[StBernard] Post-Rita population estimates released for Cameron, Calcasieu and Vermilion parishes

[Westley Annis]

Post-Rita population estimates released for Cameron, Calcasieu and Vermilion parishes
Calcasieu estimate shows gain, while Cameron shows a loss 

NEW ORLEANS, La. (February 6, 2007) - The results of the first post-Hurricane Rita household surveys of Calcasieu, Cameron and Vermilion Parishes have been released. Calcasieu Parish has an estimated population of 189,768 residents, up from 179,030 residents in the 2000 U.S. Census, while Cameron has an estimated population of 7,403, down from 9,991 in the 2000 Census. Vermilion Parish has an estimated population of 58,114, up from 53,040 in the 2000 Census. 

In addition, the population estimate reflects an increase of close to 9,000 residents in Calcasieu Parish from the number reported in a 2005 Census American Community Survey conducted in the summer of 2005. That survey estimated the populati! on of Calcasieu to be 180,709. No American Community Survey was conducted in Cameron or Vermilion in 2005. 

The Cameron, Calcasieu and Vermilion household estimate surveys were conducted by the Louisiana Public Health Institute on behalf of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the Louisiana Recovery Authority, with technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Census Bureau. Known officially as the 2006 Louisiana Health and Population Survey, the project employs a standard U.S. Census Bureau method for conducting population estimates, with modifications made to these methods to account for the effects of the 2005 hurricane season.

The complete reports for Cameron, Calcasieu and Vermilion Parishes - including demographic breakdowns, insurance coverage information and more - are available online at w ww.popest.org <http://www.popest.org> .

The 2006 Louisiana Health & Population Survey is supported primarily by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Office of Public Health, the Louisiana Recovery Authority and the Centers for Disease Control Foundation.

The survey process began in June of this year, when survey teams visited neighborhoods and left behind survey information packets on doors. The packets included instructions, the survey form and a letter from Governor Kathleen Blanco and Louisiana Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Fred Cerise that explained the project and its importance. The teams later returned to the homes where packets had been left in order to survey residents in person. 

Throughout the process, survey team members wore project t-shirts and carried official badges identifying them as members of 2006 Louisiana Health and Popul! ation Survey team.

It is anticipated that survey reports will be issued for a total of 18 parishes in South and Central Louisiana. The goals of the project are to: 

- Provide critical population data to decision-makers to use in planning the allocation of public services and disaster recovery funds, and for the creation of evacuation and preparation guidelines for future disasters; 

- Provide timely and accurate estimates of the population in selected parishes, including information on age, race and gender; 

- Obtain information for health care and economic development planning, including information on health insurance, worker's compensation, disability, household income, employment status, education and selected chronic disease conditions; and 

- Compare population estimates with modeled estimates developed from other sources in order to gauge the need for future household surveys. 

In addition to the new Cameron, Calcasieu and Vermilion results, the final population estimate s for Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and St. Tammany Parishes are also available online at www.popest.org <http://www.popest.org> .

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Since 1997 the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI), has worked to promote and improve the health and quality of life in Louisiana through public-private partnering at the community, parish and state level and provide information for decision making and policy development. Current activities employ a community-based systems approach to improving access to care, environmental tobacco policy change, health promotion and disease prevention, and enhancing the capacity of communities to address critical and chronic health issues. LPHI is a member of the National Network of Public Health Institutes and is the administrative home of their national office. For more information visit www.lphi.org <http://www.lphi.org>