WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Census Bureau today released population estimates as of July 1, 2009, for the nation, each state and the District of Columbia by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin.
The new estimates are not 2010 Census population counts. Those come out in mid 2011. Rather, they are based on 2000 Census data and updated by using administrative records to estimate components of population change — namely births, deaths, and domestic and international migration. Annual estimates for the 2000 to 2009 period are provided.
These are the last state estimates to use 2000 Census results as a base. The 2011 population estimates will be the first in the estimates series to be based on the 2010 Census population counts.
In December, the Census Bureau will deliver the 2010 Census state population counts to the president, to be used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. By April 1, 2011, the Census Bureau must release counts by race and Hispanic origin for counties, cities and other small geographic areas so that states can proceed with redistricting, in accordance with Public
“Census numbers govern the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal funds each year and serve as the baseline for future post-census population estimates,” Census Bureau Director Robert Groves said. “The estimates allow us to track the changing population of states and smaller jurisdictions between censuses. When an area’s population ages or grows younger overall, for example, local officials can document the changes and address the possibility of special needs.”
Also released today were July 1, 2009, population estimates by age and sex for Puerto Rico.