New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is a diverse, welcoming, and rapidly expanding city, with a comfortable climate, and a rich culture that thrives on music, entertainment, and cuisine.

Population

New Orleans is the 49th largest city in the U.S. with over 395,000 residents. In fact, over 1 million people live in the New Orleans metro region, accounting for approximately a quarter of the state's population. Recent college graduates represent a growing portion of the city's population, with approximately 1 in 3 New Orleans residents in their 20s or 30s, and residents are racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse. Tourism, healthcare, and education are the city's main economic drivers, and New Orleans has 14 colleges and universities, including Tulane University, the LSU Health Science Center, the University of New Orleans, Loyola University of New Orleans, and Xavier University at New Orleans.

Climate

New Orleans is subtropical with an average temperature of nearly 70 degrees. Winters are mild and rarely approach freezing, with the last noteworthy snowfall in 2008. The average temperature is 53 degrees in January, and 83 degrees in July and August.

Activities

Everyone will find an enjoyable way to spend their time when not focused on research and learning. Some of the world's best sandy beaches are <1.5 hours away. There are many sports to watch and enjoy year-round, including professional football and basketball. Running is a breeze on St. Charles Ave., and there are numerous running events annually. There is also a growing community of bicyclists. There are many outdoor sports leagues for playing soccer, softball, kickball, basketball, ultimate, volleyball, and cornhole. Mardi Gras includes a season of parades. There are hundreds of highly-rated restaurants too. Community, music, and cultural events are frequent.