Baton Rouge, French: Bton-Rouge is the capital and, at least currently, the largest city of Louisiana, a state of the United States of America. Historically Baton Rouge has been second largest city in Louisiana behind New Orleans, but as of mid-2005, the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Katrina have, at least temporarily, reduced New Orleans's population such that Baton Rouge is currently the largest city in Louisiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 227,818 and as of 2004, the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimate puts the city at 224,097. The Greater Baton Rouge area as of 2000 had a population of 602,894, but grew up to over 700,000 since the 2000 census making it the second largest metro area in the state after Greater New Orleans. Baton Rouge is the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish. Baton Rouge is home to the main campus of Louisiana State University and to Southern University.
Baton Rouge is also called by its name "Red Stick", and like other capital cities, it is called the "Capitol Area", and it is abbreviated as B.R.
As of the census of 2000, there are 227,818 people, 88,973 households, and 52,672 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,144.7/km2 (2,964.7/mi2). There are 97,388 housing units at an average density of 489.4/km2 (1,267.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 50.02% African American 45.70% White, 0.18% Native American, 2.62% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 1.72% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 88,973 households out of which 28.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% are married couples living together, 19.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% are non-families. 31.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 3.12.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 30 years. For every 100 females there are 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $30,368, and the median income for a family is $40,266. Males have a median income of $34,893 versus $23,115 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,512. 24.0% of the population and 18.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 31.4% of those under the age of 18 and 13.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
These figures shifted dramatically in September 2005, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, as reported in the Baton Rouge Advocate of October 5, 2005. The mayor's office estimated that the population of the parish just before the hurricane was about 415,000. Two weeks later, it had reached between 800,000 and 1,000,000 based on careful estimates extrapolated from traffic counts. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce guessed, based on its own study, that the area had absorbed about 235,000 evacuees from the New Orleans area, of whom about 160,000 stayed in private homes with family and friends, 41,000 in leased apartments or houses, 32,000 in hotels and motels, 20,000 in shelters, and 10,000 in unsold new homes, college dormitories, and other facilities.
Both the mayor's office and the chamber are expecting permanent growth in the Baton Rouge area, after most New Orleanians return to their homes, to be between 25,000 and 50,000.
A related figure is the total enrollment in the parish's public schools, which was 46,580 on the day before the hurricane and 52,518 on October 1st. The sudden increase in enrollment has placed great strain on the public school system, with night classes being scheduled for many evacuee students. These figures also do not take into account those private (mostly Catholic) school students from New Orleans who enrolled in the Baton Rouge counterparts of their own schools -- often being taught by evacuated instructors, many of them members of Catholic teaching orders.
Recently, although the city of New Orleans' current population is unknown (although some estimates point it at between 60,000 to 250,000), the current population of Baton Rouge is also unknown until the next census estimate in July 2006.
As new businesses migrate to the Baton Rouge area, office towers may soon be built in the downtown area. One project includes a proposed river condominum tower, to become a new highrise building in the city.
Source:
BatonRougeLouisiana.com
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