Hurricane Katrina Evacuees, March 2006

In March 2006, evacuees identified in Current Population Survey households represented about 1.0 million persons 16 and over. About 53.6 percent of the group was in the labor force and about 44.8 percent were employed. About 561,000 (55 percent) of the evacuees identified in the survey were again living in their pre-Katrina residences; the unemployment rate for that group was 5.3 percent, compared to 34.7 percent for those who were living elsewhere. See table below.

Employment status in March 2006 of persons 16 years and over who evacuated from their August residence, even temporarily, due to Hurricane Katrina 1/

[Numbers in thousands, not seasonally adjusted]
Employment status in March 2006 Total Residence in March
Same as in
August		 Different than
in August

Civilian
noninstitutional
population

 1,024 561 463

Civilian labor force

 549 339 210

Participation rate

 53.6 60.4 45.4

Employed

 458 321 137

Employment-population ratio

 44.8 57.2 29.7

Unemployed

 91 18 73

Unemployment rate

 16.5 5.3 34.7

Not in labor force

 475 222 253

1/ Represents persons in the civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and over who resided in households that were eligible to be selected for CPS. These data are not representative of the total evacuee population because they do not include children or people residing in shelters, hotels, places of worship, or other units out of scope for CPS. The total number of evacuees estimated from the CPS may change from month to month as people move in and out of the scope of the survey and because of sampling variability.

Note: These data use population controls that have been adjusted to account for interstate moves by evacuees.

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Last Modified Date: May 2, 2006