Population

Data Series Description

Population data published on this page is from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP). It covers the country, Metropolitan/Micropolitan Areas and counties dating back to 1970 depending on the data history available for areas.

The Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program produces estimates of the population for the United States, its states, counties, cities, and towns, as well as for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its municipios. Demographic components of population change (births, deaths, and migration) are produced at the national, state, and county levels of geography. Additionally, housing unit estimates are produced for the nation, states, and counties.

PEP annually utilizes current data on births, deaths, and migration to calculate population change since the most recent decennial census and produce a time series of estimates of population, demographic components of change, and housing units. The annual time series of estimates begins with the most recent decennial census data and extends to the vintage year.

The following estimates are produced and released:

• National, state, and county total resident population and demographic components of population change
• National resident, household, resident plus Armed Forces overseas, civilian, and civilian noninstitutionalized populations by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin
• State and county resident population by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin
• Puerto Rico Commonwealth and municipio total resident population and demographic components of population change
• Puerto Rico Commonwealth and municipio resident population by age and sex
• Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area total resident population and demographic components of population change (Note: metro and micro areas are composed of one or more whole counties or equivalent entities. Producing metro and micro area population estimates involves the aggregation of the appropriate county-level population estimates.)
• City, town, and other subcounty area total resident population
• National, state, and county housing units

These estimates are used in federal funding allocations, as survey controls, as denominators for vital rates and per capita time series, and as indicators of recent demographic changes.

Geographic Definitions

Metropolitan/Micropolitan areas are constructed from constituent counties as delineated by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 2020. Delineation files can be found at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/about/delineation-files.html.

Getting More Detail

More detail about the Population Estimates Program can be viewed at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/about.html.

Report Release Dates

Data is published in July after the Census Bureau publishes county-level population estimates. The Census Bureau’s release schedule can be found at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/about/schedule.html.