NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New U.S. Census Bureau figures show Louisiana regained population in the three years after Hurricane Katrina.

But the estimated 4.4 million people in the state in July 2008 is less than in July 2005, the month before Katrina, and in 2000, for the last census.

There were an estimated 4.5 million in Louisiana in July 2005 and 4.47 million in April 2000.

Louisiana hit a low since 2000 of 4.2 million people. That was in July 2006, the summer after both hurricanes Katrina and Rita.