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Census Research

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute is the lead agency for three Census Bureau partnership programs: the State Data Center, the Federal State Cooperative for Population Estimates, and the Federal State Cooperative for Population Projections. The Institute is the state resource for insights into Census Bureau programs and products through these partnerships.

2206, 2023

U.S. Census Bureau Estimates for Age, Vintage 2022

June 22nd, 2023|

Each year, the Census Bureau produces population estimates at varying levels of geography. The age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin estimates at the national, state, and county levels are the final release of the 2022 vintage estimate package.

2505, 2023

Insight: 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics Data Release

May 25th, 2023|

By Mallory Bateman and Emily Harris Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. The wait is over!* The Census Bureau released the long-awaited 2020 Demographic and Housing characteristics file today, providing detailed insights into the age, race, Hispanic Origin, households, and housing units of the United States population. This data provides a baseline that our team and countless others will use to inform their work[...]

1805, 2023

U.S. Census Bureau Estimates for Cities and Housing Units, 2022

May 18th, 2023|

On May 18th, 2023, the Census Bureau released population estimates for incorporated places (cities and towns) and housing units at the state and county level for July 1, 2022. The city-level population estimates utilize locally submitted building permits to estimate population. They are then controlled to the county estimate totals, which were published in March 2023.

301, 2023

Insight: New 2020 Census Urban Areas Released

January 3rd, 2023|

By Mallory Bateman Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. […]

301, 2023

Insight: New 2020 Census Urban Areas Released

January 3rd, 2023|

By Mallory Bateman Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. […]

3011, 2021

Insight: 2020 1-Year ACS Experimental Data Released

November 30th, 2021|

By: Mallory Bateman New data, with caveats The Census Bureau today released the 2020 1-Year American Community Survey (ACS) Experimental Estimates in 54 summary tables for the nation and states and the accompanying Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS). Due to data collection issues and nonresponse bias created during COVID-19, the quality of the data available did not meet the Census Bureau’s standards for a full release. Respondents in 2020 typically had higher educational attainment, higher incomes, and were more likely to own their own homes than the total population. The Census Bureau used administrative data to help inform weighting in[...]

1611, 2021

Insight: Shifting Balance Points – Mean Center of Population Release

November 16th, 2021|

By: Eric Albers and Mallory Bateman Mean Center of Population On Tuesday, the Census Bureau released the new mean center of population for the United States based on the 2020 Census. This measure represents the middle point of the country from a population-weighted perspective or the point at which an imaginary, weightless, rigid, and flat surface would balance if each person weighed the same. The mean center of population is different than the geographic center of the nation. Since the first decennial census in 1790, the mean center of population has shifted west and south. In 2020, the mean center[...]