1990s

• national
• state
• county
• place & county subdivision
• metropolitan areas
• puerto rico municipios
• household & housing unit
• terms & definitions

national

The Population Estimates Program produces monthly national population estimates by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin for the United States. These estimates cover four different populations: resident population, resident population plus Armed Forces overseas, civilian population, and civilian noninstitutional population. All reference dates in the monthly national estimates refer to the first of the month.

     

state

The Population Estimates Program produces for states each year: total population estimates, estimates by age and sex, and estimates by race and Hispanic origin. The release of total population estimates at the end of the calendar year also includes demographic components of change. In the spring, the Program releases population by age and sex, presenting tables for different age groupings as well as single year of age. A third release in the summer presents estimates by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin. All estimates are for the resident population unless noted otherwise. The reference date for state estimates is July 1.

     

county

The Population Estimates Program produces for counties each year: total population estimates and county estimates by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin. The release of total population estimates in the winter also includes demographic components of change. In the summer, the Program releases the estimates by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin. The reference date for county population estimates is July 1.

     

place and county subdivision

The Population Estimates Program (PEP) annually releases total population estimates for places and, in selected states, county subdivisions (minor civil divisions). The most recent release was in 2000, covering the years 1991 to 1999. The reference date for place and county subdivision population estimates is July 1. For the 1999 estimates time series, the 1990 base populations for all areas were updated for the first time since the 1990 Census. The new time series reflects boundary and other geographic changes. See "Geographic changes" below for additional information.

PEP produces estimates for all incorporated places; these places include cities, as well as towns, boroughs, and villages, depending on the state. PEP also produces estimates for governmentally functioning minor civil divisions, which are legally defined county subdivisions (see Population Estimates: Concepts). The population estimates shown in these tables do not reflect any subsequent modifications brought about through the formal challenge process.

1990 and 1999 Population of Cities with Populations of 100,000 or greater	Sorted by 1999 population (28k)
	Sorted by 1990 to 1999 Percent Growth (28k)
1990 and 1999 Population of Cities with Populations of 10,000 or greater	Sorted (within state) by 1999 Population [ Uncompressed (295k) | Compressed (89k) ]
	Sorted (within state) by 1990 to 1999 Percent Growth [ Uncompressed (295k) | Compressed (89k) ]
1990 and 1999 Populations, With Numeric and Percent Population Change	Places [ Uncompressed (2.1M) | Compressed (525k) ]
	These files are compressed. They must be uncompressed before use. For information on using WINZIP and PKZIP/PKUNZIP see our PKZIP information page.
	County Subdivisions (Minor Civil Divisions)
maps	Cities Over 10,000 Population, Growth or Decline 1990-1999 [PDF 282k]
	[PDF] or denotes a file in Adobe’s Portable Document Format. To view the file, you will need the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader available free from Adobe.
Annual Time Series of Population Estimates, 1991 to 1999, and 1990 Census Population	Incorporated Places (Sorted Within State)
	Incorporated Places (Sorted Within County)
	County Subdivisions (Minor Civil Divisions)
	Places and County Subdivisions (Minor Civil Divisions)
	See geographic changes to places, county subdivisions, and counties since 1990. See population estimate changes for places and county subdivisions in 1999 as brought about through the challenge process. See terms, definitions, and errata (7k)
methodology	Subcounty Population Estimates (12k)

     

metropolitan areas

The Population Estimates Program releases metropolitan area total population estimates in odd-numbered years, using current metropolitan areas as defined by the Office of Management and Budget. The most recent release was in 2000, covering the years 1991 to 1999. The reference date for metropolitan area population estimates is July 1.

• More information about Metropolitan Areas and New England County Metropolitan Areas
• Documentation/Definitions (8k)

     

puerto rico municipios

The Population Estimates Program releases Puerto Rico municipio total population estimates and demographic components of change each year. The reference date for these estimates is July 1.

A municipio is the governmental unit that is the primary legal subdivision of Puerto Rico; the Census Bureau treats the municipio as the statistical equivalent of a county.

     

household and housing unit

The Population Estimates Program each year produces estimates of households, housing units, distribution of households by age of householder, and persons per household, by state. The reference date for these estimates is July 1.

     

terms & definitions

What is a population estimate?

The Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program (PEP) produces July 1 estimates for years after the last published decennial census (1990), as well as for past decades. Existing data series such as births, deaths, Federal tax returns, medicare enrollment, and immigration, are used to update the decennial census base counts. PEP estimates are used in Federal funding allocations, in setting the levels of national surveys, and in monitoring recent demographic changes. A methodology reference accompanies most of our population estimates offerings.

How are estimates different from projections?

There is not a distinct dichotomy between population estimates and population projections, but there are some differences in time reference and derivation. Estimates usually are for the past, while projections typically are for future dates. Estimates generally use existing symptomatic data, for example, (births, deaths, migration), collected from various sources. Projections must assume future trends for fertility, mortality, and other demographic processes. At the Census Bureau, the population projections use the latest available estimates as starting points. In our current product offerings the user may see both an estimate and a projection available for the same reference date, which may not agree because they were produced at different times. In such cases, estimates are the preferred data.

Revisions to estimates and geographic detail

With each new issue of July 1 estimates, PEP revises estimates for years back to the last census. Previously released estimates become superseded. Revisions to estimates are usually due to input data updates, changes in methodology, or legal boundary changes. The frequency of estimates and availability of demographic detail vary by geographic level.

Why does the Census Bureau produce estimates?

The legal requirement for the Census Bureau to produce subnational population estimates is given in Title 13 of the U.S. Code. Title 13 states that: "During the intervals between each census of population required under section 141 of this title, the Secretary, to the extent feasible, shall annually produce and publish for each State, county, and local unit of general purpose government of fifty thousand or more, current data on total population and population characteristics and, to the extent feasible, shall biennially produce and publish for units of general purpose government current data on total population." The reason for producing estimates is given in Section 183 of Title 13: "Except as provided in subsection (b), for the purpose of administering any law of the United States in which population or other population characteristics are used to determine the amount of benefit received by State, county, or local units of general purpose government, the Secretary shall transmit to the President for use by the appropriate departments and agencies of the executive branch the data most recently produced and published under this title."

In other words, the Census Bureau produces subnational estimates for use in the allocation of funds to state, county and local governments. For this reason, the Census Bureau produces population estimates for general-purpose functioning governments. These governments have elected officials who can provide services and raise revenue. In addition to states and counties, incorporated places and minor civil divisions also serve as general-purpose functioning governmental units.