Southeastern NEWS
Southeastern Louisiana University
Public Information Office
publicinfo@selu.edu
SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
Date: 4/26/99
Contact: Christina Chapple 44
LATEST POPULATION FIGURES ARE GOOD NEWS FOR PARISH ECONOMY
HAMMOND -- Latest population estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that
Tangipahoa Parish's head count is up by more than 1,500 residents.
Economist Yu Hsing, head of Southeastern Louisiana University's General Business
Department, said that the Census Bureau's latest figures show that Tangipahoa Parish had 96,983
residents in July 1998. The figure reflects a 1,582 increase from July 1997, when the population
estimate for Tangipahoa Parish was 95,401.
Hsing said the Census Bureau's figures can be broken down into 1,552 births, 952 deaths,
net domestic migration of 939, and net international migration of 32.
The Census Bureau figures are good news for the local economy since more residents
indicate greater demand for housing and services, Hsing said.
"The increase of 1,582 people is expected to cause the demand for housing to rise by 500-
600 units, which certainly will help residential construction, apartments and related businesses
such as household appliances, lumber, plumbing, carpeting and painting," the economist said.
"New births of more than 1,500 babies will continue to provide business for health care, retail
stores, day care, etc."
Hsing said it was equally important that the figures show that Tangipahoa Parish
continues to experience a net domestic migration of more than 900 people between 1997 and
1998.
"This suggests that Tangipahoa Parish has many positive features to offer for others to
move in," Hsing said.
- SLU -
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