Census and Demographics Flashcards
Demographics Trends
Our country is becoming older and more diverse
The non-Hispanic white population will become a minority (47%) by 2050, increasing more slowly than other racial and ethnic groups.
The nations older population will more than double in size from 2005 through 2050
2010 Decennial Census Population
The 2010 Decennial Census of Population and Housing included a variety of changes from previous years. One of the largest changes is the discontinuation of the long form. With the long form eliminated, households only received the short form with 10 questions.
To avoid undercounting, the Census Bureau enlisted thousands of groups such as churches, charities and other organizations to promote the importance of participating in the court.
2000 Decennial Census of Population
The 2000 Decennial Census of Population and Housing was mailed to each household using the 1990 Census address information, US postal service files and in metropolitan statistical areas, the local update of census addresses.
Approx. 17% of households received the long form, which represented the sample population
Approx. 83% of housholds received the short form. the 2000 census short form was the “shortest” since 1820. It addressed only seven subjects; name, age, gender, race, hispanic ethnicity, relationships between household members, and whether the home was rented or owned.
Additionally, the 2000 Census for the first time, allowed respondents to select more than one race that they identify as.
US Census Rate of Response
in 1990 and 2000, 65% of US households responded to the initial Census by mail. in 2010, 74% of us households responded by mail. This was then followed up with phone calls and in person census workers.
Urbanized Area (Census)
The Census Bureau defines an urbanized area wherever it finds an urban nucleus of 50,000 or more people. These urbanized areas may or may not contain any individual cities of 50,000 or more. In general , they must have a core with a population density of 1,000 persons per square mile and may contain adjoining territory with at least 400 persons per square mile. Urbanized areas have been delineated using the same basic threshold (50,000) for each decennial census since 1950, but procedures for delineating the urban fringe are more liberal today. In 2010, 71% of Americans lived in 486 urbanized areas.U
Urban Cluster
Urban clusters have at least 2,500 but less than 50,000 persons and a population density of 1,000 persons per square mile. This delineation of built-up territory around small towns and cities started in the 2000 Census. in 2010, 9.5% of the US population lived in 2,087 urban clusters.
Metropolitan Statistical Area
(MSA) includes at least one city with 50,000 or more inhabitants, or an urbanized area (of at least 50,000 inhabitants), and a total metropolitan popuilation of at least 100,000.
Micropolitan Statistical Area
(MSA) has a pop. of more than 10,000 people and less than 50,000 people. This includes a central county and adjacent counties that have a high degree of social and economic integration as measured by commuting.
Census Designated Places
(CDP) is the equivalent of an incorporated place for data purposes. This is for settled concentrations of population that are not incorporated.
Consolidated MSA
(CMSA) made up of several PMSAs. An example is the Dallas-Fort Worth Consolidated Metropolitan area. Dallas and fort worth are each primary metropolitan statistical areas.
Core Based Statistical Area
(CBSA) defined by the US office and budget to provide data description for areas where there is a core area with at least 10,000 people that when combined with other adjacent communities is socially and economically integrated.
Megalopolis
in 1961, Jean Gottman published Megalopolis, a book about the 300 mile long urban area between Boston and Washington DC. The Oxford dictionary of geography defines the term as “any many-centered, multi-city, urban area of more than 10 million inhabitants, generally dominated by low-density settlement and compelx networks of economic specialization”. The term megacity refers specifically to the megalopolist areas with more than 10 million people.
Census Tract
Typically has a population between 2000 and 8000 people. It is the smallest area where all information is released
Census Block
The smallest level at which Census data is collected. there are typically 400 housing units per block
Census Block Group
A group of census blocks. They generally contain 600-3000 people and are used present data and control block numbering
Minor Civil Division
(MCD) a unit only used in 29 states and usually corresponds to a municipality
Census County Divisions
used in the 21 states that do not have MCDs
Tribal Designated Statistical Area
a unit drawn by tribes that do not have a recognized land area. These are defined independently of the standard county-based census delineations.
Standard Hierarchy of Census Geographical Entities
Nation, Regions, Divisions, States, Counties, Census Tracts, Block Groups, Census Blocks
Threshold Population
A term that is under a number of government programs to determine program eligibility. For example, the Phase II Stormwater requirements automatically apply if a city meets the minimum threshold population. Another example Is the Threshold population to qualify to receive Community Development Block Grant Funds.
Census Trends
The nation has grown from 76 million people in 1900 to 308 million in 2010 (more than 27 million people were added during the 2000’s).
of the 50 largest central cities in America, all but five saw their populations grow between 2000 and 2010
The US continued to urbanize, with 81% of the US population living in urban areas.
Fastest Growing States
Nevada (35%)
Arizona (25%)
Utah (24%)
Top 10 Fastest Growing Metropolitan Areas between 2000 and 2010
Cities with Biggest Gains and Losses between 2000 and 2010
- Michigan was the only state between 2000 and 2010 that lost population
American Community Survey (ACS)
This survey, which replaces the long form in the decennial Census, takes a sample of the population and projects the findings to the population as a whole. The ACS began on a nationwide basis back in 2005. The survey reaches 2.5% of the nations population each year (1 in 40 addresses, or 3 million households). The survey rotates annually so that no household receives the survey more than once every five years. Starting in 2006, data was available on an annual basis for all areas with a population of 65000 or more. For smaller areas, data is reported every three to five years.
One signficant difference between the long form and the ACS is that the ACS asks for income received in the last 12 months, which is done on a rolling basis, rather than just for the year preceeding the census year. A 2009 report from the Population Reference Bureau provides more information about the differences between the long form and ACS.
Baby Boomers
People born in the US between 1946 and 1964 are known as Baby Boomers. The name came about because there was an exceptionally high birth rate during the period. As this large group ages, issues of long-term care, accessibility and social security have become more prevalent in public policy
Generation X
These people were born between 1965 and 1976, which was a period of low birth rates
Generation Y (Echo Boom or millennials)
These are the children of baby boomers. These people were born between approximately 1977 and 2000. The exact years of this generation vary depdning on the source. These are generally children born in the 1980s and 90s
Generation Z
These are children born after 2000. The exact years of this generation vary by source.
