Sharp Changes in Populations

In revised Census Bureau estimates, New Orleans lost the most and New York gained the most residents between 2000 and 2009.

New Orleans registered the nation's biggest nine-year decline, largely because of the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Its population dropped by 129,824 between 2000 and 2009.

The nation's largest city, New York, also posted the biggest population increase between 2000 and 2009, adding 383,195 residents. Its estimated 2009 population was 8.39 million.

Click here for a database with population breakdowns for all 19,507 communities.

The Census Bureau issued revised 2009 estimates for 19,507 cities, incorporated towns and similar communities. These figures are not to be confused with the results of the 2010 census, which aren't scheduled to be released until next year.

Here are the 10 U.S. communities with the biggest drops in raw numbers during the nine-year period:

1. New Orleans, loss of 129,824
2. Cleveland, loss of 46,094
3. Chicago, loss of 44,749
4. Detroit, loss of 40,349
5. Pittsburgh, loss of 22,791
6. Buffalo, loss of 22,408
7. Memphis, loss of 14,103
8. Baltimore, loss of 13,736
9. Flint, Mich., loss of 13,468
10. Dearborn, Michigan, loss of 13,128

Thirteen communities gained at least 100,000 residents in nine years:

1. New York, gain of 383,195
2. Houston, gain of 284,199
3. Phoenix, gain of 271,221
4. San Antonio, gain of 213,752
5. Fort Worth, gain of 184,239
6. Charlotte, gain of 136,479
7. Los Angeles, gain of 136,442
8. Atlanta, gain of 122,099
9. Austin, gain of 118,137
10. Raleigh, gain of 117,150
11. Dallas, gain of 110,640
12. North Las Vegas, Nevada, gain of 108,856
13. Gilbert, Arizona, gain of 107,373