NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Louisiana is leading the nation in population loss, supplanting North Dakota in percentage of decline, new U.S. Census data shows.

If the trend continues, Louisiana could rank last in population growth when the 2010 Census is completed.

Between 2000 and 2008, Louisiana's population fell about 58,000, or 1.3 percent, the Census' annual updates show. The only other state to lose people over the period, North Dakota, saw a drop of 0.1 percent.

The interim Census figures indicate Louisiana faces serious problems with outmigration, demographers say. A string of hurricanes exacerbated the slide.

"Going on 30 years, we've had a steady flow of people out the door," said Elliott Stonecipher, a Shreveport demographic analyst and pollster.