By Topic

Population

The Population topic provides an understanding of population size and composition by characteristics such as age, gender, and race. Changes in population are the result of births, deaths, and migration of people into and out of a community or geographic area. Population growth or decline has implications on the job market, housing, education, and health care.

Understanding the age structure of a community is essential to community planning. Age distribution suggests patterns of growth or decline. An older population in a community suggests negative population growth, which may cause implications for economic development, workforce, and service programming. A much younger population suggests potential for growth, but also an increased need for jobs, housing, childcare, and education.

By understanding the racial and ethnic composition of a population, community leaders can benefit from each group’s strengths and perspectives. In addition, having accurate knowledge can help leaders overcome and/or prevent racial and ethnic divisions within a community.

Total population is an indicator representing the number of people residing in respective geographic areas.