The New Orleans Index at Ten: Persistent Low Wages in New Orleans' Economic Resurgence: Policies for Improving Earnings for the Working Poor

In the nearly ten years since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, causing the levees to fail and devastating the New Orleans economy, the region has recovered nearly all of its peak pre-Hurricane Katrina jobs and shows signs of continuing economic strength. Entrepreneurial activity has grown faster than the national average  and an influx of young professionals has helped reverse the decades-long brain drain, sparking a sense of optimism and evoking a narrative of resilience. Despite New Orleans’ economic resurgence, many workers are stuck in low-wage jobs.