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Alternative And Additional sources for population data

Past and present population numbers are estimates. Numbers for the population in the future are forecasts or projections. Because the population is continuously changing as a result of births, deaths, and migration, assumptions must be made about these patterns in order to arrive at a reasonable estimate of its size and composition.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s intercensal estimate data used in the graphs and tables in this section were selected because they give detailed characteristics of the population down to the county level for the time period from the last census to the present. Using these data we are able to show detailed information on the composition of the population by age, gender, race, and ethnicity. However, other estimates may better suit some users’ needs than the estimates we’ve given.

Below are links to alternative credible sources of population estimates and forecasts for the 7-county region, the State of Minnesota, and the cities in Minnesota.

ESTIMATES
To arrive at a population estimate for the years between censuses, demographers typically take the population count of the most recent census and project forward the population based on the most recent information they have about births, deaths, and patterns of migration. Some organizations supplement this information with other administrative records. For example, they may use information on school enrollment, housing vacancy rates, or housing unit permits.

Provided by the Metropolitan Council
Metropolitan Council prepares local population and household estimates for the Twin Cities 7-county region. These estimates are the official population and household estimates used for State government purposes (The Metropolitan Council estimate methodology.)
Twin Cities region 2006 population and household estimates
Twin Cities region historical population and household estimates
(Prepared by Metropolitan Council and available from the MN State Demographic Center)

FORECASTS:
Social and economic trends and policies affect the size and composition of the future population because they affect the components of change: births, deaths and migration. To the extent that future social and economic trends are uncertain, demographic trends are as well. Some forecasts may be more useful for some geographic areas and time periods.

Provided by The Metropolitan Council
Population, household, and employment forecasts by detailed geographic area
Forecasting methodology

Provided by the State Demographic Center
Minnesota population projections: 2005-2035: Projected population by age and gender for Minnesota, counties, regions and metropolitan areas, June 6, 2007.
Minnesota household projections, 2005-2035: Projects number and type of households for Minnesota counties from 2005 to 2035, August 20, 2007.

Provided by the U.S. Census Bureau

State Interim Population Projections by Age and Sex: 2004 - 2030

Important Note: While we use the Census Bureau intercensal data for our most recent population estimates (2000-2006), several of the key measures on this site use American Community Survey (ACS) data administered by the U.S. Census Bureau. The ACS provides estimates of demographic, housing, social, and economic characteristics every year( ACS information and estimate methodology.) The ACS produces counts associated with the survey proportions by multiplying the proportions taken from the survey results by an independently estimated total population produced by the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program. These counts, like the survey proportions, contain sampling error. For this reason we rely on the Population Estimates Program’s intercensal estimates program for our demographic profile of the region rather than using the ACS data.