A Louisiana Tech University researcher says 210,988 people live in Lafayette, a difference of 6,145 from the Jan. 15 estimate. LCG officials had appealed the original estimate of 204,843 residents, and information they provided led to the restated figure, according to a letter from Caroline Leung, who calculates Lafayette Parish's figures for the U.S. Census Bureau. Leung's May 29 letter was addressed to the state treasurer and copied to City-Parish President Joey Durel.
Leung says the new figure is in part based on housing unit data parish officials provided her.
Local officials disputed the January figure because the data is important information when applying for grants and related funding and could affect economic development efforts.
The Census Bureau will release its next population report in 2010.