New Orleans East & the Lower Ninth Ward
Population Size and Median Age
While the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East are communities of different sizes, the communities have similar median ages. The Lower Ninth Ward has 8,475 residents with a median age of 35.3 years. New Orleans East has 75,231 residents with a median age of 35 years. The communities are slightly younger than the city of New Orleans as a whole, which has a median age of 39.5.
Racial and Ethnic Composition
Black individuals make up the majority of the populations of the Lower Ninth Ward (82.02%) and New Orleans East (84.17%). Black populations are also concentrated in urban and suburban areas — up to 95% of the population in some census tracts — while there is a smaller Black population in less populated census tracts or in census tracts where there is high manufacturing activity. A significantly greater percentage of individuals in the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East is Black compared to the city of New Orleans as a whole, whose population is 54.2% Black.
Asian individuals are the second largest racial/ethnic population in New Orleans East (6.04%), while White individuals are the second largest racial/ethnic population in the Lower Ninth Ward (11.06%). The Asian population in New Orleans East is concentrated in the Read Blvd East neighborhood. New Orleans East has a higher percentage of Asian individuals than the city of New Orleans, whose population is 2.8% Asian.
About 95% of the populations of the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East are also non-Hispanic/Latino. The Hispanic/Latino population is concentrated in the Viavant-Venetian Isles, making up nearly 25% of the neighborhood. This neighborhood has a higher percentage of Hispanic/Latino individuals than the city of New Orleans, whose population is 8.1% Hispanic/Latino.
Languages
In New Orleans East, English is the most spoken language (91.7%), followed by Asian and Pacific Island languages* (4.6%) and Spanish (3.1%). Speakers of Asian and Pacific Island languages are concentrated in New Orleans East where the percentage of Asian residents is higher. Many speak Vietnamese. English (98%) is the most spoken language in the Lower Ninth Ward, followed by other Indo-European languages* (1.4%) and Spanish (0.5%).
*The dataset of languages spoken at home from the 2022 American Community Survey uses broad categories of “Asian and Pacific Island Languages” and “Other Indo-European Languages.” There are thousands of languages within these categories and the actual languages spoken in the areas of study are not specified.
Income and Poverty
Median Household Income
The median household income in the city of New Orleans is $55,580, which is greater than the median household incomes of the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East.
The median household income in the Lower Ninth Ward is $29,722.*
The median household income in New Orleans East is $40,088. The households with the lowest median incomes are in the Viavant-Venetian Isles, West Lake Forest, and Pines Village (which is not labeled in the map but is west of West Lake Forest and Plum Orchard). The households with the highest median incomes are in Read Blvd East and Village de L’est.
Median household income is a better indicator of overall income levels in communities than average household income because it moderates the effect of households with extremely high income levels in data calculations. Therefore, median household income is used instead of average household income.
*Two of the seven census tracts in the Lower Ninth Ward lacked data on median household income, so average household income was used instead.
Percent of Households Below the Federal Poverty Line
The federal poverty line is the specific income level below which individuals or families are considered to be living in poverty, meaning they do not have enough income to meet their basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. The federal poverty line changes depending on the size of the household.
For individuals, the federal poverty line is $15,060.
For families of 2, the federal poverty line is $20,440.
For families of 3, the federal poverty line is $25,280.
For families of 4, the federal poverty line is $31,200.
In the Lower Ninth Ward, 26.5% of households live below the federal poverty line.
In New Orleans East, 29.5% of households live below the federal poverty line. Poverty rates are highest in the Viavant-Venetian Isles, which also has the lowest household median income.
In both communities, that is more than 1 in 4 households living in poverty. This is higher than the city of New Orleans, where 22.6% of households are below the federal poverty line.
The majority of homes in the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East are occupied by renters or are owned with a mortgage or loan. In the Lower Ninth Ward, 52.85% of homes are occupied by renters and only 24.06% of homes are owned free and clear (without a mortgage or loan). In New Orleans East, 49.12% of homes are occupied by renters and only 19.8% of homes are owned free and clear. The highest percentage of renters are in the Viavant-Venetian Isles and West Lake Forest. The highest percentage of homes owned with a mortgage or loan are in Read Blvd East and Village de’ Lest.
The Lower Ninth Ward has a homeownership rate of 47.15%, and New Orleans East has a homeownership rate of 50.88%. Both rates are lower than the 55.9% homeownership rate of the city of New Orleans.
Homeownership is a key way for individuals and families to build wealth over time. Homes that are owned free and clear allow owners to have more financial security and a greater share of equity, which can be crucial for weathering economic downturns or financial crises. In contrast, homes owned with mortgages or loans involve debt and financial obligations that can place homeowners in precarious situations. Renters do not build equity, and their financial stability is tied to the landlord's decisions and the cost of rent.
Housing
Social Services
The distribution of social services directly impacts the well-being and opportunities of individuals and communities. Libraries serve as community hubs for learning, literacy, and access to resources like Wi-Fi and computers for those who do not have access to them at their home. Accessible schools ensure equitable educational opportunities. Nearby grocery stores provide essential nutrition and healthy food options, while those living in areas that lack grocery stores (known as food deserts) may primarily rely on fast food due to convenience. Those without reliable transportation are especially likely to resort to fast food when they cannot get to a grocery store. This is tied to health issues. Proximity to hospitals and health centers is vital for timely medical care, promoting overall public health. A fair distribution of these services fosters a more inclusive, healthy, and thriving community.
Educational Attainment
The populations of Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East have similar rates of educational attainment, but these rates are lower than the city of New Orleans as a whole. 91.1% of the population 25 years and older in the city of New Orleans graduate high school, while 87.8% and 84.6% of the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East graduate high school, respectively. Significantly fewer individuals in the Lower Ninth Ward (23.1%) and New Orleans East (22.5%) attain a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to individuals in the city of New Orleans, where 44.7% of individuals attain a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Educational attainment directly impacts an individual’s income potential, career opportunities, and overall economic stability. Higher educational attainment is linked to better health outcomes and increased civic engagement.
Environment
This map shows predicted average temperatures across the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area in July 2024. The predictions were generated based on a sample of temperature data from across the city (turquoise points). This statistical method is called interpolation.
The average temperature ranged from 81.53°F to 85.36°F, a relatively narrow range of 3.83°F. Cooler temperatures are found along the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain and its surrounding suburbs, likely due to the lake’s cooling effect and lower population density. In contrast, hotter areas are located along the Mississippi River and near the Main Outfall Canal, where industrial activity and denser populations may contribute to higher temperatures.
Based on the predictions in the map, New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward are among the hottest areas in the city. The temperature data used in this study is from Weather Underground. There are no stations recording temperatures in New Orleans East and Lower Ninth Ward. Without temperature data in these areas, predictions must be relied on. If the predictions underestimate temperatures in the communities, the effectiveness of attempts to address extreme heat in the communities can be limited.
Environmental and social outcomes are deeply intertwined. Socioeconomically disadvantaged communities often bear the brunt of environmental challenges, such as extreme heat, flood risks, and industrial pollution, which can worsen living conditions. These communities are typically located in areas with limited green spaces and lower elevation, increasing their vulnerability to extreme heat and flooding. Additionally, they often lack the financial resources to evacuate during disasters or rebuild afterward, compounding long-term impacts. The strain on health from pollution and environmental hazards further burdens these communities, as they struggle to access necessary healthcare. Therefore, effective solutions must address both the environmental and social factors that hinder recovery and well-being.
Map produced by: Emma De Leon and Jay Barras, undergraduates at Tulane University for the course GIS Practical Applications
The Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East have considerably fewer trees than other neighborhoods in New Orleans and therefore lack the environmental benefits of trees. Trees absorb pollutants from the air, help manage storm water by reducing runoff, and mitigate extreme heat by creating shade. The comparative lack of trees reveals inequality in access to green spaces in New Orleans, where wealthier neighborhoods often have more access to tree cover than lower-income areas.
The Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East are among the lowest lying areas of New Orleans and experienced significant flooding during and after Hurricane Katrina. Like much of New Orleans, these communities remain at risk of future extreme flooding. Residents’ abilities to prepare for and respond to such events depends on their socioeconomic status.
Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) are solid and liquid particles in the air that are small enough that they can be inhaled (2.5 micrometers or smaller). They can come directly from a source, like unpaved roads or construction sites, or be the result of chemical reactions from power plants, industrial facilities, and automobiles. When breathed in, they can enter the lungs and bloodstreams, posing serious health issues.
New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward rank in the 53rd percentile in Louisiana and the 57th percentile in the country for PM2.5 levels.
Any amount of PM2.5 can be harmful, but the EPA sets the acceptable PM2.5 concentration to less than 9.0 micrograms per cubic meters (µg/m3). New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward experience up to 8.4 µg/m3 of PM2.5.
Ozone (O3) is a molecule in the upper atmosphere that helps shield the earth’s surface from harmful UV rays. However, ground-level ozone is an air pollutant that can cause respiratory issues, especially to those with asthma and other lung conditions. Ground-level ozone is the product of chemical reactions involving compounds emitted by cars, power plants, industrial facilities, and other sources.
New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward rank in the 67th percentile in Louisiana and the 43rd percentile in the country for ozone levels.
Any amount of ozone can be harmful, but the EPA sets the acceptable ozone concentration to less than 70 parts per billion (ppb). New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward experience up to 60 ppb of ozone.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a chemical within the larger group of nitrogen oxides (NOx). It is the indicator for the the NOx group. It is a pollutant that primarily results from the burning of fuels, such as from automobiles, power plants, and industries. It is also one of the chemicals involved in the chemical reactions that produces ground-level ozone and other reactions that produce acid rain. When inhaled, nitrogen dioxide can irritate the airways and aggravate or cause respiratory diseases, especially asthma.
New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward rank in the 74th percentile in Louisiana and the 54th percentile in the country for nitrogen dioxide levels.
Any amount of nitrogen dioxide can be harmful, but the EPA sets the acceptable nitrogen dioxide concentration to less than 100 parts per billion (ppb). New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward experience up to 9.8 ppb of ozone.