370 likes | 470 Views
Accessing Census Bureau Population Estimates for the United States. Ryan Burson Population Division U.S. Census Bureau July 16, 2014. Overview. What do we mean by “estimates?” What estimates do we provide? Why do we produce them? How are they produced? When are they available?
E N D
Accessing Census Bureau Population Estimates for the United States Ryan Burson Population Division U.S. Census Bureau July 16, 2014
Overview • What do we mean by “estimates?” • What estimates do we provide? • Why do we produce them? • How are they produced? • When are they available? • Where can you find them? • How do the estimates differ from American Community Survey estimates?
What Do We Mean by “Estimates?” • The official measures of population and housing units between censuses • Based on the previous decennial census • Produced using administrative records data • Made for prior dates, usually 6 to 12 months earlier • Monthly and annual (July 1)
What Estimates Data do We Provide? • Postcensal (current vintage) • Historical (previous vintages) • Intercensal • Evaluation
Why Do We Produce Estimates? • Federal mandate (U.S.C. Title 13) • Data Uses • Allocation of federal funds • Controls for federal surveys • Current Population Survey (CPS) • American Community Survey (ACS) • Program planning for public and private services
How Do We Produce Population Estimates? • National, state, county population • Cohort-component method P2 = P1 + B - D + NM where : P1 = Population at time 1 P2 = Population at time 2 B = Births D = Deaths NM = Net migration • Subcounty population (cities and towns) • Distributive housing unit method County population is distributed to subcounty parts based on updated estimates of housing units.
When Are Estimates Data Available? Schedule for Vintage 2013 Estimates
Intercensal Estimates • A special type of historical estimates we produce once a decade. • Are considered more accurate than previous postcensal estimates for the same years. • Annual estimates are controlled to the beginning and ending decennial census counts for the decade.
How Do the Population Estimates Differ From American Community Survey Estimates? • American Community Survey population estimates are controlled to the official population estimates. • ACS estimates are often not as current, and do not always agree with the official estimates. • ACS estimates are 3-year or 5-year averages for smaller areas. • ACS estimates are available for subjects not included in the official estimates (i.e., other social and economic characteristics).
Same as official estimate Official estimate = 6.1% Official estimate = 33.6
Web Address and Contact Information www.census.gov/popest (301) 763-2385 thomas.r.burson@census.gov