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Demographic analysis is a technique used to develop an understanding of the age, sex, and racial composition of a population and how it has changed over time through the basic demographic processes of birth, death, and migration. Demographic Analysis (usually abbreviated as DA) also refers to a specific set of techniques for developing national population estimates by age, sex, and race from administrative records to be used to assess coverage in the decennial census. The DA estimates are used to produce estimates of net coverage error, which are calculated as the percent difference between the DA estimates and the census counts.

The DA population estimates are constructed using vital statistics records on births and deaths, estimates of net international migration, and Medicare enrollment data (for the population aged 75 and over). Traditionally, the DA estimates have been produced by sex and single year of age for the race categories Black and non-Black. Starting in 2010, the DA program produces estimates by Hispanic origin (Hispanic/Non-Hispanic) for a limited number of ages. New data sources, changes in the racial and ethnic make-up of the nation, and evolving patterns of international migration present both challenges and opportunities for DA.

2020 Demographic Analysis
  • 2020 Demographic Analysis
  • 2010 Demographic Analysis
  • 2000 Demographic Analysis
  • 1990 Demographic Analysis
2020 Demographic Analysis

On December 15, 2020, the DA estimates for April 1, 2020 were released at a news conference. This release included the three official sets of DA estimates for the Black Alone/Non-Black Alone, Black Alone or in Combination/Non-Black Alone or in Combination, and Hispanic/Non-Hispanic populations by single year of age and sex. A range of estimates—Low, Middle, High—was produced for each set to account for uncertainty.

Background materials, such as presentations and articles on DA developed by demographers external and internal to the Census Bureau, are also available at the link below.

Methodology

Tables

Visualizations

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