[Population-census] Demographic and Socio-Economic Estimates for 2002

[Ken Darga]

The Census Bureau released detailed demographic and socio-economic
tabulations today for states, selected Congressional Districts, and
large MSA's, counties, and cities.   Most of the tables are available
for 2000, 2001, and 2002.


Source and Comparability of Data.

The new tabulations are based on a pilot implementation of the American
Community Survey (ACS),  When fully implemented, the ACS will provide
detailed demographic and socio-economic information for every
governmental unit in the nation, as well as many statistical units such
as metropolitan areas, political districts, and census tracts.  Annual
data from the ACS will replace the Census long form.

In terms of subject matter, the new tabulations are similar to "Summary
File 3" from the 2000 Census,  with data on income, poverty, education,
employment, language, national origin, age-race-sex-Hispanic origin,
household structure, marital status, homeownership, disability, etc.

However, the new tabulations differ from decennial census data in
several ways, such as:
* Information is available only for states, certain Congressional
Districts, and the largest MSA"s, counties, and cities.  
* All tables exclude people living in "group quarters" such as prisons,
mental hospitals, college dormitories, nursing homes, etc.
* Residency standards and definitions of income and certain other
variables differ somewhat from the Census.
* Because of a smaller sample size, the new data have much higher
levels of sampling error than the Census or than future implementations
of the American Community Survey.

Earlier data from the pilot imeplementation of the ACS were published
as the "Census 2000 Supplemental Survey" and the "2001 Supplemental
Survey"  Data from these surveys are highly comparable to the new data.



Covered Communities in Michigan

In addition to statewide data, tables are available for:

* 7 counties (Genesee, Ingham, Kent, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and
Wayne).

* 1 city (Detroit).

* 7 MSA's and PMSA's (Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Grand
Rapids-Muskegon-Holland, Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Lansing-East Lansing,
and Saginaw-Bay City-Midland).  These tabulations are based on the old
metropolitan designations made in 1993 and do not reflect the new
metropolitan and micropolitan designations that were made this year.

* 7 Congressional Districts (Districts 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.)


Available Tables

The Census Bureau website includes tabular profiles, narrative
profiles, rankings, estimated change from prior years, over 100 "core
tables," and several hundred "non-core tables."

Data and other related information can be viewed or downloaded from:
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/index.htm 

A link to this web address also appears on the census and statistical
website of the department of History Arts and Libraries:
www.michigan.gov/census 

_________________________________________
NOTE:
Today's data release contains population estimates by age group, race,
sex, and Hispanic origin.  However, like the rest of the data in this
release, these estimates do not cover people who live in group quarters,
who represent roughly 3% of Michigan's population.

The Census Bureau has also prepared estimates of the total population
of states and counties by age, race, sex, and Hispanic origin. 
Publication of these estimates has been delayed, but you will be
informed as soon as more information is received about their release.

-- Kenneth Darga, State Demographer
   Library of Michigan
   DargaK at michigan.gov