New Orleans Population Reaches 60% of Pre-Katrina Total

"New Orleans' population has grown to about 273,600 people, 60 percent of the number here before Hurricane Katrina hit nearly two years ago, a new report shows."

"The report from demographer Greg Rigamer and an earlier household estimate by the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center indicate the city's population has continued to return since Katrina hit in August 2005."

"According to Rigamer's report, which is based on utility hookups, 273,600 people lived in New Orleans as of last month _ 50,200 more than a year earlier. In July 2005, the month before Katrina, the population was about 455,000."

"The data center, relying on U.S. Postal Service data, said nearly 66 percent of the city's 198,232 pre-Katrina households were receiving mail as of June."