Census Data for the Population of the United States
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Census Data for the Population of the United States
Distribution of Population in 2010
The census carried out in 2010 presented the distribution of the population of the United States as discussed below. According to the census, there were 308.7 million individuals residing in the United States in April 2010 (Stewart, 2017). The increase in the population was at 27.3 million compared to the census carried out in the year 2000. This represented the third-largest increase in population in the history of the United States. In that year, 2010, children less than 18 years comprised of 24 percent of the population, which is the all-time low ever recorded. This is because population aging is not specific to the United States as the share of the population under 18 years is lower than in the United States in many developed countries.
In the 2010 census, reports claimed that the census may have missed 1.7 percentage of children under the age of 18 years and 2.5 percentage of African Americans. Historically, the decennial census missed a greater percentage of minorities and kids. In the same census, a total of 50 million Hispanic individuals occupied the United States which can be represented as one in six residents of the United States. Minorities contributed 92 percent of the overall population growth of the United States and Hispanics were responsible for over half the increase.
According to the census report, racial and ethnic groups did not appear to be evenly distributed across the age groups (Stewart, 2017). While almost half the population under 18 years were racial or ethnic minorities, two thirds of the age allowed to vote were non-Hispanic white. The west also overtook the Midwest as the runner up in population by region just like it had overtaken the Northeast 20 years before that. Among the states which are 50 in total, the fastest population growth rate was experienced in Nevada (35 percent) while the largest numerical increase was experienced by Texas (4.3 million).
THE TOTAL POPULATION IS 308.7 MILLION
Regions with the Highest Concentration of Young and Old People
Generally, the total number of young people in the United States is estimated at 75 million. Those aged between ages of 21 and 37 are the country’s largest generation to be working. The city with the highest number of concentrations of young people is expected to experience economic growth because young people are crucial for local growth. The area around Provo, Utah, has the highest number of young people. Florida is reported to have the largest share of old people in its population.
Participation Rates
The census tracts in urban areas witnessed lower rates of participation than areas that were not within these urban areas (“US Census Bureau”, 2017). The median participation rates were estimated to be 43 percent as tracts in cities of areas that were not urban were at 49 percent. The participation rates across all areas were rising. There was also a notable positive correlation between the participation rates and percentage of the population that was white at the county level. However, there was negative correlation between the rate of participation and the percentage of the population that was Black or Hispanic. At the county level too, the rates of unemployment were relating negatively with the participation rates.
America’s Changing Population
The population of the United States is expected to grow older somehow according to the reports given by experts (Short, 2016). The current population that is of not less than 65 years of age is at 13 percent and it is expected to grow up to 20 percent by the year 2050. The population of the young people and those who are working is expected to keep going up. The data provided by census bodies suggests that the age of between 15 and 64 is expected to shift up to 42 percent between now and the year 2050.
Generally, the population of the United States is expected to have grown by an additional 100 million people by 2050 according to the census data provided in 2010. It is also estimated that more than one million people will move to the United States in a year from poor nations. This is because, America is the destination preferred by the majority of people from all around the world in terms of education, work, and lifestyle. It is projected that by 2050, the majority of population in the United States will be made up of people that will not be of white descent. The minority population of different racial composition that currently stands at 30 percent, will be at 50 percent by 2050.
Geographic Entities
Geographic entities help in showing the relationship between the administrative, legal, and statistical boundaries maintained by the United States Census Bureau. There is a hierarchy to enable the easy way of viewing how different geographic entities relate with one another. These geographic entities include congressional districts, states, counties, and statistical areas. These entities provide the guideline for designing, selecting, collecting, tabulating, and disseminating the information collected by the bureau.
Changing Structure of Census Over Time
The census conducted in 1790, the first time ever to conduct a census, comprised of the following information. The name of the head of the household was required and the number of white males of ages above 15. The census also required the number of males under 16 years, number of free white females, and number of slaves in the household. These questions have changed over time by dropping some completely, altering others, and eliminating others.
Data collection methods have also changed over time as the previous methods used are completely different from those used today. The first census applied only basic methods like asking questions, filling questionnaires, and tabulation methods. As science advanced, more methods that were better in efficiency, accuracy, and saving time sprung into the scene. For example, in 1940, the Census Bureau introduced statistical sampling to be used in carrying out the census process. In 2010, the bureau launched the American Community Survey which manages the census process to date and eliminates the traditional methods of questionnaires and other forms. As advancements in technology are made, the Census Bureau incorporates changes in its processes too.
Comparison of Various Data Collection Methods
References
Short, J. R. (2016). USA: evidence from the 2010 Census. International Journal of Population Research, 2012.
Stewart, C. (2017). Census of population and housing – Publications – U.S. Census Bureau. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html
US Census Bureau. (2017, March 30). Decennial census data. The United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/data.html
US Census Bureau. (2017, March). Data. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/data.html