Census and Population Flashcards
Linear Method
The linear method uses the change in population (increase or decline) over a period of time and extrapolates this change to the future, in a linear fashion.
Exponential and Modified Exponential Method
The exponential method uses the rate of growth (or decline), i.e., the percentage change in population over a period of time to estimate the current or future population. A modified exponential projection assumes there is a cap to the change and that at some point the growth will slow or stop, resulting in an S-shaped curved line.
Gompertz Projection
The Gompertz Projection is a further modification of the modified exponential, where the growth is slowest at the beginning and speeds up over time.
Symptomatic Method
The symptomatic method uses any available data indirectly related to population size, such as housing starts, or new drivers licenses. It then estimates the population using a ratio, such as the average household size (from the U.S. Census).
Step-Down Ratio
This method uses the ratio of the population in a city and a county (or a larger geographical unit) at a known point in time, such as the decennial Census.
Distributed Housing Method
Uses the Census Bureau data for the number of housing units, which is then multiplied by the occupancy rate and persons per household. This method is reliable for slow growth or stable communities but is less reliable in communities that are changing more quickly.
Cohort Survival Method
The cohort survival method uses the current population plus natural increase (more births, fewer deaths) and net migration (more in-migration, less out-migration) to calculate a future population. Can be broken into cohorts (ie. male vs. female)
Long-form vs. Short-form Census
Approximately 17% of households received the long form, which represented the sample population.
Approximately 83% of households 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 by the householder.
Census Response Rates
In 1990 and 2000, 65% of U.S. households responded to the initial Census by mail. In 2010, 74% of U.S. households responded by mail. This was then followed up with phone calls and in-person Census workers.
Census Tract population
Between 2,000 and 8,000 people
Urbanized Area
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 500 persons per square mile. In 2000, 68% of Americans lived in 452 urbanized areas.
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 is new for the 2000 Census. In 2000, 11% of the U.S. population lived in 3,158 urban clusters.
Metropolitan Statistical Area
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 population of at least 100,000.
Micropolitan Statistical Area
has a population 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
is the equivalent of an incorporated place for data purposes. This is for settled concentrations of population that are not incorporated.
