Unlike the rest of the US populations along the Mississippi River have not been on a steady incline. Some towns are shrunk because less trade takes place along the river, while others have noticable dips after natural disasters effect the area. Many southern cities suffered a dip in the 2010 census, when the area suffered severe flooding associated with Hurrican Katrina. Because of both enviormentmental and economic factors these Communities have seen their populations change in unexpected ways.