metro_km2     = 9,726.6
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 3,755.2
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name=2020Census>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/neworleanscitylouisiana/PST045219 |title=U.S. Population Totals 2010–2020 |website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 12, 2021 |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829175200/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/neworleanscitylouisiana/PST045219 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_total   = 383997
| population_est     = 362701
| pop_est_as_of      = 2024
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="Estimate2024">{{cite web |title=Census Quick Facts New Orleas |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/orleansparishlouisiana/PST045224 |website=census.gov |access-date=March 15, 2025}}</ref>
| population_metro   = 1007275 (US: [[List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas|59th]])
| population_density_sq_mi = 2267
| population_urban   = 963212 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|49th]])
| population_density_urban_km2 = 1,376.0
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 3,563.8
| population_urban_footnotes = <ref name="urban area">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html |title=List of 2020 Census Urban Areas |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=January 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114022812/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_demonym = New Orleanian
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Total Gross Domestic Product for New Orleans-Metairie, LA (MSA) |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP35380 |website=Federal Reserve Economic Data |access-date=January 4, 2024 |archive-date=January 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104080644/https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP35380 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL22071|title=Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Orleans Parish, LA|date=December 18, 2023|website=fred.stlouisfed.org}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = [[Consolidated city–county|Consolidated city-parish]]
| demographics2_info1 = $29.482 billion (2023)
| demographics2_title2 = Metro
| demographics2_info2 = $102.437 billion (2023)
| timezone           = [[Central Time Zone (Americas)|CST]]
| utc_offset         = −6
| timezone_DST       = [[Central Time Zone (Americas)|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = −5
| coordinates        = {{Wikidatacoord|Q34404|region:US-LA|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m        = −2 to 6
| elevation_ft       = −6.5 to 20
| postal_code_type   = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| postal_code        = 
| area_code_type     = 
| area_code          = [[area code 504|504]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 22-55000
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:1629985 1629985]
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2016">{{cite web |title=2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2016_Gazetteer/2016_gaz_place_22.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 2, 2017 |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425004637/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2016_Gazetteer/2016_gaz_place_22.txt |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 906.10
| area_land_km2      = 438.80
| area_water_km2     = 467.30
| website            = {{URL|https://nola.gov}}
}}

'''New Orleans'''{{efn|{{Bulleted list|English: {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɔːr|l|(|i|)|ə|n|z}} {{Respell|OR|l(ee)ənz}}, {{IPAc-en|ɔːr|ˈ|l|iː|n|z}} {{Respell|or|LEENZ}},<ref name=mw>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/New%20Orleans New Orleans] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306202419/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/New%20Orleans |date=March 6, 2018 }}. [[Merriam-Webster]].</ref> {{IPAc-en|local|ˈ|ɔːr|l|ə|n|z}} {{Respell|OR|lənz}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Romer |first1=Megan |title=How to Say 'New Orleans' Correctly |url=http://goneworleans.about.com/od/NewOrleansBasics/fl/How-To-Say-New-Orleans-Correctly.htm |website=About Travel |publisher=about.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016090433/http://goneworleans.about.com/od/NewOrleansBasics/fl/How-To-Say-New-Orleans-Correctly.htm |access-date=January 31, 2015 |archive-date=October 16, 2015}}</ref>|{{Langx|fr|La Nouvelle-Orléans}}, {{IPA|fr|la nuvɛlɔʁleɑ̃|pron|La Nouvelle-Orleans.ogg}}|{{langx|lou|Nouvèl Orleans}}|{{langx|es|Nueva Orleans}}}}}} (commonly known as '''NOLA''' or  '''The Big Easy''' among other nicknames) is a [[Consolidated city-county|consolidated city-parish]] located along the [[Mississippi River]] in the U.S. state of [[Louisiana]]. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 census, New Orleans is the [[List of municipalities in Louisiana|most populous city in Louisiana]], the second-most populous in the [[Deep South]] after [[Atlanta]], and the twelfth-most populous in the [[Southeastern United States]];<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2021 |title=QuickFacts: New Orleans city, Louisiana |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/neworleanscitylouisiana/PST045219 |access-date=August 12, 2021 |website=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829175200/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/neworleanscitylouisiana/PST045219 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="henrylouismencken">{{cite book |title=The American Language: An Inquiry Into the Development of English in the United States |author=Henry Louis Mencken |publisher=A. A. Knopf |year=1924 |pages=412}}</ref> the [[New Orleans metropolitan area]], with about 1 million residents, is the [[List of metropolitan statistical areas|59th-most populous metropolitan area]] in the United States.<ref name=PopEstCBSA>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html#v2024 |title=Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2024 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division |date=March 13, 2025 |access-date=March 13, 2025 }}</ref> New Orleans serves as a major port and commercial hub for the broader [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast region]]. The city is coextensive with [[Orleans Parish, Louisiana|Orleans Parish]].<ref name="coextensive">{{cite web |url=http://www.mylouisianagenealogy.com/la_county/or.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050515221311/http://www.mylouisianagenealogy.com/la_county/or.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 15, 2005 |title=Orleans Parish History and Information |access-date=March 18, 2008}}</ref>

New Orleans is renowned for [[Music of New Orleans|its distinctive music]], [[Louisiana Creole cuisine|Creole cuisine]], [[New Orleans English|unique dialects]], and its annual celebrations and festivals, most notably [[Mardi Gras in New Orleans|Mardi Gras]]. The historic heart of the city is the [[French Quarter]], known for its [[French architecture#America|French and Spanish Creole architecture]] and vibrant [[nightlife]] along [[Bourbon Street]]. The city has been described as the "most interesting" in the United States,<ref name="gmc">[http://www.gmc.edu/library/neworleans/NOhistory.htm Institute of New Orleans History and Culture] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207021718/http://www.gmc.edu/library/neworleans/NOhistory.htm |date=December 7, 2006 }} at Gwynedd-Mercy College</ref><ref name="hurrbayou">{{Cite web |title=Hurricane on the Bayou – A MacGillivray Freeman Film |url=http://hurricaneonthebayou.com/html/behind.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115171204/http://hurricaneonthebayou.com/html/behind.htm |archive-date=January 15, 2016 |website=Hurricane on the Bayou}}</ref><ref name="forusa">{{usurped|1=[https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20060404184305/https://www.forusa.org/fellowship/nov-dec_05/billings.html David Billings, "New Orleans: A Choice Between Destruction and Reparations"]}}, The Fellowship of Reconciliation, November/December 2005</ref><ref name="msn">[https://www.today.com/popculture/spike-lee-offers-his-take-hurricane-katrina-wbna13865422 Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press, "Spike Lee offers his take on Hurricane Katrina"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917162853/https://www.today.com/popculture/spike-lee-offers-his-take-hurricane-katrina-wbna13865422 |date=September 17, 2022 }}, MSNBC, July 14, 2006</ref> owing in large part to its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage.<ref name="multi">{{cite web |title=The Founding French Fathers |url=http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/multicultural/multiculturalhistory/index.html |access-date=April 26, 2008 |archive-date=April 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412205005/http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/multicultural/multiculturalhistory/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, New Orleans has increasingly been known as "Hollywood South" due to its prominent role in the film industry and in pop culture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hollywood South: Why New Orleans Is the New Movie-Making Capital |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/hollywood-south-orleans-movie-making-capital/story?id=27036988 |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=September 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917164409/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/hollywood-south-orleans-movie-making-capital/story?id=27036988 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hollywood South: Film Production and Movie Going in New Orleans |url=https://neworleanshistorical.org/tours/show/34 |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=New Orleans Historical |language=en |archive-date=September 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917161429/https://neworleanshistorical.org/tours/show/34 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Founded in 1718 by French colonists, New Orleans was once the territorial capital of [[Louisiana (New France)|French Louisiana]] before becoming part of the United States in the [[Louisiana Purchase]] of 1803. New Orleans in 1840 was the third most populous city in the United States,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027/tab07.txt |title=Population of the 100 Largest Urban Places: 1840 |year=1998 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 7, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214221319/https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027/tab07.txt |url-status=live }}</ref> and it was the largest city in the [[Southern United States|American South]] from the [[Antebellum South|Antebellum era]] until after [[World War II]]. The city has historically been very vulnerable to [[flood]]ing, due to its high rainfall, low-lying elevation, poor natural drainage, and proximity to multiple bodies of water. State and federal authorities have installed [[Drainage in New Orleans|a complex system of levees and drainage pumps]] in an effort to protect the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Orleans Levee District |url=http://orleanslevee.com/history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625161834/http://orleanslevee.com/history.htm |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |access-date=July 7, 2018 |website=Orleans Levee}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jervis |first=Rick |title=Fifteen years and $15 billion since Katrina, New Orleans is more prepared for a major hurricane – for now |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/08/24/new-orleans-hurricane-protection-system-marco-laura/5624092002/ |access-date=2021-07-16 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |archive-date=September 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917161332/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/08/24/new-orleans-hurricane-protection-system-marco-laura/5624092002/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

New Orleans was [[Effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans|severely affected]] by [[Hurricane Katrina]] in late August 2005, which flooded more than 80% of the city, killed more than 1,800 people, and displaced thousands of residents, causing a [[New Orleans diaspora|population decline]] of over 50%.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.kff.org/other/poll-finding/report-new-orleans-three-years-after-the/ |title=Report: New Orleans Three Years After the Storm: The Second Kaiser Post-Katrina Survey, 2008 |date=August 1, 2008 |work=The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation |access-date=July 7, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707201900/https://www.kff.org/other/poll-finding/report-new-orleans-three-years-after-the/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Since Katrina, major [[Urban renewal|redevelopment]] efforts have led to a rebound in the city's population. Concerns have been expressed about [[gentrification]] and consequent displacement.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnstanton/is-post-katrina-gentrification-saving-new-orleans-or-destroy |title=Is Post-Katrina Gentrification Saving New Orleans Or Ruining It? |work=BuzzFeed |access-date=July 7, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=September 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902131918/https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnstanton/is-post-katrina-gentrification-saving-new-orleans-or-destroy |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Elie |first=Lolis |date=2019-08-27 |title=Opinion {{!}} Gentrification Might Kill New Orleans Before Climate Change Does |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/27/opinion/new-orleans.html |access-date=2021-07-29 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927014701/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/27/opinion/new-orleans.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gentrification a Growing Threat for Many New Orleans Residents |url=https://lafairhousing.org/blog/gentrification-a-growing-threat-for-many-new-orleans-residents |access-date=2021-07-29 |website=Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914113738/https://lafairhousing.org/blog/gentrification-a-growing-threat-for-many-new-orleans-residents |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kinniburgh |first=Colin |date=2017-08-09 |title=How to Stop Gentrification |magazine=The New Republic |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/144260/stop-gentrification |access-date=2021-07-29 |issn=0028-6583 |archive-date=September 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917161415/https://newrepublic.com/article/144260/stop-gentrification |url-status=live }}</ref> Rates of violent crime in New Orleans remain higher than those in most other U.S. cities, but by mid-2025 a prolonged focus on addressing its root causes and reforming the local criminal justice system have reduced the incidence of violent crime to its lowest levels since the early 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simerman |first=John |date=2025-07-13 |title=Long a U.S. 'murder capital,' New Orleans is on pace for 50-year low in killings in 2025: NOPD data for the first half of 2025 suggest the city is on pace for its safest year statistically since the 1970's. |url=https://www.nola.com/news/crime_police/new-orleans-crime-murder-rate-2025-public-safety/article_7220cd15-8bd4-46bf-9f4d-e4dcc5baafb2.html |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=NOLA.com |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NOLA Coalition |first=The |date=2025-07-24 |title=NOLA Coalition Press Conference Provides Three-Year Update on Plan to Support Public Safety and Invest in Youth in New Orleans |url=https://nolacoalition.info/updates/nola-coalition-press-conference-provides-three-year-update-on-plan-to-support-public-safety-and-invest-in-youth-in-new-orleans/?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--lHCXpEFE8c884lARX2Ca7LHRrpFsfE2Rmi7nZfeAtI1_r70x0elUEmxi69dab5NUS1pQ7UPJJ9lq-TMJgdIiJvUp-6Oy1QZ8q7axIjwRpQ3WtgDM&_hsmi=373183968&utm_content=373183968&utm_source=hs_email |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=nolacoalition.info |language=en }}</ref>
{{toclimit|3}}

==Etymology and nicknames==
Before the arrival of European colonists, the indigenous [[Choctaw]] people called the area of present-day New Orleans {{lang|cho|Bulbancha}}, which translates as "land of many tongues".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Founding of New Orleans |url=https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/founding-new-orleans |date=2023-08-02 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=American Battlefield Trust}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What's in a Name? Bulbancha and Mobilian Jargon |url=https://www.frenchquarterjournal.com/archives/whats-in-a-name-bulbancha-and-mobilian-jargon |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=French Quarter Journal}}</ref> It appears to have been a contraction of {{lang|cho|balbáha a̱shah}}, which means "there are foreign speakers". In his book {{lang|fr|Histoire de la Louisiane}}, [[Antoine-Simon Le Page du Pratz]] wrote that the indigenous name referred to the [[Mississippi River]] and that the use of the same name for the settlement relates to Native American concepts of the close interaction between rivers and their surrounding land.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bulbancha |url=https://64parishes.org/entry/bulbancha |last=Darensbourg |first=Jeffery U. |date=2024-05-01 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=64 Parishes}}</ref>

The name of New Orleans derives from the original French name, {{lang|fr|La Nouvelle-Orléans}}, which was given to the city in honor of [[Philippe II, Duke of Orléans]], who served as [[Louis XV]]'s regent from 1715 to 1723.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=French History in New Orleans |url=https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/multicultural/cultures/french/ |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=www.neworleans.com |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031142840/https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/multicultural/cultures/french/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The French city of [[Orléans]] itself is named after the [[Roman emperor]] [[Aurelian]], originally being known as Aurelianum. Thus, by extension, since New Orleans is also named after Aurelian, its name in Latin would translate to Nova Aurelia.

Following the defeat in the [[Seven Years' War]], France formally transferred the possession of [[Louisiana (New France)|Louisiana]] to [[History of Spain (1700–1808)|Spain]], with which France had secretly signed the [[Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762)|Treaty of Fontainebleau]] a year earlier, in the [[Treaty of Paris (1763)|Treaty of Paris]] of 1763. The Spanish renamed the city {{lang|es|Nueva Orleans}} ({{IPA|es|ˌnweβa oɾleˈans|pron}}), which was used until 1800.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/history/history-of-new-orleans-by-period/ |title=History of New Orleans |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=www.neworleans.com |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819015712/https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/history/history-of-new-orleans-by-period/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The United States, which had [[Louisiana Purchase|acquired possession]] from [[French First Republic|France]] in 1803, adopted the French name and anglicized it to ''New Orleans''.

New Orleans has several nicknames, including these:
* ''Crescent City'', alluding to the course of the [[Lower Mississippi River]] around and through the city.<ref name="NOCVBnicknames">{{cite web |url=http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/555/sectionID/1/subsectionID/0 |title=New Orleans Nicknames |access-date=December 2, 2008 |publisher=New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107230703/http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/555/sectionID/1/subsectionID/0 |archive-date=January 7, 2009}}</ref>
* ''The Big Easy'', possibly a reference by musicians in the early 20th century to the relative ease of finding work there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Is New Orleans Called "The Big Easy?" |url=https://www.southernliving.com/travel/louisiana/new-orleans-nickname-the-big-easy |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=Southern Living |language=EN |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031191857/https://www.southernliving.com/travel/louisiana/new-orleans-nickname-the-big-easy |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=What do you call New Orleans? 11 of the good, bad and silly nicknames for an iconic city |url=https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/article_1fa055b2-b43c-5aa0-9a72-02551385cf3c.html |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=NOLA.com |date=October 3, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101202156/https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/article_1fa055b2-b43c-5aa0-9a72-02551385cf3c.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''The City that Care Forgot'', used since at least 1938,<ref>{{cite web |last=Ingersoll |first=Steve |title=New Orleans—"The City That Care Forgot" and Other Nicknames A Preliminary Investigation |url=http://nutrias.org/facts/careforgot.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040920044521/http://nutrias.org/facts/careforgot.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 20, 2004 |publisher=New Orleans Public Library |date=March 2004 |access-date=February 9, 2009}}</ref> referring to the outwardly easygoing, carefree nature of the residents.<ref name=":1" />
* ''NOLA'', the acronym for New Orleans, Louisiana.

==History==
{{main|History of New Orleans}}

{{For timeline}}

===French–Spanish colonial era===
{{main|Louisiana (New France)|New France|Treaty of Paris (1763)|Louisiana (New Spain)|New Spain}}
{{See also|Seven Years' War|French and Indian War|Gulf Coast campaign|Spain and the American Revolutionary War|Third Treaty of San Ildefonso|Treaty of Aranjuez (1801)}}
{{Quote box
| width = 19em
| align = left
| bgcolor = #B0C4DE
| title = Historical claims
| fontsize = 90%
| quote = {{flag|Kingdom of France}} 1718–1762<br /> {{flag|Spanish Empire}} 1762–1801<br /> {{flag|First French Empire}} 1801–1803<br /> {{flag|United States|1848}} 1803–present
}}

''La Nouvelle-Orléans'' (New Orleans) was founded in the spring of 1718 by the French [[Mississippi Company]] under [[Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville]], on land traditionally inhabited by the [[Chitimacha]] people.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/verify/verify-does-new-orleans-have-an-actual-birthday/289-499684457 |title=VERIFY: Does New Orleans have an actual birthday? |website=WWL |date=December 15, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630222522/https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/verify/verify-does-new-orleans-have-an-actual-birthday/289-499684457 |url-status=live }}</ref> The city was named for [[Philippe II, Duke of Orléans]], then-regent of the [[Kingdom of France]] whose title derived from the French city of [[Orléans]].<ref name=":0" /> As a colony, [[French Louisiana]] faced conflict with [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American tribes]] navigating rival European powers. In 1729, the [[Natchez revolt]] erupted with an attack on [[Fort Rosalie]], resulting in the deaths of over 200 French colonists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slave Resistance in Natchez, Mississippi (1719–1861) {{!}} Mississippi History Now |url=http://mshistorynow.mdah.state.ms.us/articles/58/slave-resistance-in-natchez-mississippi-1719-1861 |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=mshistorynow.mdah.state.ms.us |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026070753/http://mshistorynow.mdah.state.ms.us/articles/58/slave-resistance-in-natchez-mississippi-1719-1861 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Governor [[Étienne Perier (governor)|Étienne Perier]] launched a retaliatory campaign that effectively destroyed the [[Natchez people]], but it soured relations between France and the territory's Native Americans leading directly into the [[Chickasaw Wars]] of the 1730s.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gayarré |first=Charles |author-link=Charles Gayarré |title=History of Louisiana: The French Domination |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p3IFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA447 |volume=1 |year=1854 |publisher=Redfield |location=New York, New York |pages=447–450 |access-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110084803/https://books.google.com/books?id=p3IFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA447#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Gayarré|1854|page=450}}

Native resistance continued into the 1740s under governor [[Pierre de Rigaud, marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnial]], as tribes like the [[Chickasaw]] and [[Choctaw]] leveraged competing colonial interests.<ref>{{cite book |title=Louisiana: A History |edition=6th |editor1-last=Wall |editor1-first=Bennett H. |editor2-last=Rodrigue |editor2-first=John C. |last1=Cummins |first1=Light Townsend |author-link1=Light Townsend Cummins |last2=Kheher Schafer |first2=Judith |last3=Haas |first3=Edward F. |last4=Kurtz |first4=Micahel L. |year=2014 |publisher=Wiley Blackwell |location=Malden, Massachusetts |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aQPZAQAAQBAJ |page=59 |isbn=9781118619292 |access-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110084820/https://books.google.com/books?id=aQPZAQAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> Raids intensified as French economic instability weakened colonial defenses, with some Chickasaw attacks reaching as far south as [[Baton Rouge]]. Meanwhile, labor shortages led the French colonists to turn to the [[Atlantic slave trade]]. By the early 1720s, [[Slavery in the colonial United States|enslaved Africans]] were arriving in significant numbers, and in 1724, the [[Code Noir]] formalized harsh laws governing their lives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BlackPast |date=2007-07-28 |title=(1724) Louisiana's Code Noir |url=https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/louisianas-code-noir-1724/ |access-date=2020-10-28 |language=en-US |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027190710/https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/louisianas-code-noir-1724/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A distinct Afro-Creole culture began to develop, blending African traditions with Catholicism and French language, giving rise to practices like [[Louisiana Voodoo]] and the [[Louisiana Creole]] language.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From Benin to Bourbon Street: A Brief History of Louisiana Voodoo |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/r7g5ar/from-benin-to-bourbon-street-a-brief-history-of-louisiana-voodoo |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=www.vice.com |date=October 5, 2014 |language=en |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101201752/https://www.vice.com/en/article/r7g5ar/from-benin-to-bourbon-street-a-brief-history-of-louisiana-voodoo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The True History and Faith Behind Voodoo |url=https://www.frenchquarter.com/true-history-faith-behind-voodoo/ |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=FrenchQuarter.com |language=en-US |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101013201/https://www.frenchquarter.com/true-history-faith-behind-voodoo/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Archives nationales d’outre-mer - Louisiane - Adrien de Pauger - 1724 - 001.jpg|thumb|1724 plan for Saint Louis Parish Church, New Orleans, Louisiana, by [[Adrien de Pauger]]]]

New Orleans quickly emerged as a cultural and commercial hub in French Louisiana. Its position as a key port made it the gateway for goods moving between the interior of North America and the Atlantic world. Institutions like the [[History of the Ursulines in New Orleans|Ursuline sisters]], founded in 1727 by nuns sponsored by the [[Company of the Indies]], reflected the city's integration into French religious and educational networks.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=The Ursulines of Louisiana |last=Cruzat |first=Heloise Hulse |url=https://www2.latech.edu/~bmagee/louisiana_anthology/texts/cruzat/cruzat--ursulines.html |access-date=2020-10-28 |journal=The Louisiana Historical Quarterly |year=1919 |volume=2 |number=1 |archive-date=March 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316070359/https://www2.latech.edu/~bmagee/louisiana_anthology/texts/cruzat/cruzat--ursulines.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The convent educated girls and remains foundational to several modern schools in the city. Early city planning and architecture were shaped by military engineers like Pierre Le Blond de Tour and [[Adrien de Pauger]], whose designs laid out the enduring street grid and fortifications.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pauger's Savvy Move |url=https://richcampanella.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/article_Campanella_Preservation-in-Print_2014_May_Pauger-Savvy-Move.pdf |access-date=October 28, 2020 |website=richcampanella.com |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609051806/https://richcampanella.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/article_Campanella_Preservation-in-Print_2014_May_Pauger-Savvy-Move.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> By the 1740s, public works programs under engineer Ignace François Broutin transformed the city's architecture, blending colonial governance with a distinct Creole character.

After France ceded Louisiana to the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|Spanish Empire]] in the [[Treaty of Paris (1763)|1763 Treaty of Paris]], New Orleans residents resisted Spanish rule. Local residents staged the [[Louisiana Rebellion of 1768]], briefly seizing control of the city and sending a delegation to France to appeal for renewed French authority.{{sfn|Cummins|Kheher Schafer|Haas|Kurtz|2014|page=70}} Their efforts failed, and King [[Louis XV]] reaffirmed Spanish sovereignty.<ref name="Presas">{{cite book |author=[[José Presas y Marull]] |url=http://simurg.bibliotecas.csic.es/viewer/image/CSIC000227068/23/#topDocAnchor |title=Juicio imparcial sobre las principales causas de la revolución de la América Española y acerca de las poderosas razones que tiene la metrópoli para reconocer su absoluta independencia. (original document) |publisher=Imprenta de D. Pedro Beaume |year=1828 |location=Burdeaux |pages=22, 23 |trans-title=Fair judgment about the main causes of the revolution of Spanish America and about the powerful reasons that the metropolis has for recognizing its absolute independence |access-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032714/http://simurg.bibliotecas.csic.es/viewer/image/CSIC000227068/23/#topDocAnchor |url-status=live }}</ref> Nearly all of the surviving 18th-century [[architecture]] of the Vieux Carré ([[French Quarter]]) dates from the Spanish period, notably excepting the [[Old Ursuline Convent, New Orleans|Old Ursuline Convent]].<ref>{{cite web |title=National Park Service. Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings. Ursuline Convent |url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/explorers/sitec23.htm |access-date=September 10, 2010 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215122950/https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/explorers/sitec23.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> During the [[American Revolutionary War]], New Orleans played a key role as a supply hub for the American cause, particularly under Spanish governor [[Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Count of Gálvez]], who led a campaign against the British from the city in 1779.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Mitchell |first=Barbara |title=America's Spanish Savior: Bernardo de Gálvez marches to rescue the colonies |journal=MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History |pages=98–104 |date=Autumn 2010 |url=http://www.historynet.com/americas-spanish-savior-bernardo-de-galvez.htm |access-date=June 11, 2016 |archive-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605055349/http://www.historynet.com/americas-spanish-savior-bernardo-de-galvez.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> From the 1760s onward, [[Overseas Filipinos|Filipinos]] also began settling in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/ancestorsintheamericas/program1_1.html |title=Part 1. Coolies, Sailors and Settlers |first=Loni |last=Ding |year=2001 |work=NAATA |publisher=[[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] |access-date=May 19, 2011 |quote=Some of the Filipinos who left their ships in Mexico ultimately found their way to the bayous of Louisiana, where they settled in the 1760s. The film shows the remains of Filipino shrimping villages in Louisiana, where, eight to ten generations later, their descendants still reside, making them the oldest continuous settlement of Asians in America. |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516002553/http://www.pbs.org/ancestorsintheamericas/program1_1.html |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/ancestorsintheamericas/time_06.html |title=1763 Filipinos in Louisiana |first=Loni |last=Ding |year=2001 |work=NAATA |publisher=[[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] |access-date=May 19, 2011 |quote=These are the "Louisiana Manila men" with presence recorded as early as 1763. |archive-date=March 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321101112/http://www.pbs.org/ancestorsintheamericas/time_06.html |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |url=https://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/pilipino1.html |title=Mabuhay Pilipino! (Long Life!): Filipino Culture in Southeast Louisiana |last=Westbrook |first=Laura |date=2008 |website=Louisiana Folklife Program |publisher=Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism |access-date=May 13, 2018 |archive-date=May 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518005511/http://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/Pilipino1.html |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite magazine |last=Fabros |first=Alex S. Jr. |date=February 1995 |title=When Hilario Met Sally: The Fight Against Anti-Miscegenation Laws |url=http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/when-hilario-met-sally-the-fight-against-anti-miscegenation-laws |magazine=Filipinas Magazine |via=Positively Filipino |location=Burlingame, California |publisher=Positively Filipino LLC |access-date=August 25, 2018 |archive-date=August 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826005441/http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/when-hilario-met-sally-the-fight-against-anti-miscegenation-laws |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite book |first=Floro L. |last=Mercene |title=Manila Men in the New World: Filipino Migration to Mexico and the Americas from the Sixteenth Century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OSqhZphG_gQC&pg=PA106 |year=2007 |publisher=UP Press |isbn=978-971-542-529-2 |pages=106–08 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110084847/https://books.google.com/books?id=OSqhZphG_gQC&pg=PA106#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

===United States territorial era===
{{Main|Louisiana Purchase|Territory of Orleans|Dominican Creoles}}
[[File:Handover ceremony of Lousiana.jpg|thumb|Flag raising in the [[Jackson Square (New Orleans)|Place d'Armes]] (now Jackson Square), New Orleans, after the [[Louisiana Purchase]], marking the transfer of sovereignty over French Louisiana to the United States, December 20, 1803]]

The [[Third Treaty of San Ildefonso]] in 1800 restored [[French First Republic|French]] control of New Orleans and Louisiana, but [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]] sold both to the United States in the [[Louisiana Purchase]] in 1803.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Louisiana Purchase |url=https://www.monticello.org/thomas-jefferson/louisiana-lewis-clark/the-louisiana-purchase/ |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=Monticello |language=en |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321075505/https://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/louisiana-purchase |url-status=live }}</ref> Thereafter, the city grew rapidly with influxes of Americans, [[French people|French]], [[Louisiana Creole people|Creoles]] and [[Demographics of Africa|Africans]]. Later immigrants were [[Irish people|Irish]], [[Germans]], [[Polish people|Poles]] and [[Italians]]. Major [[commodity crops]] of [[sugar cane|sugar]] and [[cotton]] were cultivated with [[Slavery in the United States|slave]] labor on nearby large [[Plantations in the American South|plantations]].

Between 1791 and 1810, thousands of [[Saint Dominicans|St. Dominican]] [[refugee]]s from the [[Haitian Revolution]], both [[White people|whites]] and [[free people of color]] (''affranchis'' or ''gens de couleur libres''), arrived in New Orleans; a number brought their slaves with them, many of whom were native Africans or of full-blood descent.<ref name="Lachance1988">{{cite journal |title=The 1809 Immigration of Saint-Domingue Refugees to New Orleans: Reception, Integration and Impact |first=Paul F. |last=Lachance |journal=Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association |volume=29 |number=2 |year=1988 |page=110 |jstor=4232650}}</ref> While Governor [[William C.C. Claiborne|Claiborne]] and other officials wanted to keep out additional [[Free negro|free black]] people, the French Creoles wanted to increase the French-speaking population. In addition to bolstering the territory's French-speaking population, these refugees had a significant impact on the culture of Louisiana, including developing its sugar industry and cultural institutions.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Road to Louisiana: The Saint-Domingue Refugees 1792–1809 |editor1-last=Brasseaux |editor1-first=Carl A. |editor1-link=Carl A. Brasseaux |editor2-last=Conrad |editor2-first=Glenn R. |publisher=University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press |year=2016 |location=Lafayette, Louisiana |isbn=9781935754602 |url=https://ulpress.org/products/the-road-to-louisiana-the-saint-domigue-refugees-1792-1809 |access-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-date=August 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813222610/https://ulpress.org/products/the-road-to-louisiana-the-saint-domigue-refugees-1792-1809 |url-status=live }}</ref>

As more refugees were allowed into the [[Territory of Orleans]], [[Saint Dominicans|St. Dominican]] refugees who had first gone to [[Cuba]] also arrived.<ref name="AAM"/> Many of the white [[Geographical distribution of French speakers|Francophones]] had been deported by officials in Cuba in 1809 as retaliation for [[Bonapartist]] schemes.{{sfn|Gitlin |2009|p= 54}} Nearly 90 percent of these immigrants settled in New Orleans. The 1809 migration brought 2,731 whites, 3,102 free people of color (of [[mixed-race]] European and African descent), and 3,226 slaves of primarily African descent, doubling the city's population. The city became 63 percent black, a greater proportion than [[Charleston, South Carolina]]'s 53 percent at that time.<ref name="AAM">[http://www.inmotionaame.org/migrations/topic.cfm?migration=5&topic=3 "Haitian Immigration: 18th & 19th Centuries"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141448/http://www.inmotionaame.org/migrations/topic.cfm?migration=5&topic=3 |date=June 12, 2018 }}, ''In Motion: African American Migration Experience'', New York Public Library, accessed May 7, 2008</ref>

====Slave rebellion ====
On January 8–11, 1811, about 500 enslaved Africans in St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes rose up in the [[1811 German Coast uprising|German Coast rebellion]] against their enslavers, killing two white men in the process. They proceeded to march south toward New Orleans and were eventually controlled by the local militia, with numerous casualties on both sides.
The uprising has been called the "largest slave rebellion in US history."<ref>{{cite book |last=Rasmussen |first=Daniel |title= American Uprising: The Untold Story of America's Largest Slave Revolt |year=2012 |publisher=Harper Potential |isbn=9780061995224 |access-date= }}</ref>

===Battle of New Orleans and antebellum period===
{{main|Battle of New Orleans|War of 1812}}
[[File:Battle of New Orleans.jpg|thumb|The [[Battle of New Orleans]]]]
[[File:Plan of the city and suburbs of New Orleans.jpg|alt=Plan of the city and suburbs of New Orleans : from an actual survey made in 1815|thumb|Plan of the city and suburbs of New Orleans: from a survey made in 1815<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://coololdphotos.com/rare-1815-plan-of-the-city-and-suburbs-of-new-orleans/ |title=Rare 1815 Plan of the City and Suburbs of New Orleans |last=Tom |date=March 18, 2015 |website=Cool Old Photos |language=en-US |access-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223131536/https://coololdphotos.com/rare-1815-plan-of-the-city-and-suburbs-of-new-orleans/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

During the final campaign of the [[War of 1812]], the British sent a force of 11,000 in an attempt to capture New Orleans. Despite great challenges, General [[Andrew Jackson]], with support from the U.S. Navy, successfully cobbled together a force of [[United States Militia|militia]] from Louisiana and [[Mississippi Territory|Mississippi]], U.S. Army regulars, a large contingent of [[Tennessee]] state militia, [[Kentucky]] frontiersmen and local [[privateer]]s (the latter led by the pirate [[Jean Lafitte]]), to decisively defeat the British in the [[Battle of New Orleans]] on January 8, 1815.<ref name="Groom2007"/> The armies had not learned of the [[Treaty of Ghent]], which had been signed on December 24, 1814 (although not ratified by the U.S. government until February 16, 1815). The fighting in Louisiana began in December 1814 and did not end until late January, after the Americans held off the Royal Navy during a ten-day [[Siege of Fort St. Philip (1815)|siege of Fort St. Philip]].<ref name="Groom2007">{{cite book |last=Groom |first=Winston |title=Patriotic Fire: Andrew Jackson and Jean Laffite at the Battle of New Orleans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nE3S3TnCGk4C |year=2007 |publisher=Vintage Books |isbn=978-1-4000-9566-7 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110084854/https://books.google.com/books?id=nE3S3TnCGk4C |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Hippolyte Sebron - Bateaux A Vapeur Géants 1853.jpg|thumb|Mississippi River [[Steamboats of the Mississippi|steamboats]] at New Orleans, 1853]]

As a [[port]], New Orleans played a major role during the [[Antebellum South|antebellum]] period in the [[Atlantic slave trade]]. The port handled commodities for export from the interior and imported goods from other countries, which were warehoused and transferred in New Orleans to smaller vessels and distributed along the Mississippi River watershed. The river was filled with steamboats, flatboats and sailing ships. Despite its role in the [[History of slavery|slave trade]], New Orleans at the time also had the largest and most prosperous community of free persons of color in the nation, who were often educated, middle-class property owners.<ref name="pbsjazz">{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/jazz/places/places_new_orleans.htm |title=New Orleans: The Birthplace of Jazz |website=PBS – JAZZ A Film By Ken Burns |format=primarily excerpted from Jazz: A History of America's Music |access-date=May 17, 2006 |archive-date=August 12, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060812000720/http://www.pbs.org/jazz/places/places_new_orleans.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History of Les Gens De Couleur Libres |url=http://www.creolehistory.com/ |access-date=May 17, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522221017/http://www.creolehistory.com/ |archive-date=May 22, 2006}}</ref>

[[File:Sale of Estates, Pictures and Slaves in the Rotunda at New Orleans, 1842.jpg|thumb|Sale of Estates, Pictures and Slaves in the Rotunda at New Orleans, 1842<ref>{{cite web |first1= |last1= |first2= |last2= |title=St. Louis Hotel & Exchange: Auctioning Off Lives |url=https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/926 |website=New Orleans Historical.org |publisher= |date= |access-date=2025-04-26 |quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426142315/https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/926 |archive-date=2025-04-26 }}</ref>]]

New Orleans housed the largest slave market in the country, particularly after the U.S. ended the international slave trade in 1808. The domestic trade surged, with two-thirds of more than a million enslaved people forcibly relocated to the [[Deep South]]. The trade's economic value was immense as slaves were collectively valued at half a billion dollars, and the broader economy surrounding the trade, including transport and services, generated billions more. As a result, New Orleans benefited significantly, both financially and commercially, from this system.<ref>Walter Johnson, ''Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market'', Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1999, pp. 2, 6</ref>

Following the Louisiana Purchase, Anglo-Americans and later German and Irish immigrants migrated to the city, contributing to its rapid growth.<ref name="manumission"/> By 1840, New Orleans was the wealthiest and third-most populous city in the U.S.<ref>Lewis, Peirce F., ''New Orleans: The Making of an Urban Landscape'', Santa Fe, 2003, p. 175</ref> The white Francophone population remained influential, with French still used in some schools.{{sfn|Gitlin|2009|p= 166}} Free people of color (''gens de couleur libres''), mostly of mixed race and largely Francophone, formed a distinct artisan and professional class, even as the majority of black residents remained enslaved.<ref name="manumission">{{cite journal | url = http://www.kotlikoff.net/sites/default/files/The%20Manumission%20of%20Slaves%20in%20New%20Orleans,%201827-1846.pdf | first1 = Laurence J. | last1 = Kotlikoff | first2 = Anton J. | last2 = Rupert | title = The Manumission of Slaves in New Orleans, 1827–1846 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408225223/http://www.kotlikoff.net/sites/default/files/The%20Manumission%20of%20Slaves%20in%20New%20Orleans,%201827-1846.pdf | archivedate = April 8, 2014 | journal = Southern Studies | date = Summer 1980 }}</ref>{{page needed|date=February 2024}} The city's prosperity was shadowed by repeated [[List of epidemics and pandemics|epidemic]]s of [[yellow fever]] and other tropical and [[Infection|infectious diseases]], which killed over 150,000 residents in the 19th century.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Yellow Fever Turned New Orleans Into The 'City Of The Dead' |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2018/10/31/415535913/how-yellow-fever-turned-new-orleans-into-the-city-of-the-dead |work=NPR |date=October 31, 2018 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628214054/https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2018/10/31/415535913/how-yellow-fever-turned-new-orleans-into-the-city-of-the-dead |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A lesson from history: How the yellow fever epidemic changed society |url=https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/2020/05/10/a-lesson-from-history-how-the-yellow-fever-epidemic-changed-society#:~:text=Yellow%20fever%20killed%20more%20than,with%20references%20to%20yellow%20fever. |work=[[Palo Alto Weekly]] |date=May 10, 2020 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721161220/https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/2020/05/10/a-lesson-from-history-how-the-yellow-fever-epidemic-changed-society#:~:text=Yellow%20fever%20killed%20more%20than,with%20references%20to%20yellow%20fever. |url-status=live }}</ref> By 1860, the city's population had reached nearly 170,000, its per capita income was the second highest in the nation, and it was the third-largest U.S. port by import tonnage.<ref name="nystrom">{{cite book |last=Nystrom |first=Justin A. |title=New Orleans after the Civil War: Race, Politics, and a New Birth of Freedom |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=ZXYUCz-PjCAC |page=6}} |year=2010 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-0-8018-9997-3 |pages=6–}}</ref>

===Civil War–Reconstruction era===
{{See also|New Orleans in the American Civil War|Louisiana in the American Civil War}}

[[File:StarvingNewOrleans.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.15|The starving people of New Orleans under Union occupation during the Civil War, 1862]]

As the Creole elite feared, the [[American Civil War]] changed their world. In April 1862, following the city's occupation by the Union Navy after the [[Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip]], [[Benjamin Butler (politician)|Gen. Benjamin F. Butler]] – a respected Massachusetts lawyer serving in that state's militia – was appointed military governor. New Orleans residents supportive of the Confederacy nicknamed him "Beast" Butler, because of an order he issued. After his troops had been assaulted and harassed in the streets by women still loyal to the Confederate cause, his order warned that such future occurrences would result in his men treating such women as those "plying their avocation in the streets", implying that they would treat the women like prostitutes. Accounts of this spread widely. He also came to be called "Spoons" Butler because of the alleged looting that his troops did while occupying the city, during which time he himself supposedly pilfered silver flatware.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Benjamin Butler |url=https://64parishes.org/entry/benjamin-butler |access-date=2021-07-29 |website=64 Parishes |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616112819/https://64parishes.org/entry/benjamin-butler/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Significantly, Butler abolished French-language instruction in city schools. Statewide measures in 1864 and, after the war, 1868 further strengthened the English-only policy imposed by federal representatives. With the predominance of English speakers, that language had already become dominant in business and government.{{sfn|Gitlin|2009|p= 166}} By the end of the 19th century, French usage had faded. It was also under pressure from Irish, Italian and German immigrants.{{sfn|Gitlin|2009|p= 180}} However, 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,"<ref>''[[Leslie's Weekly]]'', December 11, 1902</ref> and as late as 1945, many elderly Creole women spoke no English.<ref>Robert Tallant & Lyle Saxon, ''Gumbo Ya-Ya: Folk Tales of Louisiana'', Louisiana Library Commission: 1945, p. 178</ref> The last major French language newspaper, ''[[L'Abeille de la Nouvelle-Orléans]]'' (New Orleans Bee), ceased publication on December 27, 1923, after 96 years.<ref name="Brasseaux2005">{{cite book |last=Brasseaux |first=Carl A. |title=French, Cajun, Creole, Houma: A Primer on Francophone Louisiana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j2IAZ7563soC&pg=PA32 |year=2005 |page=32 |publisher=LSU Press |isbn=978-0-8071-3036-0 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110084808/https://books.google.com/books?id=j2IAZ7563soC&pg=PA32#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> According to some sources, ''Le Courrier de la Nouvelle Orléans'' continued until 1955.<ref>''New Orleans City Guide''. The [[Federal Writers' Project]] of the Works Progress Administration: 1938, p. 90</ref>

As the city was captured and occupied early in the war, it was spared the destruction through warfare suffered by many other cities of the [[Southern United States|American South]]. The [[Union Army]] eventually extended its control north along the [[Mississippi River]] and along the coastal areas. As a result, most of the southern portion of Louisiana was originally exempted from the liberating provisions of the 1863 [[Emancipation Proclamation]] issued by President [[Abraham Lincoln]]. Large numbers of rural ex-slaves and some free people of color from the city volunteered for the first regiments of Black troops in the War. Led by Brigadier General [[Daniel Ullman]] (1810–1892), of the 78th Regiment of New York State Volunteers Militia, they were known as the "[[United States Colored Troops|Corps d'Afrique]]". While that name had been used by a militia before the war, that group was composed of [[free people of color]]. The new group was made up mostly of former slaves. They were supplemented in the last two years of the War by newly organized [[United States Colored Troops]], who played an increasingly important part in the war.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ustica.org/san_bartolomeo/catalog/civilwar.htm |title=Usticesi in the United States Civil War |publisher=The Ustica Connection |date=March 22, 2003 |access-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216050549/http://www.ustica.org/san_bartolomeo/catalog/civilwar.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:White_and_black_dockworkers_rest_on_cotton_bales_in_New_Orleans_in_1902.jpg|thumb|187x187px|Black and white [[New Orleans dock workers and unionization|dockworkers]] resting on cotton bales]]

Violence in the South, including the [[Memphis Riots of 1866|Memphis Riots]] and [[New Orleans Riot]] of 1866, spurred Congress to pass the [[Reconstruction Act]] and [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourteenth Amendment]], granting citizenship and civil rights to freedmen and free people of color. During Reconstruction, Louisiana and Texas were governed under the [[Fifth Military District]], and Louisiana was readmitted to the Union in 1868 with a new constitution that established [[Universal manhood suffrage|universal male suffrage]], universal public education, and elected both black and white officials. [[P.B.S. Pinchback]] briefly served as Louisiana's Republican governor in 1872, becoming the first U.S. governor of African descent. New Orleans also maintained a racially integrated [[New Orleans Public Schools|public school system]] during this period. However, wartime destruction, a financial recession, and the Panic of 1873 hindered economic recovery. From 1868, white insurgents used violence to suppress Black voters and disrupt Republican gatherings, culminating in the 1872 contested gubernatorial election and the rise of the "[[White League]]", a paramilitary group supporting Democrats. In 1874, they seized state offices during the [[Battle of Liberty Place]], and by 1876, [[Redeemers]] had reclaimed the state legislature. Federal troops withdrew in 1877, ending [[Reconstruction Era|Reconstruction]]. In 1892 the racially integrated unions of New Orleans led a [[1892 New Orleans general strike|general strike in the city]] from November 8 to 12, shutting down the city & winning the vast majority of their demands.<ref>Foner, ''History of the Labor Movement in the United States, Vol. 2: From the Founding of the American Federation of Labor to the Emergence of American Imperialism,'' 1955, p. 203.</ref><ref>Cook, "The Typographical Union and the New Orleans General Strike of 1892," ''Louisiana History,'' 1983; "Labor Trouble In New-Orleans," ''New York Times,'' November 5, 1892.</ref>

===Jim Crow era===
[[Dixiecrats]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] passed [[Jim Crow]] laws, establishing [[racial segregation]] in public facilities. In 1889, the legislature passed a [[constitutional amendment]] incorporating a "[[grandfather clause]]" that effectively [[Disfranchisement after Reconstruction era|disfranchised]] freedmen as well as the propertied people of color [[Manumission|manumitted]] before the war. Unable to vote, African Americans could not serve on juries or in local office, and were closed out of formal politics for generations. The Southern U.S. was ruled by a white Democratic Party. Public schools were racially segregated and remained so until 1960.

New Orleans's large community of well-educated, often French-speaking [[free persons of color]] (''gens de couleur libres''), who had been free prior to the Civil War, fought against Jim Crow. They organized the ''Comité des Citoyens'' (Citizens Committee) to work for civil rights. As part of their legal campaign, they recruited one of their own, [[Homer Plessy]], to test whether Louisiana's newly enacted Separate Car Act was constitutional. Plessy boarded a commuter train departing New Orleans for [[Covington, Louisiana]], sat in the car reserved for whites only, and was arrested. The case resulting from this incident, ''[[Plessy v. Ferguson]]'', was heard by the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]] in 1896. The court ruled that "[[separate but equal]]" accommodations were constitutional, effectively upholding Jim Crow measures.

In practice, African-American public schools and facilities were underfunded across the South. The Supreme Court ruling contributed to this period as the [[Nadir of American race relations|nadir of race relations]] in the United States. The rate of [[Lynching in the United States|lynchings]] of black men was high across the South, as other states also disfranchised blacks and sought to impose Jim Crow. Nativist prejudices also surfaced. [[Anti-Italianism#Anti-Italianism in the United States|Anti-Italian]] sentiment in 1891 contributed to the [[March 14, 1891 lynchings|lynchings of 11 Italians]], some of whom had been acquitted of the murder of the police chief. Some were shot and killed in the jail where they were detained. It was the largest mass lynching in U.S. history.<ref>{{cite web |ref={{harvid|Library of Congress}} |title=Immigration / Italian |website=Library of Congress |url=https://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/immigration/italian8.html |access-date=December 29, 2017 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628191345/http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/immigration/italian8.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Gambino2000">{{cite book |last=Gambino |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Gambino |title=Vendetta: The True Story of the Largest Lynching in U.S. History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jA9-dmAsoMwC |year=2000 |publisher=Guernica Editions |isbn=978-1-55071-103-5 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110084854/https://books.google.com/books?id=jA9-dmAsoMwC |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 1900 the city was swept by white mobs rioting after Robert Charles, a young African American, killed a policeman and temporarily escaped. The mob killed him and an estimated 20 other blacks; seven whites died in the days-long conflict, until a [[Militia (United States)|state militia]] suppressed it.

===20th century===
[[File:EsplanadeBurgundy1900.jpg|right|thumb|[[Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans|Esplanade Avenue]] at Burgundy Street, looking lakewards (north) towards [[Lake Pontchartrain]] in 1900]]
[[File:RationingBoardNOLAVachonC.jpg|right|thumb|1943 waiting line at wartime Rationing Board office in New Orleans]]

New Orleans's economic and population zenith in relation to other American cities occurred in the antebellum period. It was the nation's fifth-largest city in 1860 (after New York, [[Philadelphia]], [[Boston]] and Baltimore) and was significantly larger than all other southern cities.<ref name="Lewis-2003–175">Lewis, Peirce F., ''New Orleans: The Making of an Urban Landscape'', Santa Fe, 2003, p. 175.</ref> From the mid-19th century onward rapid economic growth shifted to other areas, while New Orleans's relative importance steadily declined. The growth of railways and highways decreased river traffic, diverting goods to other transportation corridors and markets.<ref name="Lewis-2003–175" /> Thousands of the most ambitious [[Person of color|people of color]] left the state in the [[Great Migration (African American)|Great Migration]] around [[World War II]] and after, many for [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] destinations. From the late 1800s, most censuses recorded New Orleans slipping down the ranks in the list of largest American cities (New Orleans's population still continued to increase throughout the period, but at a slower rate than before the Civil War).

In 1929, a [[1929 New Orleans streetcar strike|streetcar strike]] took place in the city, during which serious unrest occurred.<ref>{{cite web |title=July 1, 1929: Streetcar Workers Strike in New Orleans |url=https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/streetcar-workers-strike-new-orleans/ |website=Zinn Education Project |access-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716050306/https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/streetcar-workers-strike-new-orleans/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also credited for the creation of the distinctly Louisianan [[po' boy]] sandwich.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mizell-Nelson |first1=Michael |title=1929 Streetcar Strike - Stop 4 of 9 in the Streetcars and their Historian Michael Mizell-Nelson tour |url=https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/514 |website=New Orleans Historical |language=en |access-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716050250/https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/514 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mizell-Nelson |first=Michael |title=Po-Boy Sandwich - Stop 6 of 7 in the French Quarter Street Food tour |url=https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/480 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=New Orleans Historical |language=en |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716050144/https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/480 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By the mid-20th century, New Orleanians recognized that their city was no longer the leading urban area in the South. By 1950, [[Houston]], [[Dallas]], and [[Atlanta]] exceeded New Orleans in size, and in 1960 [[Miami]] eclipsed New Orleans, even as the latter's population reached its historic peak.<ref name="Lewis-2003–175" /> As with other older American cities, highway construction and suburban development drew residents from the center city to newer housing outside. The 1970 census recorded the first absolute decline in population since the city became part of the United States in 1803. The [[New Orleans metropolitan area]] continued expanding in population, albeit more slowly than other major [[Sun Belt]] cities. While the [[Port of New Orleans]] remained one of the nation's largest, automation and [[containerization]] cost many jobs. The city's former role as banker to the South was supplanted by larger peer cities. New Orleans's economy had always been based more on trade and financial services than on manufacturing, but the city's relatively small manufacturing sector also shrank after World War II. Despite some economic development successes under the administrations of [[deLesseps Story Morrison]] (1946–1961) and [[Victor H. Schiro]] (1961–1970), metropolitan New Orleans's growth rate consistently lagged behind more vigorous cities.

During the later years of Mayor deLesseps Morrison's administration and throughout Victor Schiro's tenure, New Orleans became a focal point of the [[Civil Rights Movement]]. The [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference]] was founded in the city, and lunch counter sit-ins took place in [[Canal Street, New Orleans|Canal Street]] department stores. Tensions escalated in 1960 during school desegregation following the ''[[Brown v. Board of Education]]'' (1954) ruling. Six-year-old [[Ruby Bridges]] integrated [[William Frantz Elementary School]], becoming the first child of color to attend a previously all-white Southern school. Racial controversy also surrounded the [[1956 Sugar Bowl]], when Georgia governor [[Marvin Griffin]] opposed the participation of [[1955 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pitt Panthers]] African-American fullback [[Bobby Grier (Pittsburgh Panthers)|Bobby Grier]].<ref name=fcflu>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Cs9RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C2wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4796%2C5131560 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |last=Sell |first=Jack |title=Panthers defeat flu; face Ga. Tech next |date=December 30, 1955 |page=1 |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225072207/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Cs9RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C2wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4796%2C5131560 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Mulé">Mulé, Marty – {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070610185435/http://www.blackathlete.net/artman/publish/article_01392.shtml A Time For Change: Bobby Grier And The 1956 Sugar Bowl]}}. Black Athlete Sports Network, December 28, 2005</ref><ref>Zeise, Paul – [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05280/584401.stm Bobby Grier broke bowl's color line. The Panthers' Bobby Grier was the first African-American to play in Sugar Bowl] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309113920/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05280/584401.stm |date=March 9, 2012 }} Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 07, 2005</ref><ref>Thamel, Pete – [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/01/sports/ncaafootball/01grier.html?ex=1293771600&en=8a6a5b2ca5956881&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss Grier Integrated a Game and Earned the World's Respect] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102053133/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/01/sports/ncaafootball/01grier.html?ex=1293771600&en=8a6a5b2ca5956881&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss |date=January 2, 2015 }}. New York Times, January 1, 2006.</ref> Georgia Institute of Technology president [[Blake R. Van Leer]] defied the governor, and the game proceeded.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fromtherumbleseat.com/2019/11/14/20914927/rearview-revisited-segregation-and-the-sugar-bowl-georgia-tech-pittsburgh-bobby-grier-1955-1956-game |publisher=Georgia Tech |title=Rearview Revisited: Segregation and the Sugar Bowl |author=Jake Grantl |date=2019-11-14 |access-date=2019-11-14 |archive-date=November 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114161717/https://www.fromtherumbleseat.com/2019/11/14/20914927/rearview-revisited-segregation-and-the-sugar-bowl-georgia-tech-pittsburgh-bobby-grier-1955-1956-game |url-status=live }}</ref> The federal [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]] and the [[Voting Rights Act of 1965]] restored key constitutional protections, but economic and educational disparities between Black and White residents remained.<ref>Germany, Kent B., ''New Orleans After the Promises: Poverty, Citizenship and the Search for the Great Society'', Athens, 2007, pp. 3–5</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Glassman, James K., "New Orleans: I have Seen the Future, and It's Houston", ''The Atlantic Monthly'', July 1978</ref> As more affluent residents left the city, its population became increasingly poor and predominantly African-American. Beginning in 1980, Black-majority leadership emerged, working to address entrenched socioeconomic inequities.

By the late 20th century, New Orleans had grown increasingly reliant on tourism amid rising poverty, low educational attainment, and high crime, which hindered its adaptation to the broader U.S. shift toward a post-industrial service economy.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Meanwhile, city leaders pursued geographic expansion through [[Drainage in New Orleans|ambitious drainage efforts]]. Engineer [[A. Baldwin Wood]] designed a pump system that allowed development in formerly uninhabitable swamp and marsh areas, but over time, these areas subsided significantly below sea level.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Kusky, Timothy M. |title=Why is New Orleans Sinking? |publisher=Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Saint Louis University |date=December 29, 2005 |url=http://www.eas.slu.edu/People/TMKusky/original%20files/Why%20is%20New%20Orleans%20Sinking.pdf |access-date=June 17, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060623092455/http://www.eas.slu.edu/People/TMKusky/original%20files/Why%20is%20New%20Orleans%20Sinking.pdf |archive-date=June 23, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Larry |last=O'Hanlon |url=http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20060327/neworleans_pla.html |title=New Orleans Sits Atop Giant Landslide |publisher=Discovery Channel |date=March 31, 2006 |access-date=June 17, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614211349/http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20060327/neworleans_pla.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=June 14, 2006}}</ref> Although the city had always faced flooding risks, awareness of its vulnerability grew after [[Hurricane Betsy]] in 1965 and the [[May 8th 1995 Louisiana Flood]]. These events exposed the limits of the drainage system, prompting upgrades. By the 1980s and 1990s, scientists warned that [[Coastal erosion in Louisiana|erosion of the marshlands and swamp surrounding New Orleans]], exacerbated by developments like the [[Mississippi River–Gulf Outlet Canal]], had left the city more exposed than ever to hurricane [[storm surge]]s.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

===21st century===
{{See also|Effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans|Reconstruction of New Orleans}}
[[File:Katrina 2005-08-29 1445Z.jpg|thumb|[[Hurricane Katrina]] at its landfall near the Louisiana-Mississippi border]]

New Orleans was catastrophically affected by what Raymond B. Seed called "the worst engineering disaster in the world since [[Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl]]", when [[2005 levee failures in Greater New Orleans|the federal levee system failed]] during [[Hurricane Katrina]] on August 29, 2005.<ref name="Baker">[http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2006/2/2006_2_23.shtml Kevin Baker] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005062625/http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2006/2/2006_2_23.shtml |date=October 5, 2009 }} "The Future of New Orleans", ''American Heritage'', April/May 2006.</ref> By the time the hurricane approached the city on August 29, 2005, most residents had evacuated. As the hurricane passed through the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast region]] that day, the city's [[Flood Control Act of 1965|federal flood protection]] system failed, resulting in the worst [[civil engineering]] disaster in American history at the time.<ref>{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Marshall |url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1133336859287360.xml |title=17th Street Canal levee was doomed |work=The Times-Picayune |date=November 30, 2005 |access-date=March 12, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907073947/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-4%2F1133336859287360.xml |archive-date=September 7, 2006}}</ref> Floodwalls and [[levee]]s constructed by the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]] failed below design specifications and 80% of the city flooded. Tens of thousands of residents who had remained were rescued or otherwise made their way to shelters of last resort at the [[Mercedes-Benz Superdome|Louisiana Superdome]] or the [[New Orleans Morial Convention Center]]. More than 1,500 people were recorded as having died in Louisiana, most in New Orleans, while others remain unaccounted for.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1148020620117480.xml&coll=1 |title=Deaths of evacuees push toll to 1,577 |publisher=nola.com |access-date=March 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184520/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-5%2F1148020620117480.xml&coll=1 |archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref><ref name=184_Katrina1>{{cite web |title=After Katrina: 184 Infantry Soldiers to the Rescue |url=http://spectrummagazine.net/pdfs/2005_10_SpectrumArchive.pdf |publisher=The Spectrum, October 2005 |access-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226042813/http://spectrummagazine.net/pdfs/2005_10_SpectrumArchive.pdf |archive-date=December 26, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Before Hurricane Katrina, the city called for the first mandatory evacuation in its history, to be followed by another mandatory evacuation three years later with [[Hurricane Gustav]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/nagin-orders-mandatory-evacuation-of-new-orleans-as-gustav-approaches |title=Nagin Orders Mandatory Evacuation of New Orleans as Gustav Approaches |work=Fox news |date=August 30, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Navy-FloodedNewOrleans.jpg|right|thumb|An aerial view from a United States Navy helicopter showing floodwaters around the Louisiana Superdome (stadium) and surrounding area (2005)]]

The city was declared off-limits to residents while efforts to clean up after [[Hurricane Katrina]] began. The approach of [[Hurricane Rita]] in September 2005 caused repopulation efforts to be postponed,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/15/katrina.impact/index.html |title=Mayor: Parts of New Orleans to reopen |date=September 15, 2005 |publisher=CNN |access-date=May 2, 2006 |archive-date=June 18, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618093145/http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/15/katrina.impact/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Lower Ninth Ward]] was reflooded by Rita's storm surge.<ref name="184_Katrina1"/> Because of the scale of damage, many people resettled permanently outside the area. Federal, state, and local efforts supported recovery and rebuilding in severely damaged neighborhoods. The U.S. Census Bureau in July 2006 estimated the population to be 223,000; the city was estimated to have regained approximately 60% of its pre-Katrina population by summer 2007.<ref>[http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1186642536113410.xml&coll=1 "N.O. head count gains steam"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701223143/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-8%2F1186642536113410.xml&coll=1 |date=July 1, 2009 }}, ''The Times-Picayune'', August 9, 2007. Retrieved August 14, 2007.</ref> Ten years after the hurricane, the population had recovered to 80% of what it was at the 2000 census.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.datacenterresearch.org/data-resources/katrina/facts-for-impact/ |title=Facts for Features: Katrina Impact {{!}} The Data Center |website=www.datacenterresearch.org |language=en |access-date=November 9, 2018 |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830005056/https://www.datacenterresearch.org/data-resources/katrina/facts-for-impact/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Several major tourist events and other forms of revenue for the city have returned. Large conventions returned.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/21/ap/business/mainD8ICG2NG0.shtml |title=New Orleans Braces for Convention Comeback |website=[[CBS News]] |access-date=March 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520104030/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/21/ap/business/mainD8ICG2NG0.shtml <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=May 20, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neworleanscvb.com/articles/index.cfm/action/articles/typeID/1 |title=New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau |access-date=March 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403040320/http://www.neworleanscvb.com/articles/index.cfm/action/articles/typeID/1 |archive-date=April 3, 2008}}</ref> College bowl games returned for the [[2006–07 NCAA football bowl games|2006–2007 season]]. The [[New Orleans Saints]] returned that season. The [[New Orleans Hornets]] (now named the Pelicans) returned to the city for the [[2007–08 New Orleans Hornets season|2007–2008 season]]. New Orleans hosted the [[2008 NBA All-Star Game]] in addition to [[Super Bowl XLVII]]. Major annual events such as [[New Orleans Mardi Gras|Mardi Gras]], [[Voodoo Experience]], and the [[New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival|Jazz & Heritage Festival]] were never displaced or canceled. A new annual festival, "The Running of the Bulls New Orleans", was created in 2007.<ref>[http://www.neworleans.com/festivals/other-festivals/11386-0710-running-of-the-bulls-in-new-orleans.html Nola.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100622032747/http://www.neworleans.com/festivals/other-festivals/11386-0710-running-of-the-bulls-in-new-orleans.html |date=June 22, 2010 }}, New Orleans</ref>

On August 29, 2021, coincidentally the 16th anniversary of the landfall of Hurricane Katrina, [[Hurricane Ida]], a category 4 hurricane, made landfall near [[Port Fourchon, Louisiana|Port Fourchon]], where the [[Hurricane Ida tornado outbreak]] caused damage.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ghose|first=Tia|url=https://www.livescience.com/hurricane-ida-landfall-2021.html |title='Extremely dangerous' Hurricane Ida makes landfall in Louisiana with 150 mph winds |work=LiveScience |date=August 29, 2021|access-date=February 20, 2024}}</ref> On January 1, 2025, [[2025 New Orleans truck attack|a truck attack]] occurred in New Orleans, killing 15 people and injuring 35. The attack was carried out as an act of [[domestic terrorism]] and was committed by Shamsud-Din Jabbar.

On December 30, 2025, 350 [[Louisiana National Guard]] troops were deployed to New Orleans as part of wave of [[2025 deployment of federal forces in the United States|recent]] nationwide [[National Guard]] deployments.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/national-guard-troops-new-orleans-new-years-one-year-bourbon-street-attack/|title=National Guard troops patrol New Orleans on New Year's a year after Bourbon Street attack|first=Kati|last=Weis|publisher=CBS News|date=December 31, 2025|accessdate=December 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Cline|first1=Sara|last2=Brook|first2=Jack|date=December 30, 2025|title=National Guard arrives in New Orleans for 1st New Year's since Bourbon Street attack|publisher=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-bourbon-attack-security-1298ae460051ab9d80e04f41ed7b6802|access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wdsu.com/article/louisiana-national-guard-arrives-new-orleans/69894051|title=Louisiana National Guard arrives in New Orleans, driving Humvees down Bourbon Street|first=Erin|last=Lowrey|publisher=WDSU|date=December 31, 2025|accessdate=December 31, 2025}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Satellite image of New Orleans in April 2024.png|thumb|upright=1.15|right|A true-color image captured by [[ESA]]'s [[Sentinel-2A]] in April 2024, New Orleans positioned at the bottom right of the image. [[Lake Pontchartrain]] prominently occupies the central area of the image, while the [[Mississippi River]] can also be observed coursing through the city.]]

New Orleans is located in the [[Mississippi River Delta]], south of [[Lake Pontchartrain]], on the banks of the [[Mississippi River]], approximately {{convert|105|mi|km}} upriver from the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city's area is {{convert|350|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|169|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|181|sqmi}} (52%) is water.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov//geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_22.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 20, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006075458/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_22.txt |archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> The area along the river is characterized by ridges and hollows.

===Elevation===
{{See also|Drainage in New Orleans}}

[[File:New Orleans Levee System.svg|thumb|upright=1.15|right|Vertical cross-section, showing maximum levee height of {{convert|23|ft|m}}. Note that the depicted water level of the river equates to its average annual high-water mark, some fourteen feet above sea level; by contrast, the lake level exhibits little meaningful seasonal variation.]]

New Orleans was originally settled on the river's natural [[levee]]s or high ground. After the [[Flood Control Act of 1965]], the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] built floodwalls and man-made levees around a much larger geographic footprint that included previous marshland and swamp. Over time, pumping of water from marshland allowed for development into lower elevation areas. Today, half of the city is at or below local mean sea level, while the other half is slightly above sea level. Evidence suggests that portions of the city may be dropping in elevation due to [[subsidence]].<ref>{{cite web |title=New Study Maps Rate of New Orleans Sinking |url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/new-study-maps-rate-of-new-orleans-sinking/ |website=NASA |date=May 16, 2016 |access-date=16 May 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308185136/https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/new-study-maps-rate-of-new-orleans-sinking/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

A 2007 study by [[Tulane University|Tulane]] and [[Xavier University of Louisiana|Xavier University]] suggested that "51%... of the contiguous urbanized portions of Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes lie at or above sea level," with the more densely populated areas generally on higher ground. The average elevation of the city is currently between {{convert|1|and|2|ft|m}} below sea level, with some portions of the city as high as {{convert|20|ft|m|0}} at the base of the river levee in [[Uptown, New Orleans|Uptown]] and others as low as {{convert|7|ft|m|0}} below sea level in the farthest reaches of [[Eastern New Orleans]].<ref>Campanella, R. [http://richcampanella.com/assets/pdf/study_Campanella%20analysis%20on%20Above-Sea-Level%20New%20Orleans.pdf Above-Sea-Level New Orleans] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071726/http://richcampanella.com/assets/pdf/study_Campanella%20analysis%20on%20Above-Sea-Level%20New%20Orleans.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }} April 2007.</ref><ref>Williams, L. [http://blog.nola.com/topnews/2007/04/higher_ground.html Higher Ground] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819232938/http://blog.nola.com/topnews/2007/04/higher_ground.html |date=August 19, 2017 }} A study finds that New Orleans has plenty of real estate above sea level that is being underutilized. ''The Times Picayune'', April 21, 2007.</ref> A study published by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers|ASCE]] ''[[Journal of Hydrologic Engineering]]'' in 2016, however, stated:

{{blockquote|...most of New Orleans proper—about 65%—is at or below mean sea level, as defined by the average elevation of Lake Pontchartrain<ref>{{Cite journal |doi=10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0001338 |title=Using New Orleans Pumping Data to Reconcile Gauge Observations of Isolated Extreme Rainfall due to Hurricane Isaac |journal=Journal of Hydrologic Engineering |volume=21 |issue=9 |page=05016020 |year=2016 |last1=Schlotzhauer |first1=David |last2=Lincoln |first2=W. Scott| issn = 1084-0699}}</ref>}}

The magnitude of subsidence potentially caused by the draining of natural marsh in the New Orleans area and southeast Louisiana is a topic of debate. A study published in [[Geology (journal)|''Geology'']] in 2006 by an associate professor at Tulane University claims:

{{blockquote|While erosion and wetland loss are huge problems along Louisiana's coast, the basement {{convert|30|ft|m}} to {{convert|50|ft|m}} beneath much of the Mississippi Delta has been highly stable for the past 8,000 years with negligible subsidence rates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.tulane.edu/news/newwave/072406_a_new_look_at_subsidence_issues.cfm |title=A New Look at Subsidence Issues |author=Strecker, M. |date=July 24, 2006}}{{Dead link |date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>}}

The study noted, however, that the results did not necessarily apply to the Mississippi River Delta, nor the New Orleans metropolitan area proper. On the other hand, a report by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] claims that "New Orleans is subsiding (sinking)":<ref name="ASCE">[http://www.asce.org/files/pdf/ERPreport.pdf The New Orleans Hurricane Protection System: What Went Wrong and Why.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702194739/http://www.asce.org/files/pdf/ERPreport.pdf |date=July 2, 2007 }} Report by the American Society of Civil Engineers.</ref>

{{blockquote|Large portions of Orleans, [[St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana|St. Bernard]], and [[Jefferson Parish, Louisiana|Jefferson]] parishes are currently below sea level—and continue to sink. New Orleans is built on thousands of feet of soft sand, silt, and clay. Subsidence, or settling of the ground surface, occurs naturally due to the consolidation and oxidation of organic soils (called "marsh" in New Orleans) and local groundwater pumping. In the past, flooding and deposition of sediments from the Mississippi River counterbalanced the natural subsidence, leaving southeast Louisiana at or [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]]. However, due to major flood control structures being built upstream on the Mississippi River and levees being built around New Orleans, fresh layers of sediment are not replenishing the ground lost by subsidence.<ref name="ASCE"/>}}

In May 2016, NASA published a study which suggested that most areas were, in fact, experiencing subsidence at a "highly variable rate" which was "generally consistent with, but somewhat higher than, previous studies."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/new-study-maps-rate-of-new-orleans-sinking |title=New Study Maps Rate of New Orleans Sinking |date=May 16, 2016 |access-date=June 15, 2016 |archive-date=June 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608115437/http://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/new-study-maps-rate-of-new-orleans-sinking/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Cityscape===
{{See also|Wards of New Orleans|Neighborhoods in New Orleans}}

[[File:orleans.bourbon.arp.750pix.jpg|right|thumb|[[Bourbon Street]], New Orleans, in 2003, looking towards Canal Street]]
[[File:Colorful houses in New Orleans.jpg|thumb|right|New Orleans contains many distinctive neighborhoods.]]

The [[New Orleans Central Business District|Central Business District]] is located immediately north and west of the Mississippi and was historically called the "American Quarter" or "American Sector". It was developed after the heart of French and Spanish settlement. It includes [[Lafayette Square, New Orleans|Lafayette Square]]. Most streets in this area fan out from a central point. Major streets include [[Canal Street, New Orleans|Canal Street]], Poydras Street, Tulane Avenue and Loyola Avenue. Canal Street divides the traditional "[[Downtown New Orleans|downtown]]" area from the "[[Uptown New Orleans|uptown]]" area.

Every street crossing Canal Street between the Mississippi River and [[Rampart Street]], which is the northern edge of the French Quarter, has a different name for the "uptown" and "downtown" portions. For example, [[St. Charles Avenue]], known for its street car line, is called [[Royal Street, New Orleans|Royal Street]] below Canal Street, though where it traverses the Central Business District between Canal and Lee Circle, it is properly called St. Charles Street.<ref>Brock, Eric J. ''New Orleans'', Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, South Carolina (1999), pp. 108–09.</ref> Elsewhere in the city, Canal Street serves as the dividing point between the "South" and "North" portions of various streets. In the local [[wikt:parlance|parlance]] ''downtown'' means "downriver from Canal Street", while ''uptown'' means "upriver from Canal Street". Downtown neighborhoods include the French Quarter, [[Tremé]], the [[7th Ward of New Orleans|7th Ward]], [[Faubourg Marigny]], [[Bywater, New Orleans|Bywater]] (the Upper Ninth Ward), and the Lower [[Ninth Ward of New Orleans|Ninth Ward]]. [[Uptown New Orleans|Uptown]] neighborhoods include the Warehouse District, the [[Lower Garden District, New Orleans|Lower Garden District]], the [[Garden District, New Orleans|Garden District]], the [[Irish Channel, New Orleans|Irish Channel]], the University District, [[Carrollton, Louisiana|Carrollton]], [[Gert Town, New Orleans|Gert Town]], [[Fontainebleau, New Orleans|Fontainebleau]] and [[Broadmoor, New Orleans|Broadmoor]]. However, the Warehouse and the Central Business District are frequently called "Downtown" as a specific region, as in the Downtown Development District.

Other major districts within the city include [[Bayou St. John (neighborhood)|Bayou St. John]], [[Mid-City New Orleans|Mid-City]], [[Gentilly, New Orleans|Gentilly]], [[Lakeview, New Orleans|Lakeview]], Lakefront, [[Eastern New Orleans|New Orleans East]] and [[Algiers, New Orleans|Algiers]].

====Historic and residential architecture====
{{See also|Buildings and architecture of New Orleans}} New Orleans is world-famous for its abundance of architectural styles that reflect the city's multicultural heritage. Though New Orleans possesses numerous structures of national architectural significance, it is equally, if not more, revered for its enormous, largely intact (even post-Katrina) historic built environment. Twenty National Register Historic Districts have been established, and fourteen local historic districts aid in preservation. Thirteen of the districts are administered by the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC), while one—the French Quarter—is administered by the Vieux Carre Commission (VCC). Additionally, both the [[National Park Service]], via the [[National Register of Historic Places]], and the HDLC have landmarked individual buildings, many of which lie outside the boundaries of existing historic districts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nolamasterplan.org/documentsandrresources.asp |title=Part 2-The Plan; Section 1-How We Live; Map-Local and National Register Historic Districts |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115105708/http://www.nolamasterplan.org/documentsandrresources.asp |archive-date=January 15, 2016}}</ref>

Housing styles include the [[shotgun house]] and the [[bungalow]] style. Creole cottages and townhouses, notable for their large courtyards and intricate iron balconies, line the streets of the French Quarter. American townhouses, double-gallery houses, and Raised Center-Hall Cottages are notable. [[St. Charles Avenue]] is famed for its large [[Antebellum architecture|antebellum homes]]. Its mansions are in various styles, such as [[Greek Revival architecture|Greek Revival]], [[American colonial architecture|American Colonial]] and the [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] styles of [[Queen Anne style architecture in the United States|Queen Anne]] and [[Italianate architecture]]. New Orleans is also noted for its large, European-style Catholic cemeteries.

====Tallest buildings====
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in New Orleans}}
[[File:New Orleans Skyline from Uptown.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2.5|Skyline of the [[New Orleans Central Business District|Central Business District]] of New Orleans]]
For much of its history, New Orleans's skyline displayed only low- and mid-rise structures. The soft soils are susceptible to subsidence, and there was doubt about the feasibility of constructing high rises. Developments in engineering throughout the 20th century eventually made it possible to build sturdy foundations in the foundations that underlie the structures. In the 1960s, the [[2 Canal Street|World Trade Center New Orleans]] and [[Plaza Tower]] demonstrated skyscrapers' viability. [[One Shell Square]] became the city's tallest building in 1972. The oil boom of the 1970s and early 1980s redefined New Orleans's skyline with the development of the Poydras Street corridor. Most are clustered along [[Canal Street, New Orleans|Canal Street]] and Poydras Street in the Central Business District.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Stories
! Height
|-
| [[One Shell Square]] || 51 || {{cvt|697|ft|m}}
|-
| [[Place St. Charles]] || 53 || {{cvt|645|ft|m}}
|-
| [[Plaza Tower]] || 45 || {{cvt|531|ft|m}}
|-
| [[Energy Centre]] || 39 || {{cvt|530|ft|m}}
|-
| [[First Bank and Trust Tower]] || 36 || {{cvt|481|ft|m}}
|}

===Climate===
{{See also|Hurricane preparedness for New Orleans}}
<div style="width:100%;"></div>

[[File:Snow in New Orleans by evreniz.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|right|Snow falls on [[St. Charles Avenue]] in December 2008.]]The climate of New Orleans is [[Humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfa''), with short, generally mild winters and hot, humid summers; in the 1991–2020 climate normals the USDA hardiness zone is 9b, with the coldest temperature in most years being about {{convert|27.6|°F|1}}. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from {{convert|54.3|°F|1}} in January to {{convert|84|°F|1}} in August. Officially, as measured at New Orleans International Airport, temperature records range from {{convert|11|to|105|F|C}} [[December 1989 United States cold wave|on December 23, 1989]], and August 27, 2023, respectively; Audubon Park has recorded temperatures ranging from {{convert|6|°F}} on [[Great Blizzard of 1899|February 13, 1899]], up to {{convert|104|°F}} on June 24, 2009, and August 28, 2023.<ref name="NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge, LA (LIX)"/> Dewpoints in the summer months (June–August) are relatively high, ranging from {{convert|21.7|to|23.0|C|F|order=flip}}.<ref name="WMO 1961–90 KMSY"/>

The average precipitation is {{convert|62.5|in|sigfig=3}} annually; the summer months are the wettest, while October is the driest month.<ref name="NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge, LA (LIX)"/> Precipitation in winter usually accompanies the passing of a cold front. There are a median of over 80 days of {{convert|90|°F|0}}+ highs, 9 days per winter where the high does not exceed {{convert|50|°F|0}}, and less than 8 nights with freezing lows annually, although it is not uncommon for entire winter seasons to pass with no freezing temperatures at all, such as the 2003–04 winter, the 2012–13 winter, the 2015–16 winter and the consecutive winters of 2018–19 and 2019–20. It is rare for the temperature to reach {{convert|20|or|100|°F|°C}}, with the last occurrence of each being January 17, 2018, and August 27, 2023, respectively.<ref name="NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge, LA (LIX)"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=US Department of Commerce |first=NOAA |title=2023 Summer Heat & Climatology |url=https://www.weather.gov/lix/2023summerheat |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=www.weather.gov |language=EN-US}}</ref>

New Orleans experiences snowfall only on rare occasions.  The [[New Year's Eve 1963 snowstorm]] affected New Orleans and brought {{convert|4.5|in|cm}}. Snow fell again on December 22, 1989, during the [[December 1989 United States cold wave]], when most of the city received {{convert|1|–|2|in|cm}}.  A small amount of snow fell during the [[2004 Christmas Eve Snowstorm]] and again on [[Christmas]] (December 25) when a combination of rain, sleet, and snow fell on the city, leaving some bridges icy. The last significant snowfall in New Orleans was on [[January 20–22, 2025 Gulf Coast blizzard|January 21, 2025]], when the city received {{convert|8|-|10|in|cm}} of snow.<ref>{{cite web |title=How much snow did New Orleans get? |date=January 21, 2025 |url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/weather/weather-impact/how-much-snow-did-new-orleans-get-historic-new-orleans-winters-storm/289-ac64ab08-cbd4-4d5a-862f-8adb875f1be3 |access-date=22 January 2025 | work = WWL-TV }}</ref> {{Weather box
| location = [[Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport]] (1991–2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020}} extremes 1946–present){{efn|Official records for New Orleans have been kept at MSY since May 1, 1946.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://threadex.rcc-acis.org/ |title=Threaded Extremes |website=threadex.rcc-acis.org |access-date=September 3, 2016 |archive-date=March 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305195121/http://threadex.rcc-acis.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additional records from Audubon Park dating back to 1893 have also been included.}}
| single line = Y
| collapsed = Y
| Jan record high F = 83
| Feb record high F = 85
| Mar record high F = 89
| Apr record high F = 92
| May record high F = 97
| Jun record high F = 101
| Jul record high F = 101
| Aug record high F = 105
| Sep record high F = 101
| Oct record high F = 97
| Nov record high F = 88
| Dec record high F = 85
| year record high F = 105
| Jan avg record high F = 77.5
| Feb avg record high F = 79.7
| Mar avg record high F = 82.9
| Apr avg record high F = 86.5
| May avg record high F = 91.9
| Jun avg record high F = 95.2
| Jul avg record high F = 96.6
| Aug avg record high F = 96.7
| Sep avg record high F = 94.3
| Oct avg record high F = 89.8
| Nov avg record high F = 83.8
| Dec avg record high F = 80.3
| year avg record high F = 97.6
| Jan high F = 62.5
| Feb high F = 66.4
| Mar high F = 72.3
| Apr high F = 78.5
| May high F = 85.3
| Jun high F = 90.0
| Jul high F = 91.4
| Aug high F = 91.3
| Sep high F = 88.1
| Oct high F = 80.6
| Nov high F = 71.2
| Dec high F = 64.8
| year high F = 78.5
| Jan mean F = 54.3
| Feb mean F = 58.0
| Mar mean F = 63.8
| Apr mean F = 70.1
| May mean F = 77.1
| Jun mean F = 82.4
| Jul mean F = 83.9
| Aug mean F = 84.0
| Sep mean F = 80.8
| Oct mean F = 72.5
| Nov mean F = 62.4
| Dec mean F = 56.6
| year mean F = 70.5
| Jan low F = 46.1
| Feb low F = 49.7
| Mar low F = 55.3
| Apr low F = 61.7
| May low F = 69.0
| Jun low F = 74.7
| Jul low F = 76.5
| Aug low F = 76.6
| Sep low F = 73.5
| Oct low F = 64.3
| Nov low F = 53.7
| Dec low F = 48.4
| year low F = 62.5
| Jan avg record low F = 29.5
| Feb avg record low F = 33.4
| Mar avg record low F = 38.0
| Apr avg record low F = 47.1
| May avg record low F = 57.3
| Jun avg record low F = 67.4
| Jul avg record low F = 71.4
| Aug avg record low F = 71.1
| Sep avg record low F = 63.3
| Oct avg record low F = 47.7
| Nov avg record low F = 37.7
| Dec avg record low F = 32.6
| year avg record low F = 27.6
| Jan record low F = 14
| Feb record low F = 16
| Mar record low F = 25
| Apr record low F = 32
| May record low F = 41
| Jun record low F = 50
| Jul record low F = 60
| Aug record low F = 60
| Sep record low F = 42
| Oct record low F = 35
| Nov record low F = 24
| Dec record low F = 11
| year record low F = 11
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 5.18
| Feb precipitation inch = 4.13
| Mar precipitation inch = 4.36
| Apr precipitation inch = 5.22
| May precipitation inch = 5.64
| Jun precipitation inch = 7.62
| Jul precipitation inch = 6.79
| Aug precipitation inch = 6.91
| Sep precipitation inch = 5.11
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.70
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.87
| Dec precipitation inch = 4.82
| year precipitation inch = 63.35
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 9.5
| Feb precipitation days = 9.0
| Mar precipitation days = 8.1
| Apr precipitation days = 7.3
| May precipitation days = 7.8
| Jun precipitation days = 12.7
| Jul precipitation days = 13.9
| Aug precipitation days = 13.6
| Sep precipitation days = 9.8
| Oct precipitation days = 7.1
| Nov precipitation days = 7.1
| Dec precipitation days = 9.2
| year precipitation days = 115.1
| Jan humidity = 75.6
| Feb humidity = 73.0
| Mar humidity = 72.9
| Apr humidity = 73.4
| May humidity = 74.4
| Jun humidity = 76.4
| Jul humidity = 79.2
| Aug humidity = 79.4
| Sep humidity = 77.8
| Oct humidity = 74.9
| Nov humidity = 77.2
| Dec humidity = 76.9
| year humidity = 75.9
| Jan sun = 153.0
| Feb sun = 161.5
| Mar sun = 219.4
| Apr sun = 251.9
| May sun = 278.9
| Jun sun = 274.3
| Jul sun = 257.1
| Aug sun = 251.9
| Sep sun = 228.7
| Oct sun = 242.6
| Nov sun = 171.8
| Dec sun = 157.8
| Jan percentsun = 47
| Feb percentsun = 52
| Mar percentsun = 59
| Apr percentsun = 65
| May percentsun = 66
| Jun percentsun = 65
| Jul percentsun = 60
| Aug percentsun = 62
| Sep percentsun = 62
| Oct percentsun = 68
| Nov percentsun = 54
| Dec percentsun = 50
| year percentsun = 60
| source 1 = [[NOAA]] (relative humidity and sun 1961–1990){{efn|Sunshine normals are based on only 20 to 22 years of data.}}<ref name = "NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge, LA (LIX)">{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lix |title=NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=May 25, 2021 |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713174234/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lix |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "NOAA txt">{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00012916&format=pdf |title=Station: New Orleans INTL AP, LA |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |work=U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020) |access-date=May 25, 2021 |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204114448/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00012916&format=pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="WMO 1961–90 KMSY" >{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72231.TXT |title=WMO Climate Normals for NEW ORLEANS, LA 1961–1990 |access-date=March 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711103100/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72231.TXT |archive-date=2020-07-11 |url-status=dead |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration }}</ref>
| source = 
}}
{{Weather box
| location = [[Audubon Park, New Orleans]] (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
| single line = Y
| collapsed = Y
| Jan record high F = 84
| Feb record high F = 86
| Mar record high F = 91
| Apr record high F = 93
| May record high F = 99
| Jun record high F = 104
| Jul record high F = 102
| Aug record high F = 104
| Sep record high F = 101
| Oct record high F = 97
| Nov record high F = 92
| Dec record high F = 85
| year record high F = 104
| Jan high F = 64.3
| Feb high F = 68.4
| Mar high F = 74.5
| Apr high F = 80.9
| May high F = 87.9
| Jun high F = 92.5
| Jul high F = 93.9
| Aug high F = 94.0
| Sep high F = 90.1
| Oct high F = 82.6
| Nov high F = 72.9
| Dec high F = 66.4
| year high F = 80.7
| Jan mean F = 55.4
| Feb mean F = 59.4
| Mar mean F = 65.2
| Apr mean F = 71.4
| May mean F = 78.6
| Jun mean F = 83.7
| Jul mean F = 85.2
| Aug mean F = 85.5
| Sep mean F = 81.8
| Oct mean F = 73.6
| Nov mean F = 63.7
| Dec mean F = 57.7
| year mean F = 71.8
| Jan low F = 46.5
| Feb low F = 50.5
| Mar low F = 55.8
| Apr low F = 62.0
| May low F = 69.3
| Jun low F = 74.9
| Jul low F = 76.6
| Aug low F = 76.9
| Sep low F = 73.6
| Oct low F = 64.7
| Nov low F = 54.6
| Dec low F = 49.0
| year low F = 62.9
| Jan record low F = 13
| Feb record low F = 6
| Mar record low F = 26
| Apr record low F = 32
| May record low F = 46
| Jun record low F = 54
| Jul record low F = 61
| Aug record low F = 60
| Sep record low F = 49
| Oct record low F = 35
| Nov record low F = 26
| Dec record low F = 12
| year record low F = 6
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 4.95
| Feb precipitation inch = 4.14
| Mar precipitation inch = 4.60
| Apr precipitation inch = 4.99
| May precipitation inch = 5.39
| Jun precipitation inch = 7.37
| Jul precipitation inch = 8.77
| Aug precipitation inch = 6.80
| Sep precipitation inch = 5.72
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.58
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.78
| Dec precipitation inch = 4.51
| year precipitation inch = 64.60
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 9.8
| Feb precipitation days = 8.9
| Mar precipitation days = 7.5
| Apr precipitation days = 7.0
| May precipitation days = 7.4
| Jun precipitation days = 12.6
| Jul precipitation days = 15.1
| Aug precipitation days = 13.3
| Sep precipitation days = 10.0
| Oct precipitation days = 6.8
| Nov precipitation days = 7.3
| Dec precipitation days = 8.8
| year precipitation days = 114.5
| source 1 = NOAA<ref name = "NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge, LA (LIX)"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00012930&format=pdf |title=Station: New Orleans Audubon, LA |work=U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020) |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027190832/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00012930&format=pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| source = 
}}

===Threat from tropical cyclones===

[[File:Hurricanes Category 3 or greater within 100 miles of New Orleans.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Hurricanes of Category 3 or greater passing within 100 miles, from 1852 to 2005 ([[NOAA]])|alt=]]

[[Tropical cyclone|Hurricanes]] pose a severe threat to the area, and the city is particularly at risk due to its low elevation, the city being surrounded by water from the north, east, and south, and Louisiana's sinking coast.<ref name="Katrina">{{cite book |last=Tidwell |first=Mike |title=The Ravaging Tide: Strange Weather, Future Katrinas, and the Coming Death of America's Coastal Cities |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9cFajSK4cjIC |year=2006 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4165-3810-3 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110085307/https://books.google.com/books?id=9cFajSK4cjIC |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]], New Orleans is the nation's most vulnerable city to hurricanes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fema.gov/emergency/reports/2006/nat112006.shtm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703204951/http://www.fema.gov/emergency/reports/2006/nat112006.shtm |url-status=dead |title=Federal Emergency Management Agency |archive-date=July 3, 2012}}</ref> Indeed, portions of [[New Orleans metropolitan area|Greater New Orleans]] have been flooded by the [[Grand Isle Hurricane of 1909]],<ref name="ReferenceB">See [[Hurricane preparedness for New Orleans#Early 20th century hurricanes]]</ref> the [[New Orleans Hurricane of 1915]],<ref name="ReferenceB"/> [[1947 Fort Lauderdale Hurricane]],<ref name="ReferenceB"/> [[Hurricane Flossy]]<ref>See [[Hurricane preparedness for New Orleans#Late 20th century hurricanes]]</ref> in 1956, [[Hurricane Betsy]] in 1965, [[Hurricane Georges]] in 1998, Hurricanes [[Hurricane Katrina|Katrina]] and [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]] in 2005, [[Hurricane Gustav]] in 2008, [[Hurricane Isaac (2012)|Hurricane Isaac]] in 2012, [[Hurricane Zeta]] in 2020 (Zeta was also the most intense hurricane to pass over New Orleans) and [[Hurricane Ida]] in 2021. The flooding from Betsy was significant and in a few neighborhoods severe, and that from Katrina was disastrous for the majority of the city.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/us/13ike.html |title=Huge Storm Slams Into Coast of Texas |first1=James C. Jr. |last1=McKinley |first2=Ian |last2=Urbina |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 12, 2008 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-date=April 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412123248/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/us/13ike.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/24/rita.assess/index.html Rita's impact, city by city. Flooding and power outages plague Texas and Louisiana.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115115620/http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/24/rita.assess/index.html |date=November 15, 2007 }} CNN, September 24, 2005.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Weather Channel's Special Report: Vulnerable Cities – New Orleans, Louisiana |url=http://www.weather.com/newscenter/specialreports/hurricanes/vulnerablecities/neworleans.html |access-date=October 26, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427160836/http://www.weather.com/newscenter/specialreports/hurricanes/vulnerablecities/neworleans.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=April 27, 2006}}</ref>

On August 29, 2005, storm surge from Hurricane Katrina caused catastrophic failure of the [[Flood Control Act of 1965|federally designed and built]] levees, flooding 80% of the city.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050910190054/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/photogalleries/New_Orleans_flood/ "New Orleans People, Pets Flee Flood (photographs)"]}} ''National Geographic'', August 30, 2005.</ref><ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/08/30/katrina.neworleans/index.html Floodwaters, tensions rise in New Orleans.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218083246/http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/08/30/katrina.neworleans/index.html |date=December 18, 2008 }} CNN, August 31, 2005.</ref> A report by the American Society of Civil Engineers says that "had the levees and floodwalls not failed and had the pump stations operated, nearly two-thirds of the deaths would not have occurred".<ref name="ASCE"/>

New Orleans has always had to consider the risk of hurricanes, but the risks are dramatically greater today due to coastal erosion from human interference.<ref name="barry">{{cite web |url=http://johnmbarry.com/bio.htm |title=What You Need to Know About Katrina – and Don't – Why It Makes Economic Sense to Protect and Rebuild New Orleans |author=Barry, J.M. |access-date=December 11, 2007 |archive-date=January 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112075941/http://johnmbarry.com/bio.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Since the beginning of the 20th century, it has been estimated that Louisiana has lost {{convert|2000|sqmi|km2|-3}} of coast (including many of its barrier islands), which once protected New Orleans against storm surge. Following Hurricane Katrina, the Army Corps of Engineers has instituted massive levee repair and hurricane protection measures to protect the city.

In 2006, Louisiana voters overwhelmingly adopted an amendment to the state's constitution to dedicate all revenues from off-shore drilling to restore Louisiana's eroding coast line.<ref>[http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?articleID=2439&md=newsroom&tmp=detail President Bush signs OCS revenue sharing bill; Statement by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107163356/http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?articleID=2439&md=newsroom&tmp=detail |date=November 7, 2007 }} From: gov.louisiana.gov, December 20, 2006.</ref> U.S. Congress has allocated $7 billion to bolster New Orleans's flood protection.<ref>Walsh, B. [http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1192603358244350.xml&coll=1 Blanco, Nagin lobby for Louisiana aid.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701222201/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-2%2F1192603358244350.xml&coll=1 |date=July 1, 2009 }} ''The Times Picayune'', October 17, 2007.</ref>

According to a study by the [[National Academy of Engineering]] and the [[United States National Research Council|National Research Council]], levees and floodwalls surrounding New Orleans—no matter how large or sturdy—cannot provide absolute protection against overtopping or failure in extreme events. Rather, the city's levees and floodwalls should be viewed as a way to reduce risks from hurricanes and storm surges instead of eliminating those risks. For structures in hazardous areas and residents who do not relocate, the committee recommended major [[Flood mitigation#Protection of individual properties|floodproofing]] measures (such as elevating the first floor of buildings to at least the 100-year flood level).<ref>[http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=12647 "Levees Cannot Fully Eliminate Risk of Flooding to New Orleans"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428070859/http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=12647 |date=April 28, 2009 }} National Academy of Sciences, April 24, 2009</ref> Due to rising sea levels, most of New Orleans is at risk of being permanently underwater by the 2050s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nolan |first=Amber |date=2023-03-06 |title=Much of New Orleans Could Go Underwater by 2050, Due to Rising Sea Levels |url=https://www.greenmatters.com/weather-and-global-warming/new-orleans-underwater |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=Green Matters |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Demographics==

{{Historical population
|type= USA
|1769|3190
|1778|3060
|1791|5497
|1810|17242
|1820|27176
|1830|46082
|1840|102193
|1850|116375
|1860|168675
|1870|191418
|1880|216090
|1890|242039
|1900|287104
|1910|339075
|1920|387219
|1930|458762
|1940|494537
|1950|570445
|1960|627525
|1970|593471
|1980|557515
|1990|496938
|2000|484674
|2010|343829
|2020|383997
|2024 (est.)|362701
|source=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov//prod/www/decennial.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626105142/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |url-status=live }}</ref><br />Historical Population Figures<ref name="New Orleans 2010">"New Orleans' population estimate was low by 25,000, Census says", ''The Times-Picayune'', January 8, 2010.</ref><ref name=2014CensusEst>{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/counties/totals/2014/CO-EST2014-alldata.html |title=County Totals Datasets: Population Estimates |access-date=March 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403025836/https://www.census.gov/popest/data/counties/totals/2014/CO-EST2014-alldata.html |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov//population/www/documentation/twps0027.html |title=Population Of The 100 Largest Cities And Other Urban Places In The United States: 1790 To 1990 |first=Campbell |last=Gibson |publisher=Population Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census |date=June 1998 |access-date=May 2, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314031958/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html |archive-date=March 14, 2007}}</ref><ref name=PopEstCities>{{cite web |url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2018/PEPANNRSIP.US12A |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 50,000 or More, Ranked by July 1, 2018 Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division |access-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213005358/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2018/PEPANNRSIP.US12A |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="DinHarkins1996">{{cite book |author1=Gilbert C. Din |author2=John E. Harkins |title=New Orleans Cabildo: Colonial Louisiana's First City Government, 1769—1803 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B19VDaHvj64C&pg=PA6 |year=1996 |publisher=LSU Press |isbn=978-0-8071-2042-2 |page=6 |access-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110085323/https://books.google.com/books?id=B19VDaHvj64C&pg=PA6#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
1790–1960<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |title=Historical Census Browser |publisher=University of Virginia Library |access-date=August 20, 2014 |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov//population/cencounts/la190090.txt |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 20, 2014 |archive-date=September 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915215703/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/la190090.txt |url-status=live }}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov//population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 20, 2014 |archive-date=June 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626210306/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> 2010–2013<ref name="QF">{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22/22071.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731204406/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22/22071.html |archive-date=July 31, 2014}}</ref><br />2020 estimate<ref name="USCensusEst2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/technical-documentation/research/evaluation-estimates/2020-evaluation-estimates/2010s-cities-and-towns-total.html |title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates |access-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626070812/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/technical-documentation/research/evaluation-estimates/2020-evaluation-estimates/2010s-cities-and-towns-total.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|footnote=Population given for the City of New Orleans, not for Orleans Parish, before New Orleans absorbed suburbs and rural areas of Orleans Parish in 1874, since which time the city and parish have been coterminous.<br />Population for Orleans Parish was 41,351 in 1820; 49,826 in 1830; 102,193 in 1840; 119,460 in 1850; 174,491 in 1860; and 191,418 in 1870.
}}

From the [[2010 United States census|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 following the official decennial census.<ref name="2014CensusEst" /> According to the [[2020 United States census]], there were 383,997 people, 151,753 households, and 69,370 families residing in the city. Prior to 1960, the population of New Orleans steadily increased to a historic 627,525.

Beginning in 1960, the population decreased due to factors such as the cycles of oil production and tourism,<ref name="Hollander 2008">{{Cite web|first1=Justin B. |last1=Hollander|author1-link=Justin Hollander |first2=Karina |last2=Pallagast |first3=Terry |last3=Schwarz |first4=Frank J. |last4=Popper |title=Planning Shrinking Cities|date=January 2009|url=https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=f0643a12c8266fc0c4ed35806501efc14d0248ea|access-date=22 September 2024|website=CiteSeerX}}</ref><ref name="Frey 1987">{{Cite journal |volume=52 |issue=2 |pages=240–87 |last=William H. Frey |title=Migration and Depopulation of the Metropolis: Regional Restructuring or Rural Renaissance |journal=American Sociological Review |date=1987 |doi=10.2307/2095452 |jstor=2095452}}</ref> and as [[suburbanization]], diversity, and [[white flight]] increased (as with many U.S. cities),<ref name="Fussell 2007">{{Cite journal |volume=93 |issue=3 |pages=846–55 |last=[[Elizabeth Fussell]] |title=Constructing New Orleans, Constructing Race: A Population History of New Orleans |journal=The Journal of American History |date=2007 |doi=10.2307/25095147 |jstor=25095147}}</ref> and jobs migrated to surrounding parishes.<ref name="Katz 2006">{{Cite journal |last=Bruce Katz |title=Concentrated Poverty in New Orleans and Other American Cities |journal=Brookings |date=August 4, 2006}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Hope in the Midst of Despair – AHA |url=https://www.historians.org/perspectives-article/hope-in-the-midst-of-despair/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=American Historical Association |language=en-US |quote=When black migrants arrived in New Orleans after World War II and settled into the city’s notorious housing projects, shanties, and shotgun houses. The city’s white community fled to the surrounding suburbs of Chalmette, Arabi, Mereaux, Metarie, Kenner, Slidell, Mandeville, and Covington. The black presence in the city went from roughly 33% in 1940 to 43% by 1970. White flight out of the city led to disinvestment in economic development, jobs, housing, and education. The city’s power structure refused to listen to, let alone address, black issues, placing the city on a racial powder keg by 1960.}}</ref> This economic and population decline resulted in high levels of poverty in the city; in 1960 it had the fifth-highest poverty rate of all U.S. cities,<ref name="Spain 1979">{{Cite journal |volume=441 |issue=82 |last=Daphne Spain |title=Race Relations and the Residential Segregation in New Orleans: Two Centuries of Paradox |journal=The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science |date=January 1979}}</ref> and was almost twice the national average in 2005, at 24.5%.<ref name="Fussell 2007" /> New Orleans experienced an increase in [[residential segregation]] from 1900 to 1980, leaving the disproportionately Black and African American poor in older, low-lying locations.<ref name="Katz 2006" /><ref name=":6" /> These areas were especially susceptible to flood and storm damage.<ref name="Kates 2006">{{Cite journal |volume=103 |issue=40 |pages=14653–60 |last=R.W. Kates |author2=C.E. Colten |author3=S. Laska |author4=S.P. Leatherman |title=Reconstruction of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina: a research perspective |journal=PNAS |date=2006 |doi=10.1073/pnas.0605726103 |pmid=17003119 |pmc=1595407 |bibcode=2006PNAS..10314653K |doi-access=free}}</ref>

The last population estimate before Hurricane Katrina was 454,865, as of July 1, 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov//popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2005-01-22.xls |title=Population estimates by parish |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=March 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709154140/http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2005-01-22.xls |archive-date=July 9, 2009}}</ref> A population analysis released in August 2007 estimated the population to be 273,000, 60% of the pre-Katrina population and an increase of about 50,000 since July 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl080707jbpopulation.104a120f.html |title=Expert: N.O. population at 273,000 |date=August 7, 2007 |access-date=April 3, 2008 |publisher=wwltv.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226220005/http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl080707jbpopulation.104a120f.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=February 26, 2008}}</ref> A September 2007 report by The Greater New Orleans Community Data Center, which tracks population based on U.S. Postal Service figures, found that in August 2007, just over 137,000 households received mail. That compares with about 198,000 households in July 2005, representing about 70% of pre-Katrina population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl092707tppop.116cbaa40.html |title=Mail survey shows N.O. population at 69 percent of Pre-Katrina |publisher=wwltv.com |date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=April 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327040440/http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl092707tppop.116cbaa40.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=March 27, 2008}}</ref> In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau revised upward its 2008 population estimate for the city, to 336,644 inhabitants.<ref name="New Orleans 2010" /> Estimates from 2010 showed that neighborhoods that did not flood were near or even greater than 100% of their pre-Katrina populations.<ref name="ReferenceC">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/07/new_orleans_post-katrina_popul.html |title=New Orleans post-Katrina population still growing, but at slower rate |website=nola.com |date=July 2, 2010 |last=Donze |first=Frank |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620062915/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/07/new_orleans_post-katrina_popul.html |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |access-date=July 8, 2010}}</ref>

Katrina displaced 800,000 people, contributing significantly to the decline.<ref name="Nelson 2011">{{Cite journal |volume=26 |issue=2 |pages=129–46 |first1=Renia |last1=Ehrenfeucht |first2=Marla |last2=Nelson |title=Planning, Population Loss and Equity in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina |journal=Planning, Practice & Research |date=2011 |doi=10.1080/02697459.2011.560457 |s2cid=153893210}}</ref> Black and African Americans, renters, the elderly, and people with low income were disproportionately affected by Katrina, compared to affluent and White residents.<ref name="Nelson 2007">{{Cite journal |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=23–52 |first1=Marla |last1=Nelson |first2=Renioa |last2=Ehrenfeucht |first3=Shirley |last3=Laska |title=Planning, Plans and People: Professional Expertise, Local Knowledge, and Governmental Action in Post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans |journal=Cityscape |date=2007}}</ref><ref name="Morse 2008">{{Cite conference |publisher=Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Health Policy Institute |last=Reilly Morse |title=Environmental Justice through the Eye of Hurricane Katrina |location=Washington, D.C. |date=2008}}</ref> Those same groups also had the slowest growth rate in the city after Katrina primarily due to the rising cost of living, low performing public schools, and high crime in lower income neighborhoods.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wrno.iheart.com/content/2022-06-22-new-orleans-residents-talk-about-leaving-city-because-of-high-crime/ | title=New Orleans Residents Talk About Leaving City Because of High Crime }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=gentrification+new+orleans+black+population&mid=212A659F3BD761DE37E5212A659F3BD761DE37E5&FORM=VIRE | title=Gentrification new orleans black population - Search Videos }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/23/magazine/why-new-orleans-black-residents-are-still-under-water-after-katrina.html#:~:text=Now%20there%20are%20still%20100%2C000,restored%20a%20decade%20after%20Katrina | title=Why New Orleans's Black Residents Are Still Underwater After Katrina | work=The New York Times | date=August 18, 2015 | last1=Rivlin | first1=Gary }}</ref> In Katrina's aftermath, city government commissioned groups such as Bring New Orleans Back Commission, the New Orleans Neighborhood Rebuilding Plan, the Unified New Orleans Plan, and the Office of Recovery Management to contribute to plans addressing depopulation. Their ideas included shrinking the city's [[Ecological footprint|footprint]] from before the storm, incorporating community voices into development plans, and creating [[Urban open space|green spaces]],<ref name="Nelson 2007" /> some of which incited controversy.<ref name="Olshanski 2008">{{Cite journal |volume=74 |issue=3 |pages=273–87 |first1=Robery |last1=Olshansky |first2=Laurie A. |last2=Johnson |first3=Jedidiah |last3=Horne |first4=Brendan |last4=Nee |title=Longer View: Planning for the Rebuilding of New Orleans |journal=Journal of the American Planning Association |date=2008 |doi=10.1080/01944360802140835 |s2cid=153673624 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/995756 |access-date=April 20, 2018 |archive-date=May 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522163121/https://zenodo.org/record/995756 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Reardon 2008">{{Cite journal |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=57–76 |first1=Kenneth M. |last1=Reardon |first2=Heroiu |last2=Ionesu |first3=Andrew J. |last3=Rumbach |title=Equity Planning in Post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans: Lessons from te Ninth Ward |journal=Cityscape |date=2008}}</ref>

A 2006 study by researchers at [[Tulane University]] and the [[University of California, Berkeley]], determined that as many as 10,000 to 14,000 [[illegal immigration|undocumented immigrants]], many from [[Mexico]], resided in New Orleans.<ref name="undoc">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/08/us/nationalspecial/08workers.html |title=Study Sees Increase in Illegal Hispanic Workers in New Orleans |date=June 8, 2006 |access-date=March 31, 2008 |work=The New York Times |first=Leslie |last=Eaton |archive-date=December 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224114046/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/08/us/nationalspecial/08workers.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, the [[Pew Research Center]] estimated at least 35,000 undocumented immigrants lived in New Orleans and its metropolitan area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metro area U.S. unauthorized immigrant population estimates, 2016 and 2007 |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/interactives/unauthorized-immigrants-by-metro-area-table/ |access-date=2021-07-17 |website=Pew Research Center's Hispanic Trends Project |date=March 11, 2019 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717003736/https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/interactives/unauthorized-immigrants-by-metro-area-table/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[New Orleans Police Department]] began a new policy to "no longer cooperate with federal immigration enforcement" beginning on February 28, 2016.<ref>Robert McClendon, [https://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/03/sanctuary_city_immigration_new.html 'Sanctuary city' policy puts an end to NOPD's immigration enforcement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107143900/https://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/03/sanctuary_city_immigration_new.html |date=November 7, 2018 }}, ''NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune'' (March 1, 2016).</ref>

{{As of|2010}}, 90.3% of residents age five and older spoke English at home as a [[primary language]], while 4.8% spoke Spanish, 1.9% Vietnamese, and 1.1% spoke French. In total, 9.7% population age five and older spoke a [[mother language]] other than English.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mla.org/cgi-shl/docstudio/docs.pl?map_data_results |title=Orleans County |publisher=[[Modern Language Association]] |access-date=August 7, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815140430/http://www.mla.org/cgi-shl/docstudio/docs.pl?map_data_results |archive-date=August 15, 2013}}</ref>

=== Race and ethnicity ===
{{see also|Hondurans in New Orleans|Italians in New Orleans|Vietnamese in New Orleans}}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Historic racial and ethnic composition
!2020<ref name=":5" />!! 2010<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22/2255000.html |title=New Orleans (city), Louisiana |website=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102053100/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22/2255000.html |archive-date=January 2, 2016}}</ref>!! 1990<ref name="census1">{{cite web |title=Louisiana – Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=https://www.census.gov//population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |access-date=April 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812191959/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archive-date=August 12, 2012}}</ref>!! 1970<ref name="census1" /> !! 1940<ref name="census1" />
|-
| [[White American|White]]
|n/a|| 33.0% || 34.9% || 54.5% || 69.7%
|-
| —[[Non-Hispanic whites|Non-Hispanic]]
|31.61%|| 30.5% || 33.1% ||  50.6%{{efn|name="fifteen"|From 15% sample}} || n/a
|-
| [[African American|Black or African American]]
|53.61%|| 60.2% ||   61.9% ||  45.0% || 30.1%
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race)
|8.08%|| 5.2% || 3.5% || 4.4%{{efn|name="fifteen"}} || n/a
|-
| [[Asian American|Asian]]
|2.75%|| 2.9% ||  1.9% || 0.2% || 0.1%
|-
|Pacific Islander
|0.03%
|n/a
|n/a
|n/a
|n/a
|-
|Two or more races
|3.71%
|1.7%
|n/a
|n/a
|n/a
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Orleans Parish, Louisiana  – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 1980<ref name=1980Census>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Louisiana - Table 14 - Persons by Race and Table 15 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 20/12-20/20)|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_laABC-02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|page=}}</ref>
!Pop 1990<ref name=1990Census>{{Cite web|title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Louisiana - Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-2/cp-2-20-1.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|pages=15–38}}</ref>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web |title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Orleans Parish, Louisiana |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?q=p004&g=050XX00US22071&tid |website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902145223/https://data.census.gov/table?q=p004&g=050XX00US22071&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004 |url-status=live }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web |title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Orleans Parish, Louisiana |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US22071&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902145223/https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US22071&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web |title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Orleans Parish, Louisiana |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US22071&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902145223/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US22071&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
!% 1980
!% 1990
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|224,694
|164,526
|128,971
|104,770
|style='background: #ffffe6; |121,385
|40.30%
|33.11%
|26.59%
|30.47%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |31.61%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|304,673
|305,047
|323,392
|204,866
|style='background: #ffffe6; |205,876
|54.65%
|61.39%
|66.72%
|59.58%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |53.61%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|524
|660
|852
|827
|style='background: #ffffe6; |761
|0.09%
|0.13%
|0.18%
|0.24%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.20%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|7,332
|8,955
|10,919
|9,883
|style='background: #ffffe6; |10,573
|1.32%
|1.80%
|2.25%
|2.87%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.75%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref>
|x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref>
|88
|105
|style='background: #ffffe6; |125
|x
|x
|0.02%
|0.03%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.03%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|1,066
|512
|961
|967
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,075
|0.19%
|0.10%
|0.20%
|0.28%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.54%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref>
|x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref>
|4,765
|4,360
|style='background: #ffffe6; |12,185
|x
|x
|0.98%
|1.27%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.17%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|19,226
|17,238
|14,826
|18,051
|style='background: #ffffe6; |31,017
|3.45%
|3.47%
|3.06%
|5.25%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |8.08%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''557,515'''
|'''496,938'''
|'''484,674'''
|'''343,829'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''373,977'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

[[File:Ethnic Origins in New Orleans.png|thumb|Ethnic origins in New Orleans (2020)]]Growing into a predominantly Black and African-American city by race and ethnicity since 1990,<ref name="census1" /> in 2010 the racial and ethnic makeup of New Orleans was 60.2% Black and African American, 33.0% [[White Americans|White]], 2.9% [[Asian Americans|Asian]] (1.7% Vietnamese, 0.3% Indian, 0.3% Chinese, 0.1% Filipino, 0.1% Korean), 0.0% [[Pacific Islander American|Pacific Islander]], and 1.7% people of [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_QTPL&prodType=table |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520164400/http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_QTPL&prodType=table |url-status=dead |title=American FactFinder – Results |author=((U.S. Census Bureau))|archive-date=May 20, 2011 |website=factfinder.census.gov}}</ref> People of [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino American]] origin made up 5.3% of the population; 1.3% were Mexican, 1.3% Honduran, 0.4% Cuban, 0.3% Puerto Rican, and 0.3% Nicaraguan.

In 2020, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 53.61% Black or African American, 31.61% [[non-Hispanic white]], 0.2% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]], 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.71% multiracial or of another race, and 8.08% Hispanic and Latino American of any race.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=2020 Racial and Ethnic Statistics |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US2255000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=2022-01-04 |website=U.S. Census Bureau |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219011140/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US2255000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |url-status=live }}</ref> The growth of the Hispanic and Latino population in New Orleans proper from 2010 to 2020 reflected national demographic trends of diversification throughout regions once predominantly non-Hispanic white.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Latinos account for over half of the country's population growth |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/latinos-account-half-countrys-population-growth-rcna1667 |access-date=2022-02-13 |website=NBC News |date=August 13, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117012248/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/latinos-account-half-countrys-population-growth-rcna1667 |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, 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.<ref>Jessica Williams. (12 December 2021). "Census 2020: Who lives in the New Orleans metro now? Data show more diverse population". [https://www.nola.com/news/census-2020-who-lives-in-the-new-orleans-metro-now-data-show-more-diverse-population/article_391789a2-fb9a-11eb-a125-1bf5db471b82.html nola.com website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209012132/https://www.nola.com/news/census-2020-who-lives-in-the-new-orleans-metro-now-data-show-more-diverse-population/article_391789a2-fb9a-11eb-a125-1bf5db471b82.html |date=December 9, 2022 }} Retrieved 8 December 2022.</ref> Out of [[List of parishes in Louisiana|Louisiana's 64 parishes]], it is [[List of U.S. communities with African-American majority populations in 2020#Counties|one of six that have an African-American majority]] as of the 2020 census.

{{As of|2011}}, the Hispanic and Latino American population had also grown in the Greater New Orleans area alongside Black and African American residents, including in [[Kenner, Louisiana|Kenner]], central [[Metairie, Louisiana|Metairie]], and [[Terrytown, Louisiana|Terrytown]] in Jefferson Parish and Eastern New Orleans and Mid-City in New Orleans proper.<ref name="HispboomKENNER">"{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110618025537/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/06/hispanic_population_booms_in_k.html Hispanic population booms in Kenner and elsewhere in New Orleans area]}}" ({{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150828183230/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/06/hispanic_population_booms_in_k.html Archive]}}). ''[[The Times-Picayune]]''. June 15, 2011. Retrieved on September 7, 2015.</ref> [[Janet Murguía]], president and chief executive officer of the [[UnidosUS]], stated that up to 120,000 Hispanic and Latino Americans workers lived in New Orleans. In June 2007, one study stated that the Hispanic and Latino American population had risen from 15,000, pre-Katrina, to over 50,000.<ref>Moreno Gonzales, J. [https://www.theguardian.com/worldlatest/story/0,,-6752697,00.html Katrina Brought a Wave of Hispanics.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110085306/https://www.theguardian.com/world |date=January 10, 2024 }} ''Guardian Unlimited'', July 2, 2007.</ref>
 
After Katrina the small [[Brazilian Americans|Brazilian American]] population expanded. Portuguese speakers were the second most numerous group to take [[English as a second language]] classes in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, after Spanish speakers. Many Brazilians worked in skilled trades such as tile and flooring, although fewer worked as day laborers than other Hispanic and Latino Americans. Many had moved from Brazilian communities in the [[northeastern United States]], and Florida and Georgia. Brazilians settled throughout the metropolitan area; most were undocumented. In January 2008, the New Orleans Brazilian population had a mid-range estimate of 3,000 people. By 2008, Brazilians had opened many small churches, shops and restaurants catering to their community.<ref>Nolan, Bruce. "[http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/New-Orleans-now-home-to-thousands-of-Brazilians-1590764.php New Orleans now home to thousands of Brazilians]" ({{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150925150521/http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/New-Orleans-now-home-to-thousands-of-Brazilians-1590764.php Archive]}}). ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Sunday January 27, 2008. Retrieved on September 6, 2015.</ref>

Among the growing [[Asian Americans|Asian American]] community, the earliest [[Filipino Americans]] to live within the city arrived in the early 1800s.<ref>{{cite book |first=Floro L. |last=Mercene |title=Manila Men in the New World: Filipino Migration to Mexico and the Americas from the Sixteenth Century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OSqhZphG_gQC&pg=PA107 |year=2007 |publisher=UP Press |isbn=978-971-542-529-2 |pages=107–08 |access-date=August 26, 2018 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110085306/https://books.google.com/books?id=OSqhZphG_gQC&pg=PA107#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> The Vietnamese American community grew to become the largest by 2010 as many fled the aftermath of the [[Vietnam War]] in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hiltner |first=Stephen |date=2018-05-05 |title=Vietnamese Forged a Community in New Orleans. Now It May Be Fading. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/05/us/vietnamese-forged-a-community-in-new-orleans-now-it-may-be-fading.html |access-date=2021-07-17 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717003735/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/05/us/vietnamese-forged-a-community-in-new-orleans-now-it-may-be-fading.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Sexual orientation and gender identity ===
{{See also|LGBTQ rights in Louisiana}}

[[File:Bourbon Pub & Parade - We stand in pride with Pulse Nightclub - New Orleans Pride Parade 2016 (27762662225).jpg|thumb|2016 New Orleans Pride]]
New Orleans and its metropolitan area have historically been popular destinations for [[LGBT|lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender]] communities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LGBT Travellers in New Orleans, USA |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-orleans/narratives/practical-information/directory/lgbt-travellers |access-date=2021-07-17 |website=Lonely Planet |language=en |archive-date=July 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717003738/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-orleans/narratives/practical-information/directory/lgbt-travellers |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Gay History |url=https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/lgbt/history/ |access-date=2021-07-17 |website=www.neworleans.com |archive-date=July 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717003737/https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/lgbt/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, a [[Gallup (company)|Gallup]] survey determined New Orleans was one of the largest cities in the American South with a significant LGBT population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Survey data shows New Orleans in top 10 of metro areas with gay population |url=https://www.nola.com/news/article_53f7957e-a126-5ae1-866a-a5ceffb59488.html |access-date=2021-07-17 |website=NOLA.com |date=March 21, 2015 |language=en |archive-date=July 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717003737/https://www.nola.com/news/article_53f7957e-a126-5ae1-866a-a5ceffb59488.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Leonhardt |first1=David |last2=Miller |first2=Claire Cain |date=2015-03-20 |title=The Metro Areas With the Largest, and Smallest, Gay Populations |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/21/upshot/the-metro-areas-with-the-largest-and-smallest-gay-population.html |access-date=2021-07-17 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708143407/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/21/upshot/the-metro-areas-with-the-largest-and-smallest-gay-population.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Much of the LGBT community in New Orleans lives near the Central Business District, Mid-City, and Uptown; several gay bars and nightclubs are present in those areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=10 LGBTQ Bars to Check Out in New Orleans, the Most 'Anything Goes' City in America |url=https://www.thrillist.com/drink/new-orleans/best-gay-lgbtq-bars-new-orleans |access-date=2021-07-17 |website=Thrillist |date=June 19, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512005306/https://www.thrillist.com/drink/new-orleans/best-gay-lgbtq-bars-new-orleans |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Religion===
[[File:Stlouiscathedralnight.jpg|thumb|[[St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans|Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis, King of France]]]]
[[File:BethIsraelCarondeletFrontA.JPG|thumb|Beth Israel synagogue building on Carondelet Street]]
New Orleans's colonial history of French and Spanish settlement generated a strong [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] tradition. Catholic missions ministered to slaves and free people of color and established schools for them. In addition, many late 19th and early 20th century European immigrants, such as the Irish, some Germans, and Italians were Catholic. Within the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans]] (which includes not only the city but the surrounding parishes as well), 40% percent of the population was Roman Catholic since 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Orleans Archdiocese (Catholic-Hierarchy) |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dnewo.html#stats |access-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-date=February 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206103615/http://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dnewo.html#stats |url-status=live }}</ref> Catholicism is reflected in French and Spanish cultural traditions, including its many [[parochial schools]], street names, architecture and festivals, including [[New Orleans Mardi Gras|Mardi Gras]]. Within the city and metropolitan area, [[Black Catholicism|Catholicism]] is also reflected in the Black and African cultural traditions with Gospel mass.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parishes |url=https://nolacatholic.org/parishes-1 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Archdiocese of New Orleans |language=en |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211050530/https://nolacatholic.org/parishes-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The statue of [[Our Lady of Prompt Succor]] is a notable symbol of the Catholic faith in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana.

Influenced by the [[Bible Belt]]'s prominent [[Protestantism|Protestant]] population, New Orleans also has a sizable non-Catholic Christian demographic. Roughly the majority of Protestant Christians were [[Baptists|Baptist]], and the city proper's largest non-Catholic bodies were the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], the [[National Missionary Baptist Convention of America]], [[Nondenominational Christianity|non-denominationals]], the [[National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.|National Baptist Convention]], the [[United Methodist Church]], the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]], the [[African Methodist Episcopal Church]], the [[National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc.|National Baptist Convention of America]], and the [[Church of God in Christ]] according to the [[Association of Religion Data Archives]] in 2020.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |title=Maps and data files for 2020 {{!}} U.S. Religion Census {{!}} Religious Statistics & Demographics |url=https://www.usreligioncensus.org/index.php/node/1639 |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=U.S. Religion Census |publisher=Association of Religion Data Archives |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115001940/https://www.usreligioncensus.org/index.php/node/1639 |url-status=live }}</ref>

New Orleans displays a distinctive variety of [[Louisiana Voodoo]], due in part to [[syncretism]] with African and Afro-Caribbean Roman Catholic beliefs. The fame of voodoo practitioner [[Marie Laveau]] contributed to this, as did New Orleans's Caribbean cultural influences.<ref>New Orleans, "now under the flag of the United States, is still very much a Caribbean city...." {{cite web |title=The Pearl of the Antilles and the Crescent City: Historic Maps of the Caribbean in the Latin American Library Map Collections |website=Latin American Library, Tulane University |url=http://lal.tulane.edu/mapsexib2.html |access-date=January 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208220708/http://lal.tulane.edu/mapsexib2.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=December 8, 2006}}
</ref><ref>New Orleans is described as "a Caribbean city, an exuberant, semi-tropical city, perhaps the most hedonistic city in the United States". {{cite web |title=Apple's America |author=R.W. Apple Jr. |format=quoted on ePodunk.com |url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/allProp.php?localID=3502&tpropID=quote&sec=0 |access-date=January 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013161854/http://epodunk.com/cgi-bin/allProp.php?localID=3502&tpropID=quote&sec=0 |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BostonGlobeNorthernmost">New Orleans "is often called the northernmost Caribbean city". {{cite news |first=John R. |last=Kemp |url=http://www.boston.com/globe/search/stories/books/books97/christopher_benfey.htm |title=When the painter met the Creoles |work=The Boston Globe |page=G3 |date=November 30, 1997 |access-date=January 4, 2007 |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112052826/http://www.boston.com/globe/search/stories/books/books97/christopher_benfey.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the tourism industry strongly associated Voodoo with the city, only a small number of people are serious adherents.
[[File:Dog Park at NOLA City Park - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Popp Fountain in City Park, a meeting place for The Religious Order of Witchcraft]]
New Orleans was also home to the occultist [[Mary Oneida Toups]], who was nicknamed the "Witch Queen of New Orleans". Toups' coven, The Religious Order of Witchcraft, was the first coven to be officially recognized as a religious institution by the state of Louisiana.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-12-05 |title=The High Priestess of the French Quarter |url=https://64parishes.org/high-priestess-french-quarter |access-date=2020-11-18 |website=64 Parishes |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125130305/https://64parishes.org/high-priestess-french-quarter |url-status=live }}</ref> They would meet at Popp Fountain in [[City Park (New Orleans)|City Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gonola.com/things-to-do-in-new-orleans/history/popps-fountain-in-city-park|title=GoNOLA Find: Popp's Fountain in City Park|date=July 5, 2014|website=GoNOLA.com|access-date=February 27, 2024|archive-date=June 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616213534/https://gonola.com/things-to-do-in-new-orleans/history/popps-fountain-in-city-park|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jewish settlers, primarily [[Sephardim]], settled in New Orleans from the early nineteenth century. Some migrated from the communities established in the colonial years in [[Charleston, South Carolina]], and [[Savannah, Georgia]]. The merchant [[Abraham Cohen Labatt]] helped found the first Jewish congregation in New Orleans in the 1830s, which became known as the [[Spanish and Portuguese Jews|Portuguese Jewish]] Nefutzot Yehudah congregation (he and some other members were [[Sephardic Jews]], whose ancestors had lived in Portugal and Spain). [[Ashkenazi Jews]] from eastern Europe immigrated in the late 19th and 20th centuries.

By the beginning of the 21st century, 10,000 [[Jew]]s lived in New Orleans. This number dropped to 7,000 after Hurricane Katrina, but rose again after efforts to incentivize the community's growth resulted in the arrival of about an additional 2,000 Jews.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Jewish Community of New Orleans |url=https://dbs.bh.org.il/place/new-orleans |website=Beit Hatfutsot Open Databases Project |publisher=The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot |access-date=July 19, 2018 |archive-date=July 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719114106/https://dbs.bh.org.il/place/new-orleans |url-status=dead}}</ref> New Orleans synagogues lost members, but most re-opened in their original locations. The exception was [[Congregation Beth Israel (New Orleans)|Congregation Beth Israel]], the oldest and most prominent [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] synagogue in the New Orleans region. Beth Israel's building in Lakeview was destroyed by flooding. After seven years of holding services in temporary quarters, the congregation consecrated a new synagogue on land purchased from the [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] Congregation Gates of Prayer in [[Metairie, Louisiana|Metairie]].<ref name="Beth_Israel_7_years">{{cite news |last1=Nolan |first1=Bruce |title=Congregation Beth Israel ends 7 years of Hurricane Katrina-induced wandering |url=http://www.nola.com/religion/index.ssf/2012/08/congregation_beth_israel_will.html |access-date=July 2, 2014 |newspaper=The Times-Picayune |date=August 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714222042/http://www.nola.com/religion/index.ssf/2012/08/congregation_beth_israel_will.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

A visible religious minority,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Killion |first=Aubry |date=2019-03-15 |title=Members of the New Orleans Islamic community on high alert |url=https://www.wdsu.com/article/members-of-the-new-orleans-islamic-community-on-high-alert/26840939 |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=WDSU |language=en |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101033521/https://www.wdsu.com/article/members-of-the-new-orleans-islamic-community-on-high-alert/26840939 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Krewe: New Orleans' hidden community |url=https://www.vianolavie.org/2020/01/07/krewe-new-orleans-hidden-community/ |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=ViaNolaVie |language=en-us |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026212342/https://www.vianolavie.org/2020/01/07/krewe-new-orleans-hidden-community/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Muslims]] constituted 0.6% of the religious population as of 2019 according to [[Sperling's BestPlaces]].<ref name=":4">{{cite web |title=New Orleans, Louisiana Religion |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/louisiana/new_orleans |access-date=March 21, 2019 |website=bestplaces.net |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321155839/https://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/louisiana/new_orleans |url-status=live }}</ref> The Association of Religion Data Archives in 2020 estimated that there were 6,150 Muslims in the city proper. The Islamic demographic in New Orleans and its metropolitan area have been mainly made up of Middle Eastern immigrants and [[African-American Muslims|African Americans]].

==Economy==
[[File:Tanker IVER SPRING on Mississippi River in New Orleans.jpeg|thumb|right|A [[tank ship|tanker]] on the Mississippi River in New Orleans]]
[[File:Intracoastal Waterway Louisiana.jpg|thumb|[[Intracoastal Waterway]] near New Orleans]]
New Orleans operates [[Port of New Orleans|one of the world's largest and busiest ports]] and metropolitan New Orleans is a center of maritime industry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ports of South Louisiana, New Orleans & Plaquemines Ranked #1, #4 & #11 in America {{!}} Greater New Orleans, Inc. |url=https://gnoinc.org/news/awards-rankings/ports-of-south-louisiana-new-orleans-plaquemines-ranked-1-4-11-in-america/ |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=gnoinc.org |date=July 11, 2018 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031102953/https://gnoinc.org/news/awards-rankings/ports-of-south-louisiana-new-orleans-plaquemines-ranked-1-4-11-in-america/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The region accounts for a significant portion of the nation's [[oil refinery|oil refining]] and [[Petrochemical|petrochemical production]], and serves as a [[white-collar worker|white-collar]] corporate base for onshore and offshore [[extraction of petroleum|petroleum]] and [[natural gas]] production. Since the beginning of the 21st century, New Orleans has also grown into a technology hub.<ref>{{Cite news |title=A Wary New Orleans Braces for a New Tech Boom |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-10/new-orleans-tries-to-build-a-better-tech-boom |access-date=2021-07-31 |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=May 10, 2021 |archive-date=November 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129091706/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-10/new-orleans-tries-to-build-a-better-tech-boom |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New Orleans remaking itself into tech hub: report |url=https://www.nola.com/news/business/article_c35eebf9-910f-5ab4-b7b7-359222d800b0.html |access-date=2021-07-31 |website=NOLA.com |date=November 22, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731130233/https://www.nola.com/news/business/article_c35eebf9-910f-5ab4-b7b7-359222d800b0.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

New Orleans is also a center for [[higher learning]], with over 50,000 students enrolled in the region's eleven two- and four-year degree-granting institutions. [[Tulane University]], a top-50 research university, is located in Uptown. Metropolitan New Orleans is a major regional hub for the [[health care industry]] and boasts a small, globally competitive manufacturing sector. The center city possesses a rapidly growing, entrepreneurial [[creative industries]] sector and is renowned for its [[cultural tourism]]. Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gnoinc.org/ |title=Greater New Orleans, Inc. &#124; Regional Economic Alliance |publisher=Gnoinc.org |access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406100523/http://gnoinc.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> acts as the first point-of-contact for regional economic development, coordinating between Louisiana's Department of Economic Development and the various business development agencies.

===Port===
New Orleans began as a strategically located trading ''[[entrepôt]]'' and it remains, above all, a crucial transportation hub and distribution center for waterborne commerce. The [[Port of New Orleans]] is the fifth-largest in the United States based on cargo volume, and second-largest in the state after the [[Port of South Louisiana]]. It is the twelfth-largest in the U.S. based on cargo value. The Port of South Louisiana, also located in the New Orleans area, is the world's busiest in terms of bulk tonnage. When combined with Port of New Orleans, it forms the 4th-largest port system in volume. Many shipbuilding, shipping, logistics, freight forwarding and commodity brokerage firms either are based in metropolitan New Orleans or maintain a local presence. Examples include [[Intermarine]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=INTERMARINE- Ocean Carrier – Built on Performance |url=https://www.intermarine.com/ |access-date=2021-07-31 |website=Intermarine |language=en-US |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731130236/https://www.intermarine.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bisso Towboat,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bisso Towboat |url=https://www.bissotowing.com/ |access-date=2021-07-31 |archive-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727134357/https://www.bissotowing.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Northrop Grumman Ship Systems]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northrop Grumman Gulf Coast Shipyards Return to Work |url=https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-gulf-coast-shipyards-return-to-work |access-date=2021-07-31 |website=Northrop Grumman Newsroom |language=en |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731130234/https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-gulf-coast-shipyards-return-to-work |url-status=live }}</ref> Trinity Yachts, [[Expeditors International]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.expeditors.com/locations |access-date=2021-07-31 |website=www.expeditors.com |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731130235/https://www.expeditors.com/locations |url-status=live }}</ref> Bollinger Shipyards, IMTT, International Coffee Corp, Boasso America, Transoceanic Shipping, Transportation Consultants Inc., Dupuy Storage & Forwarding and Silocaf.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Silocaf USA LLC |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0918882D:US |access-date=2021-07-31 |website=Bloomberg |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830221237/https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0918882D:US |url-status=live }}</ref> The largest coffee-roasting plant in the world, operated by [[Folgers]], is located in [[Eastern New Orleans|New Orleans East]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Where We Roast – Folger Coffee Company {{!}} Folgers Coffee |url=https://www.folgerscoffee.com/our-story/where-we-roast |access-date=2021-07-31 |website=www.folgerscoffee.com |language=en |archive-date=August 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801110020/https://www.folgerscoffee.com/our-story/where-we-roast |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Crescent City Coffee Connection: History and Heritage Imbues Each Cup |url=http://www.frenchquarter.com/crescent-city-coffee-connection/ |access-date=2021-07-31 |website=FrenchQuarter.com |language=en-US |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731130235/http://www.frenchquarter.com/crescent-city-coffee-connection/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Boats on the Mississippi (2965404740).jpg|alt=|thumb|The steamboat [[Natchez (boat)|''Natchez'']] operates out of New Orleans.]]

New Orleans is located near to the [[Gulf of Mexico]] and its many oil rigs. Louisiana ranks fifth among states in oil production and eighth in [[oil reserves|reserves]]. It has two of the four [[Strategic Petroleum Reserve (United States)|Strategic Petroleum Reserve]] (SPR) storage facilities: West Hackberry in [[Cameron Parish, Louisiana|Cameron Parish]] and Bayou Choctaw in [[Iberville Parish, Louisiana|Iberville Parish]]. The area hosts 17 petroleum refineries, with a combined crude oil distillation capacity of nearly {{convert|2.8|Moilbbl/d|m3/d}}, the second highest after Texas. Louisiana's numerous ports include the [[Louisiana Offshore Oil Port]] (LOOP), which is capable of receiving the largest oil tankers. Given the quantity of oil imports, Louisiana is home to many major pipelines: [[Petroleum|Crude Oil]] ([[Exxon]], [[Chevron Corporation|Chevron]], [[BP]], [[Texaco]], [[Shell Oil Company|Shell]], Scurloch-Permian, Mid-Valley, Calumet, [[Conoco Inc.|Conoco]], [[Koch Inc.]], [[Unocal Corporation|Unocal]], [[United States Department of Energy|U.S. Dept. of Energy]], Locap); Product ([[TEPPCO Partners]], Colonial, Plantation, Explorer, Texaco, Collins); and [[Liquefied petroleum gas|Liquefied Petroleum Gas]] (Dixie, TEPPCO, Black Lake, Koch, Chevron, [[Dynegy]], [[Kinder Morgan Energy Partners]], [[Dow Chemical Company]], Bridgeline, FMP, Tejas, Texaco, UTP).<ref>[http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=LA Louisiana Quick Facts.] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206050811/http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=LA |date=February 6, 2011 }} U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration. Retrieved November 12, 2007.</ref> Several energy companies have regional headquarters in the area, including [[Shell plc]], [[Eni]] and Chevron. Other energy producers and [[Oilfield services|oilfield services companies]] are headquartered in the city or region, and the sector supports a large professional services base of specialized engineering and design firms, as well as a term office for the federal government's [[Minerals Management Service]].

===Business===
The city is the home to a single [[Fortune 500]] company: [[Entergy]], a power generation utility and [[nuclear power plant]] operations specialist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fortune 500 2011: States: Louisiana Companies - FORTUNE on CNNMoney.com |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2011/states/LA.html |access-date=2021-07-31 |website=money.cnn.com |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731123655/https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2011/states/LA.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After Katrina, the city lost its other Fortune 500 company, [[Freeport-McMoRan]], when it merged its copper and gold exploration unit with an Arizona company and relocated that division to [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]. Its McMoRan Exploration affiliate remains headquartered in New Orleans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=McMoRan Exploration shareholders approve plan to merge with Freeport-McMoran |url=https://www.nola.com/news/business/article_c14b2d5b-9e5b-56b5-bd29-579b2bc405bb.html |access-date=2021-07-31 |website=NOLA.com |date=June 4, 2013 |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207204329/https://www.nola.com/news/business/article_c14b2d5b-9e5b-56b5-bd29-579b2bc405bb.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Companies with significant operations or headquarters in New Orleans include: Pan American Life Insurance, Pool Corp, [[Rolls-Royce plc|Rolls-Royce]], Newpark Resources, [[AT&T Inc.|AT&T]], TurboSquid, iSeatz, [[IBM]], Navtech, [[Superior Energy Services]], [[Textron Marine & Land Systems]], [[McDermott International]], Pellerin Milnor, [[Lockheed Martin]], Imperial Trading, Laitram, [[Harrah's Entertainment]], Stewart Enterprises, [[Edison Chouest Offshore]], [[Zatarain's]], Waldemar S. Nelson & Co., [[Whitney National Bank]], [[Capital One]], [[Tidewater (marine services)|Tidewater Marine]], [[Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits]], [[Parsons Brinckerhoff]], [[MWH Global]], [[CH2M Hill]], Energy Partners Ltd, The Receivables Exchange, [[GE Capital]], and [[Smoothie King]].

Entrepreneurship is encouraged, with a number of initiatives designed to support small business and start-ups, including [[Entrepreneurs' Row]] and the New Orleans Startup Fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gnoinc.org/business-climate/initiatives/startup-fund|title=New Orleans Startup Fund|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121014425/https://gnoinc.org/business-climate/initiatives/startup-fund/|archive-date=2021-01-21}}</ref>

===Tourist and convention business===
Tourism is a staple of the city's economy. Perhaps more visible than any other sector, New Orleans's tourist and convention industry is a $5.5 billion industry that accounts for 40 percent of city tax revenues. In 2004, the hospitality industry employed 85,000 people, making it the city's top economic sector as measured by employment.<ref name="0607marketing"/> New Orleans also hosts the World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF). The forum, held annually at the [[New Orleans Morial Convention Center]], is directed toward promoting cultural and economic development opportunities through the strategic convening of cultural ambassadors and leaders from around the world. The first WCEF took place in October 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcefculture.com |title=World Cultural Economic Forumn |access-date=July 15, 2008 |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314073218/http://wcefculture.com/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Federal and military agencies===
[[File:Aerial View of NASA's Rocket Factory.png|thumb|Aerial view of NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility]]
Federal agencies and the Armed forces operate significant facilities there. The [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit|U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals]] operates at the US. Courthouse downtown. [[NASA]]'s [[Michoud Assembly Facility]] is located in [[Eastern New Orleans|New Orleans East]] and has multiple tenants including [[Lockheed Martin]] and [[Boeing]]. It is a huge manufacturing complex that produced the external fuel tanks for the [[Space Shuttle]]s, the [[Saturn V]] first stage, the [[Integrated Truss Structure]] of the [[International Space Station]], and is now used for the construction of NASA's [[Space Launch System]]. The rocket factory lies within the enormous New Orleans Regional Business Park, also home to the [[National Finance Center]], operated by the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA), and the Crescent Crown distribution center. Other large governmental installations include the U.S. Navy's [[Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command|Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Command]], located within the University of New Orleans Research and Technology Park in [[Gentilly, New Orleans|Gentilly]], [[Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans]]; and the headquarters for the Marine Force Reserves in Federal City in [[Algiers, New Orleans|Algiers]].

==Culture and contemporary life==
{{Main|Culture of New Orleans}}

===Tourism===
{{see also|Culture of New Orleans#Museums and other attractions}}New Orleans has many visitor attractions, from the world-renowned French Quarter to [[St. Charles Avenue]], (home of Tulane and Loyola universities, the historic [[Pontchartrain Hotel]] and many 19th-century mansions) to [[Magazine Street]] with its boutique stores and antique shops.
[[File:French Quarter03 New Orleans.JPG|alt=|thumb|[[French Quarter]] in 2009]]
[[File:New-Orleans-Street-Artist-1988-205.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.05|[[Street artist]] in the French Quarter (1988)]]

According to current travel guides, New Orleans is one of the top ten most-visited cities in the United States; 10.1 million visitors came to New Orleans in 2004.<ref name="0607marketing">{{cite web |url=http://www.crt.state.la.us/downloads/Appendix_E.pdf |title=2006–07 Marketing Plan |publisher=Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism |access-date=March 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409095933/http://www.crt.state.la.us/downloads/Appendix_E.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=April 9, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/f-2001-45-561/index.html? |title=Overseas visitors to select U.S. cities/Hawaiian Islands 2001–2000 |publisher=U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries |access-date=November 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070917122511/http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/f-2001-45-561/index.html |archive-date=September 17, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to Katrina, 265 hotels with 38,338 rooms operated in the Greater New Orleans Area. In May 2007, that had declined to some 140 hotels and motels with over 31,000 rooms.<ref name="New Orleans' Recovery as of May 2007">{{Cite web |url=https://www.neworleans.com/press-media/press-releases/ |title=New Orleans Media Information &#124; Press Releases |website=www.neworleans.com |access-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904104805/https://www.neworleans.com/press-media/press-releases/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

A 2009 ''[[Travel + Leisure]]'' poll of "America's Favorite Cities" ranked New Orleans first in ten categories, the most first-place rankings of the 30 cities included. According to the poll, New Orleans was the best U.S. city as a spring break destination and for "wild weekends", stylish boutique hotels, cocktail hours, singles/bar scenes, live music/concerts and bands, antique and vintage shops, cafés/coffee bars, neighborhood restaurants, and [[people watching]]. The city ranked second for: friendliness (behind [[Charleston, South Carolina]]), [[gay]]-friendliness (behind San Francisco), [[bed and breakfast]] hotels/inns, and ethnic food. However, the city placed near the bottom in cleanliness, safety and as a family destination.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.travelandleisure.com/afc/2009 |title=America's Favorite Cities |magazine=Travel + Leisure |date=June 10, 2010 |access-date=June 30, 2010 |archive-date=July 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701051016/http://www.travelandleisure.com/afc/2009 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.nola.com/tpmoney/2007/10/travel_leisure_says_new_orlean.html |title=Travel + Leisure says New Orleans is tops for live music, cocktails and cheap eats |access-date=October 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117211911/http://blog.nola.com/tpmoney/2007/10/travel_leisure_says_new_orlean.html |archive-date=January 17, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The French Quarter (known locally as "the Quarter" or ''Vieux Carré''), which was the colonial-era city and is bounded by the Mississippi River, Rampart Street, [[Canal Street, New Orleans|Canal Street]], and [[Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans|Esplanade Avenue]], contains popular hotels, bars and nightclubs. Notable tourist attractions in the Quarter include Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the [[French Market]] (including [[Café du Monde]], famous for [[café au lait]] and [[beignet]]s) and [[Preservation Hall]]. Also in the French Quarter is the old [[New Orleans Mint]], a former branch of the [[United States Mint]] which now operates as a museum, and [[The Historic New Orleans Collection]], a museum and research center housing art and artifacts relating to the [[history of New Orleans|history]] and the [[Gulf South]].

Close to the Quarter is the [[Tremé]] community, which contains the [[New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park]] and the [[New Orleans African American Museum]]—a site which is listed on the [[Louisiana African American Heritage Trail]].

The ''[[Natchez (boat)|Natchez]]'' is an authentic [[steamboat]] with a [[Calliope (music)|calliope]] that cruises the length of the city twice daily. Unlike most other places in the United States, New Orleans has become widely known for its [[elegant decay]]. The city's [[Historic Cemeteries of New Orleans|historic cemeteries]] and their distinct above-ground [[tomb]]s are attractions in themselves, the oldest and most famous of which, [[Saint Louis Cemetery]], greatly resembles [[Père Lachaise Cemetery]] in Paris.

[[File:NOMAReopeningDayDelgadoFascade.jpg|thumb|upright=1.05|right|The [[New Orleans Museum of Art]] (NOMA) located in [[City Park, New Orleans|City Park]]]]
[[The National WWII Museum]] offers a multi-building odyssey through the history of the Pacific and European theaters. Nearby, [[Confederate Memorial Hall Museum]], the oldest continually operating museum in Louisiana (although under renovation since Hurricane Katrina), contains the second-largest collection of [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] memorabilia. Art museums include the [[Contemporary Arts Center (New Orleans)|Contemporary Arts Center]], the [[New Orleans Museum of Art]] (NOMA) in [[City Park (New Orleans)|City Park]], and the [[Ogden Museum of Southern Art]].

New Orleans is home to the [[Audubon Nature Institute]] (which consists of [[Audubon Park (New Orleans)|Audubon Park]], the [[Audubon Zoo]], the [[Aquarium of the Americas]] and the [[Audubon Insectarium]]), and home to gardens which include [[Longue Vue House and Gardens]] and the [[New Orleans Botanical Garden]]. City Park, one of the country's most expansive and visited [[urban park]]s, has one of the largest stands of [[Southern live oak|oak trees]] in the world.

Other points of interest can be found in the surrounding areas. Many wetlands are found nearby, including [[Honey Island Swamp]] and [[Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve#Barataria Preserve|Barataria Preserve]]. [[Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve#Chalmette unit|Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery]], located just south of the city, is the site of the 1815 [[Battle of New Orleans]].

===Entertainment and performing arts===
{{Main|Music of New Orleans}}
[[File:MardiGrasCanalStreet1890sChartresGazebo.jpg|thumb|left|[[New Orleans Mardi Gras]] in the early 1890s]]
[[File:ToHorses.jpg|thumb|left|Mounted [[krewe]] officers in the Thoth Parade during [[Mardi Gras]]]]

The New Orleans area is home to numerous annual celebrations. The most well known is [[Carnival]], or [[New Orleans Mardi Gras|Mardi Gras]]. Carnival officially begins on the [[Epiphany (holiday)|Feast of the Epiphany]], also known in some Christian traditions as the "[[Twelfth Night (holiday)|Twelfth Night]]" of Christmas. ''Mardi Gras'' (French for "Fat Tuesday"), the final and grandest day of traditional Catholic festivities, is the last Tuesday before the [[Christianity|Christian]] liturgical season of [[Lent]], which commences on [[Ash Wednesday]].

The largest of the city's many music festivals is the [[New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival]]. Commonly referred to simply as "Jazz Fest", it is one of the nation's largest music festivals. The festival features a variety of music, including both native Louisiana and international artists. Along with Jazz Fest, New Orleans's [[Voodoo Experience]] ("Voodoo Fest") and the [[Essence Music Festival]] also feature local and international artists.

Other major festivals include [[Southern Decadence]], the French Quarter Festival, and the [[Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival]]. The American playwright lived and wrote in New Orleans early in his career, and set his play, ''[[Streetcar Named Desire]],'' there.
[[File:Louis Prima crop.jpg|thumb|[[Louis Prima]]; a famous New Orleans [[jazz]], [[swing music]], and [[jump blues]], musician. ]]
In 2002, Louisiana began offering tax incentives for film and television production. This has resulted in a substantial increase in activity and brought the nickname of "Hollywood South" for New Orleans. Films produced in and around the city include ''[[Ray (film)|Ray]]'', ''[[Runaway Jury]]'', ''[[The Pelican Brief (film)|The Pelican Brief]]'', ''[[Glory Road (film)|Glory Road]]'', ''[[All the King's Men (2006 film)|All the King's Men]]'', ''[[Deja Vu (2006 film)|Déjà Vu]]'', ''[[Last Holiday (2006 film)|Last Holiday]]'', ''[[The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film)|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button]]'', ''[[12 Years a Slave (film)|12 Years a Slave]]'', and ''[[Project Power]]''. In 2006, work began on the Louisiana Film & Television studio complex, based in the [[Tremé]] neighborhood.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lafilm.org/media/index.cfm?id=835 |title=Treme film studio work begins |access-date=October 31, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505082455/http://www.lafilm.org/media/index.cfm?id=835 |archive-date=May 5, 2008}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwltv.com/topstories/stories/wwl072007.html |title=Blanco okays Broadway South tax credit program |access-date=March 23, 2007}}{{dead link |date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
[[File:Louis Armstrong in Color (restored).jpg|thumb|[[Louis Armstrong]], famous New Orleans [[jazz]] musician]]
The first theatre in New Orleans was the French-language [[Theatre de la Rue Saint Pierre]], which opened in 1792. The first opera in New Orleans was performed there in 1796. In the nineteenth century, the city was the home of two of America's most important venues for [[French opera]], the [[Théâtre d'Orléans]] and later the [[French Opera House]]. Today, opera is performed by the [[New Orleans Opera]]. The [[Marigny Opera House]] is home to the Marigny Opera Ballet and also hosts opera, jazz, and classical music performances.

[[File:Frank Ocean.jpg|thumb|[[Frank Ocean]] is a musician from New Orleans.]]

New Orleans has long been a significant center for music, showcasing its intertwined European, African and Latino American cultures. The city's unique musical heritage was born in its colonial and early American days from a unique blending of European musical instruments with African rhythms. As the only North American city to have allowed [[Slavery in the United States|slaves]] to gather in public and play their native music (largely in [[Congo Square]], now located within [[Louis Armstrong Park (New Orleans)|Louis Armstrong Park]]), New Orleans gave birth in the early 20th century to an epochal indigenous music: [[jazz]]. Soon, African American [[brass band]]s formed, beginning a century-long tradition. The Louis Armstrong Park area, near the French Quarter in Tremé, contains the [[New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park]]. The city's music was later also significantly influenced by [[Acadiana]], home of [[Cajun music|Cajun]] and [[Zydeco]] music, and by [[blues|Delta blues]].

New Orleans's unique musical culture is on display in its traditional funerals. A spin on military funerals, New Orleans's traditional funerals feature sad music (mostly [[dirge]]s and [[hymn]]s) in processions on the way to the cemetery and happier music (hot jazz) on the way back. Until the 1990s, most locals preferred to call these "funerals with music". Visitors to the city have long dubbed them "[[jazz funeral]]s".

Much later in its musical development, New Orleans was home to a distinctive brand of [[rhythm and blues]] that contributed greatly to the growth of [[rock and roll]]. An example of the New Orleans's sound in the 1960s is the No. 1 U.S. hit "[[Chapel of Love]]" by [[the Dixie Cups]], a song which knocked [[the Beatles]] out of the top spot on the [[Billboard Hot 100]]. New Orleans became a hotbed for [[funk]] music in the 1960s and 1970s, and by the late 1980s, it had developed its own localized variant of [[hip hop music|hip hop]], called [[bounce music]]. While not commercially successful outside of the [[Deep South]], bounce music was immensely popular in poorer neighborhoods throughout the 1990s.

A cousin of bounce, [[southern hip hop|New Orleans hip hop]] achieved commercial success locally and internationally, producing [[Lil Wayne]], [[Master P]], [[Birdman (rapper)|Birdman]], [[Juvenile (rapper)|Juvenile]], [[Suicideboys]], [[Cash Money Records]] and [[No Limit Records]]. Additionally, the popularity of [[cowpunk]], a fast form of [[southern rock]], originated with the help of several local bands, such as [[The Radiators (US)|The Radiators]], [[Better Than Ezra]], [[Cowboy Mouth]] and [[Dash Rip Rock]]. Throughout the 1990s, many [[sludge metal]] bands started. New Orleans's [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] bands such as [[Eyehategod]],<ref name="AMG-Eyehategod">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic |class=artist |id=p38682/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Eyehategod |author=Huey, Steve |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=June 22, 2008}}</ref> [[Soilent Green]],<ref name="AMG-SoilentGreen">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p206627/biography |title=Soilent Green |author=York, William |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=June 22, 2008 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110085307/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/soilent-green-mn0000754513#biography |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Crowbar (US band)|Crowbar]],<ref name="AMG-Crowbar">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p12635/biography |title=Crowbar |author=Huey, Steve |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=June 22, 2008 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110085413/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/crowbar-mn0000109421#biography |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Down (band)|Down]] incorporated styles such as [[hardcore punk]],<ref name="AMG-Down">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p168208/biography |title=Down |author=Prato, Greg |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 22, 2008 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110085414/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/down-mn0000169189#biography |url-status=live }}</ref> [[doom metal]], and southern rock to create an original and heady brew of swampy and aggravated metal that has largely avoided standardization.<ref name="AMG-Eyehategod"/><ref name="AMG-SoilentGreen"/><ref name="AMG-Crowbar"/><ref name="AMG-Down"/>

New Orleans is the southern terminus of the famed [[U.S. Route 61|Highway 61]], made musically famous by musician [[Bob Dylan]] in his song, "[[Highway 61 Revisited]]".

===Cuisine===
[[File:Steamship Bienville on-board restaurant menu (April 7, 1861).jpg|thumb|Steamship ''Bienville'' on-board restaurant menu (April 7, 1861)]]
{{Main|Cuisine of New Orleans|Louisiana Creole cuisine|Cajun cuisine}}
New Orleans is world-famous for its cuisine. The indigenous cuisine is distinctive and influential. New Orleans food combined local Creole, haute Creole and New Orleans French cuisines. Local ingredients, French, Spanish, Italian, African, Native American, Cajun, Chinese, and a hint of Cuban traditions combine to produce a truly unique and easily recognizable New Orleans flavor.

New Orleans is known for specialties including [[beignet]]s (locally pronounced like "ben-yays"), square-shaped fried dough that could be called "French doughnuts" (served with ''[[café au lait]]'' made with a blend of coffee and chicory rather than only coffee); and [[po' boy]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.neworleans.com/restaurants/traditional-new-orleans-foods/po-boys/ |title=New Orleans Po-Boy |website=www.neworleans.com |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630222519/https://www.neworleans.com/restaurants/traditional-new-orleans-foods/po-boys/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Italian [[muffuletta]] sandwiches; Gulf oysters on the half-shell, fried oysters, boiled [[crayfish|crawfish]] and other [[seafood]]; [[étouffée]], [[jambalaya]], [[gumbo]] and other Creole dishes; and the Monday favorite of [[red beans and rice]] ([[Louis Armstrong]] often signed his letters, "Red beans and ricely yours"). Another New Orleans specialty is the [[pralin]]e {{IPAc-en|local|ˈ|p|r|ɑː|l|iː|n}}, a candy made with brown sugar, granulated sugar, cream, butter, and pecans. The city offers notable street food<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nyfjournal.com/2012/03/new-orleans-street-foods-snacks-sandwiches-po-boys-oysters-muffulettas-beignets-pralines/ |title=New Orleans Street Foods, Snacks, & Sandwiches: Po' Boys, Oysters, Muffulettas, Beignets, Pralines |date=March 16, 2012 |website=New York Food Journal |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630222518/http://www.nyfjournal.com/2012/03/new-orleans-street-foods-snacks-sandwiches-po-boys-oysters-muffulettas-beignets-pralines/ |url-status=live }}</ref> including the Asian inspired beef [[Yaka mein]].

===Dialect===
{{main|New Orleans English}}
{{see also|Culture of New Orleans#Language}}[[File:Cafe du Monde New Orleans.jpg|thumb|[[Café du Monde]], a landmark New Orleans beignet cafe established in 1862]]New Orleans developed a distinctive local dialect that is neither [[Cajun English]] nor the stereotypical [[Southern American English|Southern accent]] that is often misportrayed by film and television actors. Like earlier Southern Englishes, it features frequent [[Rhotic and non-rhotic accents|deletion of the pre-consonantal "r"]], though the local white dialect also came to be quite similar to [[New York accent]]s.<ref>Liebling, A. J. (1970). ''The Earl of Louisiana''. Baton Rouge: LSU.</ref> No consensus describes how this happened, but it likely resulted from New Orleans's geographic isolation by water and the fact that the city was a major immigration port throughout the 19th century and early 20th century. Specifically, many members of European immigrant families originally raised in the cities of the Northeast, namely New York, moved to New Orleans during this time frame, bringing their Northeastern accents along with their [[Irish American|Irish]], [[Italian American|Italian]] (especially [[Sicilian American|Sicilian]]), [[German American|German]], and [[Jewish American|Jewish]] culture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishnola.com/page.html?ArticleID=165388 |title=Newcomers' Incentive Extension |publisher=Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans |access-date=March 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524200300/http://www.jewishnola.com/page.html?ArticleID=165388 |archive-date=May 24, 2008}}</ref>

One of the strongest varieties of the New Orleans accent is sometimes identified as the [[Yat dialect]], from the greeting "Where y'at?" This distinctive accent is dying out in the city, but remains strong in the surrounding parishes.

Less visibly, various ethnic groups throughout the area have retained distinct language traditions. The French-speaking community has had a cultural center, the [[Alliance Française of New Orleans]], since 1984.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Strachan |first=Sue |date=April 3, 2014 |title=L'Alliance Francaise de la Nouvelle-Orleans has Un Voyage Extraordinaire for its 30th anniversary gala |language=en |work=NOLA.com |url=https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/society/lalliance-francaise-de-la-nouvelle-orleans-has-un-voyage-extraordinaire-for-its-30th-anniversary-gala/article_eb80338a-3950-5fde-b945-4966dd9ad39d.html}}</ref> The association is a chapter of the international [[Alliance Française]] organization and promotes French language and culture in New Orleans and the surrounding region. Since Louisiana became the first U.S. state to join the {{Lang|fr|[[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, as seen in new organizations such as the Nous Foundation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hasselle |first=Della |date=October 13, 2018 |title=Louisiana Joins International Organization of French-speaking Governments |language=en |work=NOLA.com |url=https://www.nola.com/news/article_302082ef-9b0e-59de-8583-4e320c5c792a.html |access-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726110030/https://www.nola.com/news/article_302082ef-9b0e-59de-8583-4e320c5c792a.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Although rare, [[Louisiana French]] and [[Louisiana Creole]] are still spoken in the city. There is also Louisiana-Canarian Spanish dialect, the [[Isleño Spanish]], spoken by the [[Isleño]] people and older members of the population.

==Sports==
{{Main|Sports in New Orleans}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Club
!Sport
!League
!Venue (capacity)
!Founded
!Titles
!Record attendance
|-
| [[New Orleans Saints]]
| [[American football]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[National Football League|NFL]]
| [[Caesars Superdome]] (73,208)
| align=center | 1967
| align=center | 1
| align=center | 73,373
|-
| [[New Orleans Pelicans]]
| [[Basketball]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
| [[Smoothie King Center]] (16,867)
| align=center | 2002
| align=center | 0
| align=center | 18,444
|-
| [[New Orleans Jesters]]
| [[Soccer]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[National Premier Soccer League|NPSL]]
| [[Pan American Stadium (New Orleans)|Pan American Stadium]] (5,000)
| align=center | 2003
| align=center | 0
| align=center | 5,000
|-
|[[New Orleans Gold|NOLA Gold]]
|[[Rugby union|Rugby Union]]
| align=center | [[Major League Rugby|MLR]]
| align=center | [[Gold Mine on Airline|Goldmine on Airline]] (10,000)
| align=center | 2017
| align=center | 0
| align=center | 
|}

[[File:Fleur de lys (or).svg|right|upright=0.45|thumb|The [[fleur-de-lis]] is often a symbol of New Orleans and its sports teams.]]

New Orleans's professional sports teams include the 2009 [[Super Bowl XLIV]] champion [[New Orleans Saints]] ([[National Football League|NFL]]) and the [[New Orleans Pelicans]] ([[National Basketball Association|NBA]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans |title=The Official website of the New Orleans Pelicans |website=Pelicans.com |access-date=December 24, 2022 |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223202116/https://www.nba.com/pelicans |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/ |title=The Official website of the New Orleans Saints |website=neworleanssaints.com |publisher=[[New Orleans Saints]] |access-date=December 24, 2022 |archive-date=December 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224015339/http://www.neworleanssaints.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nola.com/voodoo/index.ssf/2010/09/the_new_orleans_voodoo_and_the.html |title=The New Orleans VooDoo and the Arena Football League are returning |access-date=September 15, 2010 |archive-date=September 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918075356/http://www.nola.com/voodoo/index.ssf/2010/09/the_new_orleans_voodoo_and_the.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also home to the [[Big Easy Rollergirls]], an all-female [[Women's Flat Track Derby Association|flat track roller derby]] team, and the [[New Orleans Blaze]], a [[National Women's Football Association|women's football]] team.<ref name="BlazeFootball">{{cite web |url=http://www.neworleansblaze.com/PRpdfs/HistoryoftheNewOrleansBlaze.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001171600/http://www.neworleansblaze.com/PRpdfs/HistoryoftheNewOrleansBlaze.pdf |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 1, 2008 |title=History of the New Orleans Blaze |access-date=September 27, 2008 |publisher=New Orleans Blaze |date=April 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name="BERG">{{cite web |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |url=http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=18963 |title=Big Easy Rollergirls deliver bruising derby action |access-date=September 27, 2008 |publisher=New Orleans CityBusiness |date=May 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622064720/http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=18963 |archive-date=June 22, 2007}}</ref> New Orleans is also home to two [[NCAA Division I]] athletic programs, the [[Tulane Green Wave]] of the [[American Athletic Conference]] and the [[UNO Privateers]] of the [[Southland Conference]].

The [[Caesars Superdome]] is the home of the Saints, the Sugar Bowl, and other prominent events. It has hosted the [[Super Bowl]] a record eight times ([[Super Bowl XII|1978]], [[Super Bowl XV|1981]], [[Super Bowl XX|1986]], [[Super Bowl XXIV|1990]], [[Super Bowl XXXI|1997]], [[Super Bowl XXXVI|2002]], [[Super Bowl XLVII|2013]], and [[Super Bowl LIX|2025]]). The [[Smoothie King Center]] is the home of the Pelicans, VooDoo, and many events that are not large enough to need the Superdome. New Orleans is also home to the [[Fair Grounds Race Course]], the nation's third-oldest thoroughbred track. The city's [[Lakefront Arena]] has also been home to sporting events.

Each year New Orleans plays host to the [[Sugar Bowl]], the [[New Orleans Bowl]], the [[Bayou Classic]], and the [[Zurich Classic of New Orleans|Zurich Classic]], a golf tournament on the [[PGA Tour]]. In addition, it has often hosted major sporting events that have no permanent home, such as the Super Bowl, [[ArenaBowl]], [[NBA All-Star Game]], [[BCS National Championship Game]], and the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA Final Four]]. The [[Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon]] and the [[Crescent City Classic]] are two annual [[road running]] events.

In 2017, [[Major League Rugby]] had its inaugural season, and [[New Orleans Gold|NOLA Gold]] were one of the first teams in the league.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NOLA Gold Rugby - Official Website |url=https://www.nolagoldrugby.com/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=NOLA Gold Rugby |language=en-US |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716150424/https://www.nolagoldrugby.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They play at the [[Gold Mine on Airline]], a former [[Minor League Baseball|minor league baseball]] stadium in the suburb of [[Metairie, Louisiana|Metairie]]. In 2022, a consortium started an attempt to bring professional [[Association football|soccer]] to New Orleans, hoping to place teams in the male [[USL Championship]] and women's [[USL Super League]] by 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |author=USLChampionship com Staff |date=2022-07-14 |title=Local group aims to bring USL club to New Orleans |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1232585-local-group-aims-to-bring-usl-club-to-new-orleans |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=USL Championship |language=en-us |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714142318/https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1232585-local-group-aims-to-bring-usl-club-to-new-orleans |url-status=live }}</ref>

==National protected areas==
* [[Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve]]
* [[New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park]]
* [[Vieux Carre Historic District]]

==Government==
{{See also|List of mayors of New Orleans}}

{{PresHead|place=Orleans Parish, Louisiana|source=<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |website=uselectionatlas.org |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=February 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222105145/http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|904|26,433|5,692|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|2,531|30,936|516|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|17,819|32,724|0|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|7,865|37,785|2,141|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|14,424|55,919|0|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|5,407|85,288|165|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|10,254|108,012|16|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|16,406|97,930|28|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|20,190|90,411|7|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|29,442|41,900|52,443|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|85,572|89,999|0|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|93,082|64,958|6,594|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|47,111|87,242|41,414|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|81,049|82,045|0|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|47,728|72,451|58,489|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|88,075|60,790|12,581|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|70,925|93,130|4,249|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|74,302|106,858|6,744|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|86,316|119,478|1,162|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|64,763|116,851|2,186|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|52,019|133,261|12,069|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|39,576|144,720|5,615|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|39,404|137,630|4,187|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|42,847|152,610|1,646|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|28,130|117,102|2,207|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|28,003|126,722|3,088|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|24,292|133,996|7,524|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|26,664|147,854|3,301|Louisiana}}
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|24,119|130,749|4,262|Louisiana}}
{{PresFoot}}

The city of New Orleans is a political subdivision of the U.S. state of Louisiana. The city and the [[List of parishes in Louisiana|parish]] of Orleans operate as a merged [[Consolidated city–county|city-parish government]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=https://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty. |url-status=live }}</ref> The original city was composed of what are now the 1st through 9th wards. The city of [[Faubourg Lafayette|Lafayette]] (including the Garden District) was added in 1852 as the 10th and 11th wards. In 1870, Jefferson City, including Faubourg Bouligny and much of the Audubon and University areas, was annexed as the 12th, 13th, and 14th wards. [[Algiers, New Orleans|Algiers]], on the west bank of the Mississippi, was also annexed in 1870, becoming the 15th ward.

New Orleans has a [[mayor-council government]], following a [[home rule]] charter adopted in 1954, as later amended. The [[city council]] consists of seven members, five elected from [[single-member districts]] and two members elected [[at-large]], that is, across the city-parish. [[LaToya Cantrell]] assumed the mayor's office in 2018 as the first female mayor of the city. An ordinance in 2006 established an [[New Orleans Office of Inspector General|Office of Inspector General]] to review city government activities.

New Orleans's government is largely centralized in the city council and mayor's office, but it maintains earlier systems from when various sections of the city managed their affairs separately. For example, New Orleans had seven elected tax assessors, each with their own staff, representing various districts of the city, rather than one centralized office. A constitutional amendment passed on November 7, 2006, consolidated the seven assessors into one in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/02/erroll_williams_elected_citywi.html |title=Erroll Williams Elected CityWide Tax Assessor |publisher=he Times-Picayune |access-date=July 6, 2010 |archive-date=February 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222073129/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/02/erroll_williams_elected_citywi.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The City of New Orleans, used [[Archon Information Systems]] software and services to host multiple online tax sales. The first tax sale was held after Hurricane Katrina.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-25/1195886633151680.xml&coll=1 |title=New Orleans to hold first online tax sale |access-date=December 3, 2021 |archive-date=December 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210085111/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-25/1195886633151680.xml&coll=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The New Orleans government operates both a [[New Orleans Fire Department|fire department]] and the [[New Orleans Emergency Medical Services]].

New Orleans is the only city in Louisiana that refuses to pay court-ordered judgments when it loses a case that were awarded to the other party.<ref>{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Ben |date=2021-11-29 |title='Insulting and disrespectful': city officials understate debt as unpaid judgment list keeps growing |url=https://www.nola.com/news/politics/article_704b8d7c-4f0c-11ec-8fae-e78f523d632e.html |work=NOLA.com |location= |access-date=July 31, 2022 |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801024543/https://www.nola.com/news/politics/article_704b8d7c-4f0c-11ec-8fae-e78f523d632e.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The city uses a provision in the Louisiana Constitution that prohibits the seizure of a city's property to pay a judgment when it loses a lawsuit. According to an article, "The constitution says the funds can't be seized and can only be paid out if the government appropriates the money. In other words, if the City of New Orleans doesn't budget the funds for judgments, no judge can force the city to pay."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zurik |first1=Lee |last2=Sauer |first2=Dannah |date=2022-07-28 |title=ZURIK: New Orleans' refusal to pay judgments leaves victims suffering |url=https://www.fox8live.com/2022/07/28/zurik-new-orleans-refusal-pay-judgments-leaves-victims-suffering/ |work=Fox 8 News WVUE |access-date=2013-10-17 |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801042537/https://www.fox8live.com/2022/07/28/zurik-new-orleans-refusal-pay-judgments-leaves-victims-suffering/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Only if the city council chooses to vote to pay a judgment can the other party be paid. Since the city cannot be forced to pay judgments unless it chooses to do so, it simply does not pay. More than $36 million in over 500 unpaid judgments issued against the city are simply ignored, some going as far back as 1996.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeKmmAdadio |title=City Refuses to Pay Judgments and Nothing Happens |last=Lehto |first=Steve |publisher= |date=Jul 31, 2022 |website=[[YouTube.com]] |access-date=July 31, 2022 |archive-date=July 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731204003/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeKmmAdadio |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Orleans Parish Civil Sheriff's Office [[Service of process|serves]] papers involving lawsuits, provides court security, and operates the city's correctional facilities, including [[Orleans Parish Prison]]. The sheriff's office shares legal jurisdiction with the [[New Orleans Police Department]] and provides it with backup on an as-needed basis. Before 2010, New Orleans (and all other parishes in Louisiana) had separate criminal and civil sheriff's offices, corresponding to the separate criminal and civil courts: these were merged in 2010 by Louisiana Revised Statute 33:1500.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=410598 |title=Louisiana Law Search |website=Legis.la.gov |access-date=2021-05-05 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019014255/http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=410598 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{As of|2024}} the sheriff is [[Susan Hutson]], who defeated 17-year incumbent Marlin Gusman in the 2021 New Orleans City Election.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_New_Orleans,_Louisiana_(2021) |title=City elections in New Orleans, Louisiana (2021) |access-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019014254/https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_New_Orleans,_Louisiana_(2021) |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office {{!}} Sheriff Susan Hutson |url=https://www.opso.us/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=www.opso.us |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001140335/https://opso.us/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Crime==
{{See also|New Orleans Police Department|Culture of New Orleans#Crime|}}
New Orleans is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the nation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fox8live.com/2025/10/30/new-orleans-ranked-1-baton-rouge-3-among-most-dangerous-us-cities-2025/ |title=New Orleans ranked No. 1, Baton Rouge No. 3 among most dangerous U.S. cities in 2025 |work=[[WVUE-DT|Fox 8 News]] |date=October 29, 2025 |access-date=October 31, 2025}}</ref> As in comparable U.S. cities, the incidence of homicide and other violent crimes is usually highly concentrated in certain lower income neighborhoods.<ref name="ritea">{{Cite news |first1=S. |last1=Ritea |first2=T. |last2=Young. |url=http://www.nola.com/speced/cycleofdeath/index.ssf?%2Fspeced%2Fcycleofdeath%2Fviolence.html |title=Violence thrives on lack of jobs, wealth of drugs |newspaper=The Times-Picayune |date=February 8, 2004 |access-date=January 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117063352/http://www.nola.com/speced/cycleofdeath/index.ssf?%2Fspeced%2Fcycleofdeath%2Fviolence.html |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |url-status=dead }} [http://www.nola.com/speced/cycleofdeath/pdf/02080405.pdf PDF] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524011132/http://www.nola.com/speced/cycleofdeath/pdf/02080405.pdf |date=May 24, 2006 }}</ref> Arrested offenders in New Orleans are almost exclusively black males from [[impoverished|lower income neighborhoods]]: in 2011, 97% were black and 95% were male; 91% of victims were black as well.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://modiphy.dnsconnect.net/~nolaipm/main/uploads/File/All/BJA_report_on_crime.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201193540/http://modiphy.dnsconnect.net/~nolaipm/main/uploads/File/All/BJA_report_on_crime.pdf |url-status=dead |title=''Crime in New Orleans: analyzing crime trends and New Orleans' responses to crime'', Charles Wellford, Ph.D., Brenda J. Bond, Ph.D., Sean Goodison |archive-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref> The city's murder rate has been historically high and consistently among the highest rates nationwide since the 1970s. From 1994 to 2013, New Orleans was the country's "Murder Capital", annually averaging over 200 murders.<ref name="slightly fewer">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nola.com/news/crime_police/article_4dd8e4ae-6cb4-5e10-8683-e0e95e6bb7c5.html |title=Murders in New Orleans were slightly fewer in 2012 than in 2011 |website=NOLA.com |date=January 2013 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308141934/https://www.nola.com/news/crime_police/article_4dd8e4ae-6cb4-5e10-8683-e0e95e6bb7c5.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The first record was broken in 1979 when the city reached 242 homicides.<ref name="slightly fewer"/> The record was broken again reaching 250 by 1989 to 345 by the end of 1991.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/03/nyregion/preliminary-1991-figures-show-drop-in-homicides.html |title=Preliminary 1991 Figures Show Drop in Homicides |first=Lee A. |last=Daniels |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 3, 1992 |access-date=February 10, 2018 |archive-date=January 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116033701/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/03/nyregion/preliminary-1991-figures-show-drop-in-homicides.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/03/01/us/new-orleans-murder/index.html |title=Fed up, New Orleans looks to shake Murder City title |first=Eliott C. |last=McLaughlin |website=CNN |date=March 2012 |access-date=February 8, 2018 |archive-date=February 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209002823/https://www.cnn.com/2012/03/01/us/new-orleans-murder/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By 1993, New Orleans had 395 murders: 80.5 for every 100,000 residents.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-05-05-9405050255-story.html |title=Crime-Rate Drop Can't Hide Danger |author1=William Recktenwald |author2=Patrick T. Reardon |website=Chicago Tribune |date=May 5, 1994 |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630234336/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-05-05-9405050255-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1994, the city was officially named the "Murder Capital of America", hitting a historic peak of 424 murders. The murder count was one of the highest in the world and surpassed that of such cities as [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]], Indiana, [[Washington D.C.|Washington, D.C.]], and [[Baltimore]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-07-mn-43234-story.html |title=Police now the usual suspects in New Orleans: Officers have been tied to killings, including serial slayings. Yet the department has helped slash the murder rate |first=JESSE |last=KATZ |date=September 7, 1995 |via=Los Angeles Times |access-date=April 10, 2017 |archive-date=February 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214181240/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-09-07/news/mn-43234_1_police-department |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19960506/2327755/us-murder-rate-down-8-percent-in-1995-fbi-says----third--steepest-drop-in-30-some-years-offset-by-fears-over-rising-teen-violence |title=Business &#124; U.S. Murder Rate Down 8 Percent In 1995, FBI Says – Third-Steepest Drop In 30-Some Years Offset By Fears Over Rising Teen Violence |website=community.seattletimes.nwsource.com |access-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219210654/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19960506&slug=2327755 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="nbcnews.com">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna8999837 |title=New Orleans murder rate on the rise again |date=August 18, 2005 |website=MSNBC |access-date=January 12, 2018 |archive-date=July 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718053903/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8999837/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/new-orleans-murder-rate-rise-again/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-12-29-9612280336-story.html |title=BIG TROUBLE IN BIG EASY: VIOLENT CRIMES ARE RISING |first=E. A. TORRIERO Staff WriterStaff Writer Kathy Bushouse contributed to this |last=report |website=Sun-Sentinel |date=December 29, 1996 |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630222522/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-12-29-9612280336-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, the city's murder rate dropped down to a low of 158 and climbed to the high 200s in the early 2000s. 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://donsnotes.com/reference/murders_us_2003.html |title=Large Cities with Highest Murder Rate |website=donsnotes.com |access-date=August 26, 2018 |archive-date=January 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108152755/http://donsnotes.com/reference/murders_us_2003.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/10/us/nationalspecial/new-orleans-crime-swept-away-with-most-of-the-people.html |title=New Orleans Crime Swept Away, With Most of the People |first=Adam |last=Nossiter |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 10, 2005 |access-date=January 29, 2018 |archive-date=January 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113035652/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/10/us/nationalspecial/new-orleans-crime-swept-away-with-most-of-the-people.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nola.com/crime/2014/08/murders_down_in_first_half_of.html |title=New Orleans murders down in first half of 2014, but summer's death toll climbing |first=Ken |last=Daley |date=August 21, 2014 |newspaper=nola.com |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630222521/https://www.nola.com/crime/2014/08/murders_down_in_first_half_of.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="nbcnews.com"/>

In 2006, with nearly half the population gone and widespread disruption and dislocation because of deaths and refugee relocations from [[Hurricane Katrina]], the city hit another record of homicides. It was ranked as the most dangerous city in the country.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/nov/06/usa |title=New Orleans murder rate for year will set record |first=Ethan |last=Brown |newspaper=The Guardian |date=November 6, 2007 |via=www.theguardian.com |access-date=May 1, 2018 |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501160836/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/nov/06/usa |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/murder-rates-up-in-many-major-u-s-cities-in-2006 |title=Murder Rates Up in Many Major U.S. Cities in 2006 |date=March 25, 2015 |website=Associated Press |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630222517/https://www.foxnews.com/story/murder-rates-up-in-many-major-u-s-cities-in-2006 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/police_chief_calls_new_orleans.html |title=Police chief calls New Orleans top murder rank misleading |work=The Times-Picayune |date=June 3, 2009 |access-date=February 21, 2010 |archive-date=August 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808200002/http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/police_chief_calls_new_orleans.html |url-status=live }}</ref> in the United States, at between 55 and 64 per 100,000 residents.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/despite_drop_in_crime_new_orle.html |title=Despite drop in crime, New Orleans' murder rate continues to lead nation |work=The Times-Picayune |date=June 1, 2009 |access-date=February 21, 2010 |archive-date=February 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227065238/http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/despite_drop_in_crime_new_orle.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2010, New Orleans's homicide rate dropped to 49.1 per 100,000, but increased again in 2012, to 53.2,<ref>[https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/tables/table-8/10tbl08la.xls Louisiana Offenses Known to Law Enforcement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016090433/https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/tables/table-8/10tbl08la.xls |date=October 16, 2015 }} FBI. Retrieved August 10, 2012</ref> the highest rate among cities of 250,000 population or larger.<ref>[http://www.ucrdatatool.gov/ Uniform Crime Reporting Tool] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703191609/http://www.ucrdatatool.gov/ |date=July 3, 2013 }} FBI. Retrieved August 10, 2012.</ref>

The violent crime rate is a key issue in every modern mayoral race. In January 2007, several thousand New Orleans residents marched to City Hall for a rally demanding police and city leaders tackle the crime problem. Then-Mayor [[Ray Nagin]] said he was "totally and solely focused" on addressing the problem. Later, the city implemented checkpoints during late night hours in problem areas.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/01/new_orleans_mayoral_candidates_10.html |title=New Orleans mayoral candidates can agree: Crime is critical issue |work=The Times-Picayune |date=January 29, 2009 |access-date=February 21, 2010 |archive-date=March 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304211211/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/01/new_orleans_mayoral_candidates_10.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The murder rate climbed 14% in 2011 to 57.88 per 100,000<ref>{{cite web |first=Laura |last=Maggi |url=http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/01/new_orleans_homicides_jump_by.html |title=New Orleans homicides jump by 14 percent in 2011 |website=[[The Times-Picayune]] |date=January 1, 2012 |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411193948/http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/01/new_orleans_homicides_jump_by.html |url-status=live }}</ref> rising to No. 21 in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seguridadjusticiaypaz.org.mx/sala-de-prensa/541-san-pedro-sula-la-ciudad-mas-violenta-del-mundo-juarez-la-segunda |title=San Pedro Sula, la ciudad más violenta del mundo; Juárez, la segunda |language=es |publisher=Security, Justice and Peace |date=January 8, 2012 |access-date=January 7, 2012 |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028124655/http://www.seguridadjusticiaypaz.org.mx/sala-de-prensa/541-san-pedro-sula-la-ciudad-mas-violenta-del-mundo-juarez-la-segunda |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, according to annual crime statistics released by the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), 176 were murdered.<ref>Bullington, Jonathan (January 4, 2017). [http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2017/01/last_homicide_of_2016_prelimin.html "New Orleans last homicide of 2016 preliminarily ruled justifiable, NOPD says."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828124207/http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2017/01/last_homicide_of_2016_prelimin.html |date=August 28, 2017 }} ''The Times-Picayune.'' Retrieved January 15, 2017.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nolacrimenews.com/2017/01/04/the-demographics-of-murder-in-new-orleans-2016/ |title=The Demographics of Murder in New Orleans: 2016 |date=January 4, 2017 |access-date=April 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410213822/https://nolacrimenews.com/2017/01/04/the-demographics-of-murder-in-new-orleans-2016/ |archive-date=April 10, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2017, New Orleans had the highest rate of gun violence, surpassing the more populated [[Chicago]] and [[Detroit]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://wgntv.com/2017/06/20/chicago-not-most-dangerous-u-s-city-in-new-study/ |title=Chicago NOT most dangerous U.S. city, new report says |work=WGN-TV |date=June 20, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630222517/https://wgntv.com/2017/06/20/chicago-not-most-dangerous-u-s-city-in-new-study/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/orleans/new-orleans-homicide-rate-is-higher-than-chicago/289-437912767 |title=New Orleans' homicide rate is higher than Chicago |website=WWL |date=May 8, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323080346/https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/orleans/new-orleans-homicide-rate-is-higher-than-chicago/289-437912767 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, murders increased 68% from 2019 with a total of 202 murders. Criminal justice observers blamed impacts from [[COVID-19]] and changes in police strategies for the uptick.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://metrocrime.org/2021/01/07/new-orleans-sees-sharp-uptick-in-murders-in-2020/ |title=New Orleans sees sharp uptick in murders in 2020 &#124; Metropolitan Crime Commission |date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119143744/https://metrocrime.org/2021/01/07/new-orleans-sees-sharp-uptick-in-murders-in-2020/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wdsu.com/article/new-orleans-sees-sharp-uptick-in-murders-in-2020/35155931 |title=New Orleans sees sharp uptick in murders in 2020 |date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120230811/https://www.wdsu.com/article/new-orleans-sees-sharp-uptick-in-murders-in-2020/35155931 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, New Orleans's homicide rate skyrocketed, leading every major city, hence the city again being declared as the "Murder Capital of America". The 2022 city homicide count increased to 280 which was a 26-year high.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schirm |first=Cassie |date=2023-01-04 |title='It has been a horrific year': New Orleans' 2022 was a violent year, what analysts say we can learn from it for 2023 |url=https://www.wdsu.com/article/leaders-call-new-orleans-violent-2022-a-horrific-year/42390054 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=WDSU |language=en |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121180035/https://www.wdsu.com/article/leaders-call-new-orleans-violent-2022-a-horrific-year/42390054 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fox8live.com/2022/12/29/new-orleans-homicide-total-climbs-highest-26-years/ |title=New Orleans' homicide tally climbs to highest in 26 years |work=Fox 8 News |date=December 28, 2022 |access-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121175735/https://www.fox8live.com/2022/12/29/new-orleans-homicide-total-climbs-highest-26-years/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The NOPD dropped to under 1,000 officers in 2022 which meant the department was severely understaffed for the city's population.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nick Smith |first=Nexstar Media Wire |date=2022-09-26 |title=New Orleans police hiring civilians to combat officer shortage |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3661803-new-orleans-police-hire-civilians-to-combat-officer-shortage/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=The Hill |language=en-US |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112155914/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3661803-new-orleans-police-hire-civilians-to-combat-officer-shortage/ |url-status=live }}</ref> NOPD is actively working to reduce violent crime by offering attractive incentives to recruit and retain more officers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://wgno.com/news/louisiana/orleans-parish/skyrocketing-homicide-rates-in-2022-in-new-orleans-murder-capital-of-the-u-s-report-says/ |title=Skyrocketing homicide rates in 2022 in New Orleans: Murder capital of the U.S. report says |work=WGNO |date=September 20, 2022 |access-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203194016/https://wgno.com/news/louisiana/orleans-parish/skyrocketing-homicide-rates-in-2022-in-new-orleans-murder-capital-of-the-u-s-report-says/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Education==

===Colleges and universities===
[[File:Gibson Hall.jpg|thumb|A view of Gibson Hall at Tulane University]]
New Orleans has the highest concentration of colleges and universities in Louisiana and one of the highest in the Southern United States. New Orleans also has the third highest concentration of [[HBCU|historically black collegiate institutions]] in the U.S.
[[File:UNO University Center Front.JPG|thumb|University of New Orleans]]
[[File:Gert Town, New Orleans, 3Feb 2019 73.jpg|thumb|Xavier University of Louisiana]]
Colleges and universities based within the city include:

{{div col}}
* [[Tulane University]]
* [[Loyola University New Orleans]]
* [[University of New Orleans]]
* [[Xavier University of Louisiana]]
* [[Southern University at New Orleans]]
* [[Dillard University]]
* [[LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans|Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center]]
* [[University of Holy Cross]]
* [[Notre Dame Seminary]]
* [[New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary]]
* [[Delgado Community College]]
* [[William Carey College#School of Nursing|William Carey College School of Nursing]]
{{div col end}}

===Primary and secondary schools===
{{see also|List of schools in New Orleans}}
[[Orleans Parish School Board]] (OPSB), also known as New Orleans Public Schools (NOPS), is the public school district for the entire city.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st22_la/schooldistrict_maps/c22071_orleans/DC20SD_C22071.pdf |title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Orleans Parish, LA |publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]] |access-date=2022-07-25 |archive-date=July 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725050548/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st22_la/schooldistrict_maps/c22071_orleans/DC20SD_C22071.pdf |url-status=live }} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st22_la/schooldistrict_maps/c22071_orleans/DC20SD_C22071_SD2MS.txt Text list] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725050548/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st22_la/schooldistrict_maps/c22071_orleans/DC20SD_C22071_SD2MS.txt |date=July 25, 2022 }}</ref> Katrina was a watershed moment for the school system. Pre-Katrina, NOPS was one of the area's largest systems (along with the [[Jefferson Parish Public Schools|Jefferson Parish public school system]]). It was also the lowest-performing school district in Louisiana. According to researchers [[Carl L. Bankston]] and Stephen J. Caldas, only 12 of the 103 public schools within the city limits showed reasonably good performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vanderbiltuniversitypress.com/bookdetail.asp?book_id=3850 |title=A Troubled Dream: The Promise and Failure of School Desegregation in Louisiana |first=Carl L. |last=Bankston III |year=2002 |publisher=Vanderbilt University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226063053/https://www.vanderbiltuniversitypress.com/bookdetail.asp?book_id=3850 |archive-date=February 26, 2009}}</ref>

Following Hurricane Katrina, the state of Louisiana took over most of the schools within the system (all schools that matched a nominal "worst-performing" metric). Many of these schools (and others) were subsequently granted operating charters giving them administrative independence from the Orleans Parish School Board, the [[Recovery School District]] or the [[Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education]] (BESE). At the start of the 2014 school year, all public school students in the NOPS system attended these independent [[Charter school|public charter schools]], the nation's first to do so.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harden |first1=Kari Dequine |title=New Orleans nearing a 'privatized' public school system |url=http://www.louisianaweekly.com/new-orleans-nearing-a-privatized-public-school-system/ |access-date=July 1, 2014 |newspaper=Louisiana Weekly |date=June 2, 2014 |ref=LA Weekly June 2, 2014 |quote=As the Recovery School District (RSD) shuts the doors on its remaining handful of traditional public schools, the start of the 2014 school year will usher in the nation's first completely privatized public school district. |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714190754/http://www.louisianaweekly.com/new-orleans-nearing-a-privatized-public-school-system/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The charter schools made significant and sustained gains in student achievement, led by outside operators such as [[Knowledge Is Power Program|KIPP]], the Algiers Charter School Network, and the Capital One–University of New Orleans Charter School Network. An October 2009 assessment demonstrated continued growth in the academic performance of public schools. Considering the scores of all public schools in New Orleans gives an overall school district performance score of 70.6. This score represents a 24% improvement over an equivalent pre-Katrina (2004) metric, when a district score of 56.9 was posted.<ref>"Orleans Parish school performance scores continue to improve", ''The Times-Picayune'', October 14, 2009.</ref> Notably, this score of 70.6 approaches the score (78.4) posted in 2009 by the adjacent, suburban Jefferson Parish public school system, though that system's performance score is itself below the state average of 91.<ref>"[https://www.nola.com/opinions/article_0e7bdeae-1333-5c49-b9b8-f925b050a83c.html Jefferson Parish schools make progress, but still have long way to go: an editorial] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804104650/https://www.nola.com/opinions/article_0e7bdeae-1333-5c49-b9b8-f925b050a83c.html |date=August 4, 2020 }}", ''[[The Times-Picayune]]'', October 15, 2009.</ref>

One particular change was that parents could [[School choice#United States|choose which school to enroll their children in]], rather than attending the school nearest them.<ref name="The Times-Picayune 2009">"[https://www.nola.com/news/education/article_2e9fa607-c384-59c1-9412-f618b9ed686b.html Vallas wants no return to old ways] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804090334/https://www.nola.com/news/education/article_2e9fa607-c384-59c1-9412-f618b9ed686b.html |date=August 4, 2020 }}", ''[[The Times-Picayune]]'', July 25, 2009.</ref>

===Libraries===
Academic and [[public library|public libraries]] as well as archives in New Orleans include [[Loyola University New Orleans#Monroe Library|Monroe Library]] at Loyola University, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library at [[Tulane University]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Howard-Tilton Memorial Library |url=http://library.tulane.edu/ |access-date=May 17, 2006 |archive-date=May 17, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517001914/http://library.tulane.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the Law Library of Louisiana,<ref>{{cite web |title=Law Library of Louisiana |publisher=Louisiana Supreme Court |url=http://www.lasc.org/law_library/library_information.asp |access-date=May 17, 2006 |archive-date=April 27, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427023550/http://www.lasc.org/law_library/library_information.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Earl Long|Earl K. Long]] Library at the University of New Orleans.<ref>{{cite web |title=Earl K. Long Library |publisher=University of New Orleans |url=http://library.uno.edu/ |access-date=May 17, 2006 |archive-date=April 25, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060425032734/http://library.uno.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[New Orleans Public Library]] operates in 13 locations.<ref>{{cite web |title=NOPL Branches |publisher=Hubbell Library |url=http://www.hubbelllibrary.org/nopl/branches.mgi |access-date=May 17, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060708144702/http://www.hubbelllibrary.org/nopl/branches.mgi |archive-date=July 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The main library includes a Louisiana Division that houses city archives and special collections.<ref>{{cite web |title=Louisiana Division, City Archives and Special Collections |publisher=New Orleans Public Library |url=http://nutrias.org/~nopl/spec/speclist.htm |access-date=May 17, 2006 |archive-date=June 15, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615173853/http://nutrias.org/~nopl/spec/speclist.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Other research archives are located at [[the Historic New Orleans Collection]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Williams Research Center |publisher=Historic New Orleans Collection |url=http://www.hnoc.org/willcent.htm |access-date=May 17, 2006 |archive-date=June 15, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615051838/http://hnoc.org/willcent.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[New Orleans Mint|Old U.S. Mint]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Old US Mint |publisher=Louisiana State Museum |url=http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/mintex.htm |access-date=May 17, 2006 |archive-date=May 19, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519131950/http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/mintex.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>

An independently operated lending library called [[Iron Rail Book Collective]] specializes in radical and hard-to-find books. The library contains over 8,000 titles and is open to the public.

The [[Louisiana Historical Association]] was founded in New Orleans in 1889. It operated first at Howard Memorial Library. A separate Memorial Hall for it was later added to Howard Library, designed by New Orleans architect [[Thomas Sully (architect)|Thomas Sully]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lahistory.org/uploads/UrquhartLHAHistoryFinal.pdf |author=Kenneth Trist Urquhart |title=Seventy Years of the Louisiana Historical Association |date=March 21, 1959 |location=[[Alexandria, Louisiana]] |publisher=lahistory.org |access-date=July 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923165732/http://lahistory.org/uploads/UrquhartLHAHistoryFinal.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2010}}</ref>

==Media==
{{Main|Media of New Orleans}}
{{See also|Culture of New Orleans#News & entertainment media}}{{See also|New Orleans in fiction}}

Historically, the major newspaper in the area was ''The Times-Picayune''. The paper made headlines of its own in 2012 when owner [[Advance Publications]] cut its print schedule to three days each week, instead focusing its efforts on its website, NOLA.com. That action briefly made New Orleans the largest city in the country without a daily newspaper, until the [[Baton Rouge]] newspaper ''[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The Advocate]]'' began a New Orleans edition in September 2012. In June 2013, the ''Times-Picayune'' resumed daily printing with a condensed [[newsstand]] [[tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]] edition, nicknamed ''TP Street'', which is published on the three days each week that its namesake [[broadsheet]] edition is not printed (the Picayune has not returned to daily delivery). With the resumption of daily print editions from the ''Times-Picayune'' and the launch of the New Orleans edition of ''The Advocate'', now ''The New Orleans Advocate'', the city had two daily newspapers for the first time since the afternoon ''States-Item'' ceased publication on May 31, 1980. In 2019, the papers merged to form ''[[The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate]]''.

In addition to the daily newspaper, weekly publications include ''[[The Louisiana Weekly]]'' and ''[[Gambit Weekly]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bestofneworleans.com/ |title=New Orleans News and Entertainment |website=Gambit Weekly |access-date=September 3, 2005 |archive-date=September 5, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050905124246/http://www.bestofneworleans.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in wide circulation is the ''[[Clarion Herald]]'', the newspaper of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Greater New Orleans is the 54th largest [[Media market|designated market area]] (DMA) in the U.S., serving at least 566,960 homes.<ref>[http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.55dc65b4a7d5adff3f65936147a062a0/?vgnextoid=6573d3b8b0c3d010VgnVCM100000ac0a260aRCRD Nielsen Reports 1.1% increase in U.S. Television Households for the 2006–2007 Season.] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705100549/http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.55dc65b4a7d5adff3f65936147a062a0/?vgnextoid=6573d3b8b0c3d010VgnVCM100000ac0a260aRCRD |date=July 5, 2009 }} Nielson Media Research, August 23, 2006.</ref> Major television network affiliates serving the area include:
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* 4 [[WWL-TV|WWL]] ([[CBS]])
* 6 [[WDSU]] ([[NBC]])
* 8 [[WVUE-DT|WVUE]] ([[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]])
* 12 [[WYES-TV|WYES]] ([[PBS]])
* 20 [[WHNO]] ([[Lester Sumrall|LeSEA]])
* 26 [[WGNO]] ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]])
* 32 [[WLAE-TV|WLAE]] ([[Independent station (North America)|Independent]])
* 38 [[WNOL-TV|WNOL]] ([[The CW Television Network|The CW]])
* 42 [[KGLA-DT|KGLA]] ([[Telemundo]])
* 49 [[WPXL]] ([[Ion Television|Ion]])
* 54 [[WUPL]] ([[MyNetworkTV]])
{{div col end}}

[[WWOZ]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwoz.org/ |title=WWOZ New Orleans 90.7 FM |website=WWOZ New Orleans 90.7 FM |access-date=October 21, 2007 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012091209/http://wwoz.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Station, broadcasts<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwoz.org/about/facts+about+wwoz |title=Facts about WWOZ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704003004/http://www.wwoz.org/about/facts+about+wwoz |archive-date=July 4, 2009}}</ref> modern and traditional jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, brass band, [[gospel music|gospel]], [[cajun music|cajun]], [[zydeco]], Caribbean, Latin, Brazilian, African and bluegrass 24 hours per day.

[[WTUL]] is Tulane University's radio station.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtulneworleans.com/ |title=Home – WTUL New Orleans 91.5FM |website=www.wtulneworleans.com |access-date=August 8, 2008 |archive-date=August 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080816220834/http://www.wtulneworleans.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Its programming includes 20th century classical, reggae, jazz, showtunes, indie rock, electronic music, soul/funk, goth, punk, hip hop, New Orleans music, opera, folk, hardcore, [[Americana (music)|Americana]], country, blues, Latin, cheese, techno, local, world, ska, swing and big band, kids' shows, and news programming. WTUL is listener-supported and non-commercial. The disc jockeys are volunteers, many of them college students.

Louisiana's film and television tax credits spurred growth in the television industry, although to a lesser degree than in the film industry. Many films and advertisements were set there, along with television programs such as ''[[The Real World: New Orleans]]'' in 2000,<ref name=Nola.com>Thompson, Richard. [http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2010/03/real_world_dirty_business_gets.html "Real World New Orleans: Toothbrush-as-toilet scrubber sickens housemate, triggers police action"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724142635/http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2010/03/real_world_dirty_business_gets.html |date=July 24, 2010 }} Nola.com; March 21, 2010</ref> ''[[The Real World: Back to New Orleans]]'' in 2009 and 2010,<ref>Martin, Michael. [http://www.mm-agency.com/blog/mtv-real-world/mtv-real-world-back-to-new-orleans-filming-ends/3640/ "MTV Real World Back to New Orleans Filming Ends"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706072455/http://www.mm-agency.com/blog/mtv-real-world/mtv-real-world-back-to-new-orleans-filming-ends/3640/ |date=July 6, 2010 }} Michael Martin Agency; May 12, 2010</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Exton |first1=Emily |title='The Real World: New Orleans' premiere recap: The bleach definitely went to his brain |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/07/01/the-real-world-new-orleans-premiere-recap/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=May 29, 2022 |language=en |date=July 1, 2010 |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529163142/https://ew.com/article/2010/07/01/the-real-world-new-orleans-premiere-recap/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Bad Girls Club (season 7)|Bad Girls Club: New Orleans]]'' in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2011/08/bad_girls_club_launches_new_or.html |title='Bad Girls Club' launches New Orleans season |work=NOLA.com |access-date=October 22, 2017 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620061735/http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2011/08/bad_girls_club_launches_new_or.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Two [[radio broadcasting|radio stations]] that were influential in promoting New Orleans–based bands and singers were 50,000-watt [[WLNO (New Orleans)|WNOE]] (1060) and 10,000-watt [[WQNO|WTIX]] (690 AM). These two stations competed head-to-head from the late 1950s to the late 1970s.

==Transportation==

===Public transportation===
Hurricane Katrina devastated transit service in 2005. The [[New Orleans Regional Transit Authority]] (RTA) was quicker to restore the streetcars to service, while bus service had only been restored to 35% of pre-Katrina levels as recently as the end of 2013. During the same period, streetcars arrived at an average of once every seventeen minutes, compared to bus frequencies of once every thirty-eight minutes. The same priority was demonstrated in RTA's spending, increasing the proportion of its budget devoted to streetcars to more than three times compared to its pre-Katrina budget.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jaffe, Eric |title=A Troubling Review of Public Transit in New Orleans Since Katrina |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=August 17, 2015 |access-date=May 19, 2018 |publisher=City Lab |url=https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2015/08/a-scathing-review-of-public-transit-in-new-orleans-since-katrina/401423/ |archive-date=May 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520054751/https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2015/08/a-scathing-review-of-public-transit-in-new-orleans-since-katrina/401423/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Through the end of 2017, counting both streetcar and bus trips, only 51% of service had been restored to pre-Katrina levels.<ref name=ridenola>{{cite news |title=The State of Transit 2017: Creating our Transit Future |publisher=Ride New Orleans}}</ref>

In 2017, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority began operation on the extension of the Rampart{{endash}}St. Claude streetcar line. Another change to transit service that year was the re-routing of the 15 Freret and 28 Martin Luther King bus routes to Canal Street. These increased the number of jobs accessible by a thirty-minute walk or transit ride: from 83,722 in 2016 to 89,216 in 2017. This resulted in a regional increase in such job access by more than a full percentage point.<ref name=ridenola/>

====Streetcars====
[[File:Canal St NOLA CBD Sept 2009 St Charles Astor Redcar.JPG|alt=|thumb|A New Orleans [[Streetcars in New Orleans|streetcar]] traveling down Canal Street]]
[[File:New Orlean Streetcars.svg|thumb|Streetcar network]]

{{Main|Streetcars in New Orleans}}
New Orleans has four active [[Tram|streetcar lines]]:
* The [[St. Charles Streetcar Line]] is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://blogs.loc.gov/inside_adams/2018/11/st-charles-avenues-streetcar/ |title=St. Charles Avenue's Streetcar {{!}} Inside Adams: Science, Technology & Business |last=Terrell |first=Ellen |date=November 28, 2018 |website=blogs.loc.gov |access-date=November 13, 2019 |archive-date=November 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113194151/https://blogs.loc.gov/inside_adams/2018/11/st-charles-avenues-streetcar/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The line first operated as local rail service in 1835 between Carrollton and downtown New Orleans. Operated by the Carrollton & New Orleans R.R. Co., the locomotives were then powered by steam engines, and a one-way fare cost 25 cents.<ref>{{cite book |title=Streetcars of New Orleans |author=Hennick, Louis C. and Elbridge Harper Charlton |year=2005 |publisher=Jackson Square Press |page=14 |location=Gretna, LA |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X2Zu8CSRFZAC |isbn=978-1455612598 |access-date=October 19, 2020 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110085309/https://books.google.com/books?id=X2Zu8CSRFZAC |url-status=live }}</ref> Each car is a historic landmark. It runs from Canal Street to the other end of St. Charles Avenue, then turns right into South Carrollton Avenue to its terminal at Carrollton and Claiborne.
* The [[Riverfront Streetcar Line]] runs parallel to the river from Esplanade Street through the French Quarter to Canal Street to the Convention Center above Julia Street in the Arts District.
* The [[Canal Streetcar Line]] uses the Riverfront line tracks from the intersection of Canal Street and Poydras Street, down Canal Street, then branches off and ends at the cemeteries at City Park Avenue, with a spur running from the intersection of Canal and Carrollton Avenue to the entrance of City Park at Esplanade, near the entrance to the New Orleans Museum of Art.
* The [[Rampart–Loyola Streetcar Line]] opened on January 28, 2013, as the ''Loyola-UPT Streetcar Line'' running along Loyola Avenue from [[New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal]] to Canal Street, then continuing along Canal Street to the river, and on weekends on the Riverfront line tracks to French Market. The French Quarter Rail Expansion extended the line from the Loyola Avenue/Canal Street intersection along Rampart Street and St. Claude Avenue to Elysian Fields Avenue. It no longer runs along Canal Street to the river, or on weekends on the Riverfront line tracks to French Market.

The city's streetcars were featured in the [[Tennessee Williams]] play ''[[A Streetcar Named Desire (play)|A Streetcar Named Desire]]''. The streetcar line to Desire Street became a bus line in 1948.

====Buses====
[[Public transport]]ation is operated by the [[New Orleans Regional Transit Authority]] ("RTA"). Many [[bus]] routes connect the city and suburban areas. The RTA lost 200+ buses in the flood. Some of the replacement buses operate on [[biodiesel]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Allen |title=New Jefferson Transit buses run on biodiesel |url=https://www.nola.com/news/politics/article_9eef3085-9930-5d71-b28f-752dcfc47696.html |access-date=March 2, 2022 |work=The Times-Picayune |date=June 23, 2010 |language=en |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302091933/https://www.nola.com/news/politics/article_9eef3085-9930-5d71-b28f-752dcfc47696.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Jefferson Parish, Louisiana|Jefferson Parish]] Department of Transit Administration<ref>[http://www.jeffparish.net/index.cfm?DocID=1196 Department of Transit Administration.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220045454/http://www.jeffparish.net/index.cfm?DocID=1196 |date=February 20, 2012 }} The Parish of Jefferson. Retrieved November 12, 2007.</ref> operates Jefferson Transit, which provides service between the city and its suburbs.<ref>[http://www.jeffersontransit.org/ Jefferson Transit] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930174935/http://www.jeffersontransit.org/ |date=September 30, 2007 }}.</ref>

====Ferries====
[[File:AlgiersFerry TJefferson arriving3 bright.jpg|thumb|Ferries connecting New Orleans with [[Algiers, New Orleans|Algiers]] (left) and Gretna (right)]]
New Orleans has had continuous ferry service since 1827,<ref>{{cite web |title=History of New Orleans' Ferries |publisher=Friends of the Ferry |access-date=May 19, 2018 |url=http://friendsoftheferry.org/ferry-history.html |archive-date=May 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520054801/http://friendsoftheferry.org/ferry-history.html |url-status=live }}</ref> operating three routes as of 2017. The [[Canal Street Ferry]] (or Algiers Ferry) connects downtown New Orleans at the foot of [[Canal Street, New Orleans|Canal Street]] with the [[National Historic Landmark District]] of [[Algiers Point]] across the Mississippi ("West Bank" in local parlance). It services passenger vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. This same terminal also serves the Canal Street/Gretna Ferry, connecting [[Gretna, Louisiana]] for pedestrians and bicyclists only. A third auto/bicycle/pedestrian connects [[Chalmette, Louisiana]] and Lower Algiers.<ref name=friendsoftheferry.org>{{cite web |title=Friends of the Ferry |url=http://www.friendsoftheferry.org/ |access-date=July 2, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131434/http://www.friendsoftheferry.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Bicycling===
The city's flat landscape, simple street grid and mild winters facilitate [[bicycle]] ridership, helping to make New Orleans eighth among U.S. cities in its rate of bicycle and [[pedestrian]] transportation as of 2010,<ref name=autogenerated3>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/article_40a94334-eaa5-512d-8f6a-de89a3bb52f0.html |title=Bicycle Second Line celebrates New Orleans' expanded bike lanes and awareness |author=Molly Reid |website=NOLA.com |date=May 21, 2010 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225094816/https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/article_40a94334-eaa5-512d-8f6a-de89a3bb52f0.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and sixth in terms of the percentage of bicycling commuters.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/ |title=Politics &#124; News from The Advocate |first=The |last=Advocate |website=The Advocate |date=May 21, 2023 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107142741/https://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/02/troy_brown_resigns_louisiana_s.html |url-status=live }}</ref> New Orleans is located at the start of the [[Mississippi River Trail]], a {{convert|3000|mi|km|adj=on}} bicycle path that stretches from the city's [[Audubon Park, New Orleans|Audubon Park]] to [[Minnesota]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mississippirivertrail.org/map.html |title=Welcome Mississippi River Trail |website=www.mississippirivertrail.org |access-date=December 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208065602/http://www.mississippirivertrail.org/map.html |archive-date=December 8, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Since Katrina the city has actively sought to promote bicycling by constructing a $1.5&nbsp;million bike trail from [[Mid-City New Orleans|Mid-City]] to [[Lake Pontchartrain]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/10/wisner_bike_path_opens_today.html|title=Wisner bike path opens today}}</ref> and by adding over {{convert|37|mi|km}} of [[bicycle lane]]s to various streets, including [[St. Charles Avenue]].<ref name=autogenerated3 /> In 2009, [[Tulane University]] contributed to these efforts by converting the main street through its [[Uptown New Orleans|Uptown]] campus, [[McAlister Place, New Orleans|McAlister Place]], into a [[pedestrian mall]] open to bicycle traffic.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tulane.edu/oua/mcalister-place.cfm |title=McAlister Place |website=tulane.edu |access-date=August 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820085913/http://tulane.edu/oua/mcalister-place.cfm |archive-date=August 20, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Lafitte Greenway]] bicycle and pedestrian trail opened in 2015, and is ultimately planned to extend {{convert|3.1|mi|adj=on}} from the French Quarter to Lakeview. New Orleans has been recognized for its abundance of uniquely decorated and uniquely designed bicycles.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://markbattypublisher.com/books/new-orleans-bicycles/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201182715/http://markbattypublisher.com/books/new-orleans-bicycles/ |url-status=dead |title=Markbattypublisher.com |archive-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref>

===Roads===
{{See also|List of streets of New Orleans}}
New Orleans is served by [[Interstate 10]], <!--[[Interstate 49]],--> [[Interstate 610 (Louisiana)|Interstate 610]] and [[Interstate 510]]. I-10 travels east–west through the city as the [[Pontchartrain Expressway]]. In [[Eastern New Orleans|New Orleans East]] it is known as the Eastern Expressway. I-610 provides a direct shortcut for traffic passing through New Orleans via I-10, allowing that traffic to bypass I-10's southward curve.

In addition to the interstates, [[U.S. Route 90|U.S. 90]] travels through the city, while [[U.S. Route 61|U.S. 61]] terminates downtown. In addition, [[U.S. Route 11|U.S. 11]] terminates in the eastern portion of the city.

New Orleans is home to many bridges; [[Crescent City Connection]] is perhaps the most notable. It serves as New Orleans's major bridge across the Mississippi, providing a connection between the city's downtown on the eastbank and its westbank suburbs. Other Mississippi crossings are the [[Huey P. Long Bridge (Jefferson Parish)|Huey P. Long Bridge]], carrying U.S. 90 and the [[Luling Bridge|Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge]], carrying [[Interstate 310 (Louisiana)|Interstate 310]].

The [[I-10 Twin Span Bridge|Twin Span Bridge]], a five-mile (8&nbsp;km) [[causeway]] in eastern New Orleans, carries I-10 across Lake Pontchartrain. Also in eastern New Orleans, Interstate 510/[[Louisiana Highway 47|LA 47]] travels across the [[Intracoastal Waterway]]/[[Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal]] via the [[Green Bridge (New Orleans)|Paris Road Bridge]], connecting New Orleans East and suburban [[Chalmette, Louisiana|Chalmette]].

The tolled [[Lake Pontchartrain Causeway]], consisting of two parallel bridges are, at {{convert|24|mi|km|0}} long, the longest bridges in the world. Built in the 1950s (southbound span) and 1960s (northbound span), the bridges connect New Orleans with its suburbs on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain via [[Metairie, Louisiana|Metairie]].

===Taxi service===
United Cab is the city's largest taxi service, with a fleet of over 300 cabs.<ref name="4WWL">{{cite news |last1=Farris |first1=Meg |title=BREAKING LIVE VIDEO LIVE @ 11:30 AM: Update on Canal St mass shooting from NOPD LOCAL Cab companies: City regulations will force us to close |url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/cab-companies-city-regulations-will-force-us-to-close/289-593532684 |access-date=December 2, 2019 |work=4WWL TV |date=September 12, 2018}}</ref> It has operated 365 days a year since its establishment in 1938, with the exception of the month after [[Hurricane Katrina]], in which operations were temporarily shut down due to disruptions in radio service.<ref>{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Robert |date=March 10, 2016 |title=Danae Columbus: United Cab says business down 50 percent since arrival of Uber, and now Lyft |url=http://uptownmessenger.com/2016/03/danae-columbus-united-cab-says-business-down-50-percent-since-arrival-of-uber-and-now-lyft/ |newspaper=Uptown Messenger |access-date=April 21, 2016 |archive-date=November 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125092246/http://uptownmessenger.com/2016/03/danae-columbus-united-cab-says-business-down-50-percent-since-arrival-of-uber-and-now-lyft/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

United Cab's fleet was once larger than 450 cabs, but has been reduced in recent years due to competition from services like [[Uber]] and [[Lyft]], according to owner Syed Kazmi.<ref name="4WWL"/> In January 2016, New Orleans-based sweet shop Sucré approached United Cab with to deliver its [[king cake]]s locally on-demand. Sucré saw this partnership as a way to alleviate some of the financial pressure being placed on taxi services due to Uber's presence in the city.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Richard |date=January 15, 2016 |title=King cake maker, cab company team up on deliveries in Uber era |url=http://theadvocate.com/news/neworleans/14585605-148/king-cake-maker-cab-company-team-up-on-deliveries-in-uber-era |newspaper=The Advocate |access-date=April 21, 2016 |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424224316/http://theadvocate.com/news/neworleans/14585605-148/king-cake-maker-cab-company-team-up-on-deliveries-in-uber-era |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Airports===
The metropolitan area is served by the [[Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport]], located in the suburb of [[Kenner, Louisiana|Kenner]]. Regional airports include the [[New Orleans Lakefront Airport|Lakefront Airport]], [[Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans]] (Callender Field) in the suburb of Belle Chasse and [[Southern Seaplane Airport]], also located in Belle Chasse. Southern Seaplane has a {{convert|3200|ft|m|-1|adj=on}} runway for wheeled planes and a {{convert|5000|ft|m|-2|adj=on}} water runway for seaplanes.

Armstrong International is the busiest airport in Louisiana and the only to handle scheduled international passenger flights. As of 2018, more than 13&nbsp;million passengers passed through Armstrong, on nonstops flights from more than 57 destinations, including foreign nonstops from the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

===Rail===
The city is served by [[Amtrak]]. The [[New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal]] is the central rail depot and is served by the ''[[Crescent (Amtrak)|Crescent]]'', operating between New Orleans and New York City; the ''[[City of New Orleans (train)|City of New Orleans]]'', operating between New Orleans and Chicago and the ''[[Sunset Limited]]'', operating between New Orleans and Los Angeles. Up until August 2005 (when [[Hurricane Katrina]] struck), the ''Sunset Limited's'' route continued east to Orlando. The ''[[Mardi Gras Service]]'' provides service to Mobile following that route.<ref name="service_debut_announcement">{{Cite web |last=Magliari |first=Marc |date=2025-06-30 |title=Book Now for Amtrak Mardi Gras Service starting August 18 |url=https://media.amtrak.com/2025/06/book-now-for-amtrak-mardi-gras-service-starting-august-18/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Amtrak Media |language=en-US}}</ref>

With the strategic benefits of both the port and its double-track Mississippi River crossings, the city attracted all six of the [[Class I railroad]]s in North America: [[Union Pacific Railroad]], [[BNSF Railway]], [[Norfolk Southern Railway]], [[Canadian Pacific Kansas City]], [[CSX Transportation]] and [[Canadian National Railway]]. The [[New Orleans Public Belt Railroad]] provides interchange services between the railroads.

===Modal characteristics===
According to the 2016 [[American Community Survey]], 67.4% of working city of New Orleans residents commuted by driving alone, 9.7% carpooled, 7.3% used public transportation, and 4.9% walked. About 5% used all other forms of transportation, including taxicab, motorcycle, and bicycle. About 5.7% of working New Orleans residents worked at home.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Census Reporter |access-date=May 19, 2018 |title=Means of Transportation to Work by Age |url=https://censusreporter.org/data/table/?table=B08101&geo_ids=16000US2255000&primary_geo_id=16000US2255000}}</ref>

Many city of New Orleans households own no personal automobiles. In 2015, 18.8% of New Orleans households were without a car, which increased to 20.2% in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. New Orleans averaged 1.26 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8 per household.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Car Ownership in U.S. Cities Data and Map |journal=Governing |date=December 9, 2014 |url=https://www.governing.com/gov-data/car-ownership-numbers-of-vehicles-by-city-map.html |access-date=May 19, 2018}}</ref>

New Orleans ranks high among cities in terms of the percentage of working residents who commute by walking or bicycling. In 2013, 5% of working people from New Orleans commuted by walking and 2.8% commuted by cycling. During the same period, New Orleans ranked thirteenth for percentage of workers who commuted by walking or biking among cities not included within the fifty most populous cities. Only nine of the most fifty most populous cities had a higher percentage of commuters who walked or biked than did New Orleans in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bicycling & Walking in the United States: 2016 Benchmarking Report |page=140 |publisher=The Alliance for Biking & Walking}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from New Orleans}}

==Sister cities==
[[Sister cities]] of New Orleans are:<ref>{{cite web |title=New Orleans becomes sister city with namesake |url=https://www.kplctv.com/story/37219911/new-orleans-becomes-sister-cities-with-namesake/ |website=kplctv.com |publisher=KPLC News |date=2018-01-08 |access-date=2021-01-21}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|HTI}} [[Cap-Haïtien]], Haiti<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor Cantrell signs Sister City Agreement between New Orleans and Cap-Haitien |url=https://nola.gov/mayor/news/may-2019/mayor-cantrell-signs-sister-city-agreement-between-new-orleans-and-cap-haitien/ |website=nola.gov |publisher=City of New Orleans |date=2019-05-21 |access-date=2021-01-21}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|VEN}} [[Caracas]], Venezuela
*{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Durban]], South Africa
*{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Innsbruck]], Austria
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Isola del Liri]], Italy
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Juan-les-Pins|Juan-les-Pins (Antibes)]], France
*{{flagicon|VEN}} [[Maracaibo]], Venezuela
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Matsue]], Japan
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Mérida Municipality|Mérida]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Orléans]], France
*{{flagicon|CGO}} [[Pointe-Noire]], Republic of the Congo
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[San Miguel de Tucumán]], Argentina
*{{flagicon|TWN}} [[Tainan]], Taiwan
*{{flagicon|HON}} [[Tegucigalpa]], Honduras
{{div col end}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Geography|North America|United States|France|History}}
{{div col}}
* [[Buildings and architecture of New Orleans]]
* [[Cancer Alley]]
* [[The Cabildo]]
* [[French Quarter Festival]]
* [[Île d'Orléans, Louisiana]]
* [[List of people from New Orleans]]
* ''[[Mississippi Suite|Mississippi (River) Suite]]'', with an orchestral portrayal of Mardi Gras
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Orleans Parish, Louisiana]]
* [[Neighborhoods in New Orleans]]
* [[New Orleans in fiction]]
* ''[[New Orleans Suite]]'', Duke Ellington recording
* [[New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal]]
* [[Orleans Parish School Board|New Orleans Public Schools]]
* [[Pontalba Buildings]]
* [[The Presbytere]]
* [[Southern Food and Beverage Museum]]
* {{USS|New Orleans}}, 5 ships
* {{USS|Orleans Parish|LST-1069|6}}
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Adams, Thomas J., and Steve Striffler (eds.). ''Working in the Big Easy: The History and Politics of Labor in New Orleans.'' Lafayette, Louisiana: University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press, 2014.
* Berry, Jason. ''City of a Million Dreams: A History of New Orleans at Year 300.'' Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 2018.
* Chamberlain, Charles D., ''New Orleans: A Concise History of an Exceptional City'', Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University Press, 2025. ISBN 978-0807184875
* Dessens, Nathalie. ''Creole City: A Chronicle of Early American New Orleans.'' Gainesville, Florida: University Press of Florida, 2015.
* Ermus, Cindy (ed.). ''Environmental Disaster in the Gulf South: Two Centuries of Catastrophe, Risk, and Resilience.'' Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 2018.
* Fertel, Rien. ''Imagining the Creole City: The Rise of Literary Culture in Nineteenth-Century New Orleans.'' Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 2014.
* {{cite book |last=Gitlin |first=Jay |title=The Bourgeois Frontier: French Towns, French Traders, and American Expansion |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=x4P2TI_mfsQC |page=159}} |date=2009 |page=159 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-15576-1}}
* Holli, Melvin G., and Jones, Peter d'A., eds. ''Biographical Dictionary of American Mayors, 1820-1980'' (Greenwood Press, 1981) short scholarly biographies each of the city's mayors 1820 to 1980. [https://archive.org/details/biographicaldict0000unse_r8s1 online]; see index at p.&nbsp;409 for list.
* Marler, Scott P. ''The Merchants' Capital: New Orleans and the Political Economy of the Nineteenth-Century South.'' New York: Cambridge University Press, 2013.
* Powell, Lawrence N. ''The Accidental City: Improvising New Orleans.'' Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2012.
* Simmons, LaKisha Michelle. ''Crescent City Girls: The Lives of Young Black Women in Segregated New Orleans.'' Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 2015.
* Solnit, Rebecca, and Rebecca Snedeker, ''Unfathomable City: A New Orleans Atlas.'' Berkeley, California: University of California Press, 2013.

==External links==
{{Sister project links|New Orleans|voy=New Orleans}}
* {{Official website|https://www.nola.gov|}}
** {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.new-orleans.la.us/ |date=* }}
* [http://www.neworleans.com/ Official Tourism Website]
* [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/America/United_States/Louisiana/New_Orleans/home.html History]

{{New Orleans}}
{{Orleans Parish, Louisiana}}
{{New Orleans metropolitan area}}
{{Louisiana}}
{{Louisiana parishes}}
{{USPopulousCities}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:New Orleans| ]]
[[Category:Cities in the New Orleans metropolitan area| ]]
[[Category:1718 establishments in New France]]
[[Category:Cities in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana (New France)]]
[[Category:Consolidated city-counties]]
[[Category:Former state capitals in the United States|Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana populated places on the Mississippi River]]
[[Category:Parish seats in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Polders]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1718]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the United States Gulf Coast]]
[[Category:Lowest points of U.S. states]]
[[Category:World War II Heritage Cities]]