Over the past decade, Louisiana has experienced significant industrial investment alongside persistent challenges for workers, communities, and public health.
A new report from The Data Center in partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), Pathways to Prosperity: Louisiana 2026, takes a closer look at these trends — grounded in data, and focused on what they mean for people and communities across the state.
This work is part of a long-standing collaboration with NCoC. The Pathways to Prosperity series builds on NCoC’s robust data infrastructure and the advocacy network developed through the Pandemic to Prosperity series and the Civic Health Index — connecting data to action in communities across the country.
What we found is clear: while investment has surged, the benefits have not consistently reached Louisiana families — and the impacts of pollution and health risk remain significant. But the data also points to something equally important: opportunity. Opportunity to align investment with job growth, to reduce harmful exposures, and to improve health outcomes across the state.
The below three graphics highlight key insights across three areas:
Economy: Where investment has not yet translated into broad-based economic gains
Pollution: Where exposure is highest — and where reducing it could have the greatest impact
Health: Where risks are elevated, and many outcomes are preventable
These snapshots are just an entry point. The full report offers deeper analysis across each of these areas, grounded in data and designed to inform more effective decision-making.
I invite you to explore the full report and consider how these insights can support your work.
Thank you for engaging with this work.
Dr. Allison Plyer
Chief Demographer, The Data Center + Co-Chair of the Census Quality Reinforcement Task Force at NCoC
