Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Orleans Parish: New Orleans consolidated city-parish in Louisiana, United States
About
Orleans Parish is a county located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 343,829 and a population density of 379 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 389,476 inhabitants. Its county seat is New Orleans. The county was created 219 years ago in 1805.
Orleans Parish is centered around the city of New Orleans and located in southeastern Louisiana. The parish was formed in 1807 not long after the Louisiana Purchase and was named in honor of Philippe II, Duke of Orléans. New Orleans was founded in 1718 by French colonists along the Mississippi River and quickly grew into a major port city.
Over the centuries, New Orleans and Orleans Parish became a cultural melting pot influenced by French, Spanish, African, and American cultures. The parish played a pivotal role in the Civil War when the city was captured by Union forces in 1862. Much of New Orleans later burned in a massive fire in 1888 that destroyed much of the French Quarter.
Key Areas and Neighborhoods
Some of the main areas of Orleans Parish include:
- French Quarter - The historic heart of the city with wrought-iron balconies, beignets at Cafe du Monde, and lively nightlife on Bourbon Street.
- Garden District - Leafy neighborhood known for antebellum mansions, St. Charles Avenue streetcar, and upscale shopping.
- Central Business District - Bustling downtown area and port along the Mississippi River. Home to the Superdome and other modern skyscrapers.
- Marigny/Bywater - Hip area with a Bohemian vibe, colorful houses, and trendy restaurants.
Things to See and Do
New Orleans offers iconic sights, food, and entertainment:
- Listen to jazz, zydeco, and other local music flowing through the streets of the French Quarter.
- Indulge in Creole and Cajun cuisine like gumbo, jambalaya, and po' boys.
- Tour the historic St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square and view street artists.
- Visit the National WWII Museum to learn about the military history of New Orleans.
- Take a relaxing stroll through City Park and enjoy the beauty of the live oak trees.
From Mardi Gras celebrations to wetlands airboat tours, Orleans Parish provides one-of-a-kind experiences found nowhere else but New Orleans. Its rich cultural heritage continues to influence America through food, music, and traditions.
Quick Facts about Orleans Parish
| Population : | 389,476 (2020) |
| Country : | United States of America |
| State : | Louisiana (United States) |
| Different from : | Orleans County, Orleans County |
| Area : | 907 km2 |
| Altitude : | -7 feet / -2 meters |
| Capital : | New Orleans |
| Establishment : | April 04, 1805 |
| Time Zone : | America/Chicago |
| Local time : | 06:38:57 (21st December 2024) |
| Density : | 429 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth : | 11.72% (2010-2020) |
Geography
Orleans Parish is located at 30°4'7"N 89°55'41"W (30.0686400, -89.9281300).
Orleans Parish map
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The largest city of Orleans Parish is New Orleans with a population of 389,476. . See all Orleans Parish cities & populated places.
Orleans Parish Populated Places
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Orleans Parish.
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 389,476 | The most populous city in Louisiana and the center of the New Orleans metropolitan area. |
- New Orleans
Demographics
The population of Orleans Parish increased by 11.72% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
| 2010 | 343,829 | - | census |
| 2011 | 360,735 | 4.69% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 369,787 | 2.45% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 378,637 | 2.34% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 383,940 | 1.38% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 389,742 | 1.49% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 391,843 | 0.54% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 391,493 | -0.09% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 391,004 | -0.13% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 390,144 | -0.22% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 389,476 | -0.17% | estimation process |
People born in Orleans Parish (2)
People born in Orleans Parish, including musician Blanche Thomas, journalist William H. Fitzpatrick, .
List
Louisiana Other Counties (more counties)
| County Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| East Baton Rouge Parish | 439,729 | Parish in Louisiana, United States |
| Jefferson Parish | 432,346 | Parish in Louisiana, United States |
| New Orleans | 389,476 | The most populous city in Louisiana and the center of the New Orleans metropolitan area. |
| Saint Tammany Parish | 263,446 | Parish in Louisiana, United States of America |
| Lafayette Parish | 246,518 | Parish in Louisiana, United States |
| Caddo Parish | 237,479 | Parish in Louisiana, United States |
| Baton Rouge | 219,052 | The capital of Louisiana. |
| Calcasieu Parish | 203,310 | Parish in Louisiana, United States |
| Shreveport | 184,786 | The second most populous city in Louisiana. |
| Ouachita Parish | 152,439 | Parish in Louisiana, United States |
| Livingston Parish | 143,737 | Parish in Louisiana, United States |
| Metairie Terrace | 142,489 | A census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. |
| Metairie | 138,481 | The most populous suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana. |
| Tangipahoa Parish | 136,765 | Parish in Louisiana, United States |
| Ascension Parish | 128,665 | Parish in Louisiana, United States |
| Rapides Parish | 128,567 | Parish in Louisiana, United States |
