New Orleans, August 29, 2025
News Summary
New research reveals that a significant number of New Orleans residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina relocated to Texas, where they established new lives. By 2006, about 33% of those affected had not returned, with many finding community and employment in cities like Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. The study highlights the long-term impacts of post-disaster migrations and the importance of social networks in resettlement decisions.
New Orleans
New data shows that tens of thousands of New Orleans residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina relocated and ultimately settled in Texas, according to research using exclusive government access to migration records. The research, based on census records that track individuals from 2006 through 2019, found that by 2006 roughly 33% of Katrina-affected New Orleanians had not returned to the metro area. Many of those who did not return were living in Louisiana and Sun Belt cities including Baton Rouge, Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas, with a substantial concentration in Texas.
Key findings and methods
The researcher obtained government data that allowed identification of people who were New Orleans residents when Katrina hit and followed their residential trajectories using census records from 2006 to 2019. The dataset covers long-term movement rather than immediate evacuations, allowing analysis of where former New Orleans residents ultimately resettled and whether they returned to the metro area. The study highlights a sustained pattern of relocation rather than a short-term displacement for a sizable portion of the population.
The data shows that while many displaced residents returned to New Orleans over time, a significant share did not return within the first post-storm year and instead built lives in other cities. Texas attracted a notable number of those who remained away from New Orleans, with local community ties, employment opportunities, and pre-existing migration connections cited as contributing factors.
Individual migration example
A person who moved to San Antonio three days after the storm illustrates the long-term nature of some relocations. The move began as a short-term decision tied to following a partner who expected work opportunities in teaching, but it evolved into a permanent relocation. In the new city, the individual became active in the local arts community, taught after-school art programs at a community center, and provided instruction at senior centers. Community connections and social networks in San Antonio ultimately influenced the decision to remain.
Why Texas retained more residents
The research points to several reasons Texas retained disproportionately more former New Orleanians than some other destinations. Existing migration patterns that linked New Orleans and Texas prior to the storm offered social and familial ties that eased relocation. In addition, job markets and community institutions in Texas cities provided anchors for displaced residents. The data indicates that more people found reasons to stay in Texas cities compared with some other popular destinations such as Baton Rouge or Atlanta.
Broader implications
The findings contribute to broader understanding of post-disaster migration and long-term demographic change. They show that large-scale displacement can reshape urban population patterns not only in the short term but across decades. The work underscores the role of social networks, employment, and pre-existing migration flows in determining where displaced people resettle.
Background
Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in late August 2005, ultimately flooding about 80% of New Orleans and rendering large portions of the city uninhabitable in the immediate aftermath. The storm produced one of the largest internal migration events in recent U.S. history, dispersing displaced residents across the country. This new analysis uses administrative and census data to trace those movements over a 13-year follow-up period, providing a clearer picture of long-term resettlement patterns.
Data limitations
The research relies on census and government records that capture residential locations but cannot fully capture individual motivations, informal living arrangements, or short-term moves not reflected in official records. While the numbers indicate broad trends and concentrations, individual experiences varied widely and included return migration, multiple moves, and differing timelines for resettlement.
FAQ
What does the new data show?
The data shows that tens of thousands of New Orleans residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina relocated to Texas and that by 2006 about 33% of Katrina-affected residents had not returned to the New Orleans metro area.
Who conducted the research and how was the data obtained?
A researcher was granted exclusive government access to administrative records and used census data to identify New Orleans residents affected by Katrina and to track their locations from 2006 through 2019.
Which cities saw the largest shares of displaced residents?
Major destinations included Baton Rouge, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, with a notable concentration of long-term resettlement in Texas cities.
Why did many people stay in Texas?
Factors included pre-existing migration ties to Texas, community networks, employment opportunities, and local institutions that provided support and anchors for resettled residents.
What period does the tracking cover?
The tracking covers the period from 2006 through 2019, following people who were New Orleans residents before or at the time of Hurricane Katrina.
Key features of the study
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Data source | Census records and government administrative data (exclusive access) |
| Timeframe tracked | 2006–2019 |
| Major destinations | Baton Rouge, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and other U.S. cities |
| Key statistic | About 33% of Katrina-affected New Orleanians had not returned by 2006 |
| Extent of flooding in New Orleans | Approximately 80% of the city flooded in 2005 |
| Scale of relocation | Tens of thousands of displaced residents ultimately settled in Texas |
Timeline of key events
| Date | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Late August 2005 | Hurricane Katrina makes landfall; widespread flooding in New Orleans | Confirmed – Historical storm and flood records |
| Early September 2005 (three days after Katrina) | Example relocation: an individual moves to San Antonio intending a temporary stay | Documented in follow-up research |
| 2006 | Census follow-up indicates about 33% of affected residents had not returned | Census records / Research data |
| 2006–2019 | Researcher tracks residential movements of New Orleans residents displaced by Katrina | Administrative records and census tracking |
| 2025 (20 years after Katrina) | Release of analysis summarizing long-term displacement trends and Texas resettlement | Research findings based on exclusive data access |
Simple visual statistics
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Celebrated Chef Dominick Lee: A Culinary Journey Through Hurricane Katrina
Additional Resources
- Axios San Antonio
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Katrina
- Spectrum Local News
- Google Search: Hurricane Katrina
- Fox San Antonio
- Google Scholar: Hurricane Katrina
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane Katrina
- KENS5
- Google News: Hurricane Katrina
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