Louisiana is a state with a rich history, culture, and natural beauty. However, not all of its towns are thriving or desirable places to live. Some of them are facing serious challenges such as poverty, crime, environmental degradation, and lack of opportunities. As a result, many people are leaving these towns in search of a better life elsewhere. Here are seven Louisiana towns that people are fleeing as soon as possible.
1. Bastrop
Bastrop is the largest city and parish seat of Morehouse Parish, but it has been declining for decades. The city’s population peaked at 15,527 in 1980, but it has since dropped to 10,395 in 2020, a 33% decrease. Bastrop’s economy was once based on paper manufacturing, but the closure of the International Paper mill in 2008 resulted in the loss of over 500 jobs and a major blow to the city’s tax base.
Bastrop also suffers from high crime rates, low educational attainment, and poor health outcomes. According to the U.S. News & World Report, Bastrop ranks as the worst place to live in Louisiana and the third-worst place to live in the U.S..
2. Bogalusa
Bogalusa is a city in Washington Parish, located near the Mississippi border. It was founded in 1906 as a company town for the Great Southern Lumber Company, which operated the largest sawmill in the world at the time. However, the timber industry declined after World War II, and the city never diversified its economy. Bogalusa’s population reached 23,196 in 1960, but it has since fallen to 11,789 in 2020, a 49% decrease.
Bogalusa faces many of the same problems as Bastrop, such as high crime, low education, and poor health. In addition, Bogalusa has been plagued by environmental issues, such as air and water pollution, soil erosion, and flooding. Bogalusa ranks as the second-worst place to live in Louisiana and the sixth-worst place to live in the U.S..
3. Monroe
Monroe is the eighth-largest city and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. It is also the principal city of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Bastrop and other nearby towns. Monroe was once a prosperous trade and transportation center, but it has been losing its economic vitality and population for years. Monroe’s population peaked at 57,597 in 1980, but it has since declined to 46,737 in 2020, a 19% decrease.
Monroe’s economy is mainly based on low-wage sectors such as retail, hospitality, and health care, and it has few opportunities for growth and innovation. Monroe also has high rates of poverty, crime, and unemployment, and low rates of income, education, and home ownership. Monroe ranks as the fourth-worst place to live in Louisiana and the 24th-worst place to live in the U.S..
4. Alexandria
Alexandria is the ninth-largest city and the parish seat of Rapides Parish. It is located in the geographic center of the state, along the Red River. Alexandria was founded in 1805 as a trading post, and it grew into a regional hub for agriculture, commerce, and culture. However, Alexandria has been struggling to maintain its relevance and attractiveness in the modern era. Alexandria’s population reached 51,565 in 1980, but it has since dropped to 46,163 in 2020, a 10% decrease.
Alexandria’s economy is largely dependent on government, military, and health care sectors, which offer limited prospects for development and diversification. Alexandria also has high levels of poverty, crime, and racial segregation, and low levels of income, education, and civic engagement. Alexandria ranks as the sixth-worst place to live in Louisiana and the 38th-worst place to live in the U.S..
5. Shreveport
Shreveport is the third-largest city and the parish seat of Caddo Parish. It is also the principal city of the Shreveport-Bossier City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which spans four parishes and two states. Shreveport was established in 1836 as a steamboat port, and it later became a major center for oil, gas, and gambling industries. However, Shreveport has been facing a steady decline in its population and economy for decades. Shreveport’s population peaked at 219,531 in 1980, but it has since fallen to 183,819 in 2020, a 16% decrease.
Shreveport’s economy has been hit hard by the fluctuations and competition in the energy and gaming sectors, and it has failed to attract new and diverse businesses and industries. Shreveport also has high rates of poverty, crime, and violence, and low rates of income, education, and quality of life. Shreveport ranks as the seventh-worst place to live in Louisiana and the 41st-worst place to live in the U.S..
6. Lake Charles
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest city and the parish seat of Calcasieu Parish. It is located on the banks of the Calcasieu River and Lake Charles, near the Gulf of Mexico. Lake Charles was founded in 1861 as a lumber and agricultural town, and it later developed into a major petrochemical and industrial hub.
However, Lake Charles has been suffering from a series of natural and man-made disasters that have devastated its population and economy. Lake Charles’ population reached 77,117 in 1980, but it has since dropped to 71,993 in 2020, a 7% decrease. Lake Charles’ economy is heavily reliant on the oil, gas, and chemical sectors, which are vulnerable to market fluctuations and environmental regulations.
Lake Charles also has high levels of poverty, crime, and pollution, and low levels of income, education, and health. Lake Charles ranks as the ninth-worst place to live in Louisiana and the 48th-worst place to live in the U.S..
7. New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest and most famous city in Louisiana, and the parish seat of Orleans Parish. It is also the principal city of the New Orleans Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes seven parishes and covers the entire southeastern tip of the state. New Orleans was founded in 1718 as a French colony, and it became a melting pot of cultures, cuisines, and music.
New Orleans is renowned for its historic architecture, vibrant nightlife, and festive events, such as Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. However, New Orleans has also been plagued by numerous challenges and tragedies that have threatened its survival and prosperity. New Orleans’ population peaked at 627,525 in 1960, but it has since plummeted to 390,144 in 2020, a 38% decrease.
New Orleans’ economy is mainly based on tourism, entertainment, and port activities, which are susceptible to external shocks and disruptions. New Orleans also has high rates of poverty, crime, and corruption, and low rates of income, education, and infrastructure. New Orleans ranks as the tenth-worst place to live in Louisiana and the 49th-worst place to live in the U.S..
Conclusion
These seven Louisiana towns are examples of places that have lost their appeal and potential over time, due to various factors such as economic decline, social decay, environmental damage, and natural disasters. Many people who live in these towns are unhappy and dissatisfied with their living conditions, and they are looking for ways to escape and relocate to other places that offer more opportunities and quality of life. These towns need urgent and comprehensive interventions and reforms to reverse their downward trends and revitalize their communities. Otherwise, they will continue to lose their population and their identity, and become ghost towns in the near future.