A lot has changed in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina decimated large parts of the city and killed over 1,800 people due to the federal government's failed response in 2005.

Now, 10 years later, many parts of the city have been rebuilt, and there has been a substantial growth of charter schools. Another big difference in the city is the surge in the Latino population over the last decade.

Many Latino workers traveled to New Orleans in the weeks and months following the storm to aid in the hurricane relief effort. However, after they helped clean and reconstruct the city, experts said that many decided to stay. This, in turn, has resulted in an increase in the Latino population.

"The Hispanic community in general has exploded," said Mayra Pineda, executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, according to NBC News.

"The Latino community was very involved in cleaning and construction to the area. The contribution was very, very important. After the recuperation came the influx. Many stayed," Pineda continued. "Then came the entrepreneurs."

Back in 2000, the Census showed that Latinos made up 3.1 percent, or about 14,826, of the population in the New Orleans. Meanwhile, most identified themselves as other than Mexican, Puerto Rican, or Cuban.

However, in 2010, the Latino population increased to 5.2 percent, which equates to about 18,051 residents. Plus, more people identified as Mexican.

In addition, there has been a long road toward acceptance and reconciliation as the Latino community slowly integrates into the city's culture.

Alfredo Carrera, a carpenter in New Orleans, said he came from Mexico City, like many other Latinos, to New Orleans to help the cleanup in 2006. However, he was still subjected to police harassment. He also received threats about being reported to immigration. Nonetheless, he decided to stay.

"They (New Orleanians) are always happy," he explained. "They always find a way to not think about what will happen tomorrow. (New Orleans) reminds me of Mexico City, it's busy and bustling and people are happy."