Data in the News - Mar. 28, 2008

Rural Areas continue to lose Population   (Mar. 13, 2008)
Despite rapid population growth in parts of the U.S. South and West, 43 percent of all counties lost population since 2000-nearly twice the number of counties that lost population during the 1990s.

The data, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's newly released 2007 Population Estimates, reveal a wide demographic divide between fast- and slow-growing areas.

In counties with moderate growth/loss, international migration--and the children of immigrants--help to keep the population afloat. Domestic migrants continue to leave these areas while new immigrants come in to take their place. Finally, in areas that lost significant numbers of people, the minimal population gains through natural increase and international migration cannot offset the large outflow of domestic migrants seeking opportunities elsewhere. ”    from the Population Reference Bureau

CtSDC Note:


Our reports about on-going changes at the U.S. Census Bureau and how these can affect our ability to compare data sets are now collected on a separate webpage, Data Considerations, where we will index these for you.

2010 PSAP Program announced

     The Boston Regional Office of the Census Bureau is looking for people to join the 2010 Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). People in this program will review and suggest modifications to the boundaries for block groups, census tracts, census county divisions, and census designated places for the 2010 Census, and subsequent Census surveys.

     There is a draft schedule available now. Participants can nominate themselves now through the second quarter of calendar 2008, and then the Boston Office will decide on the final participant list. The materials for PSAP are scheduled to be distributed in Q4-2008.

     To express your interest in participating in this program, please contact Vince Pito Geographer, US Census Bureau, 617-223-3613.

     Final Definitions of Track and Block Groups were just published in the Federal Register, and have been downloaded onto CtSDC website:

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