2010 Census Data

Census Update

The 2010 Census data is beginning to trickle out. The data releases, which began in December and concludes in 2014, will provide data from over 130 million households for a host of analysis projects. There are, however, some other Census Bureau data releases coming up regarding the American Community Survey (ACS). While the decennial census is a snapshot of one day each decade and provides data at a variety of geographic levels, the ACS is a continuous sample survey (meant to replace the Census Long Form data) and while is does not count everyone, it does provide estimated data from a sample of a given population. Below is a listing of planned release dates for selected Census data products. For further information please visit www.census.gov or contact Brett Isom.

Planned Release Date Data Product Lowest level of Geography
Released in September 2009 ACS (1 year) Geographies with population greater than 65,000
Released in December 2005-2009 ACS (5 Year) Geographies with population greater than 65,000
Released in December 2010 Population estimates States (1st 2010 Census data release)
Released in February 2010 PL 94-171 Blocks
May 2011 2010 Demographic profiles Places and Functioning Minor Civil Divisions
June - Aug 2011 Summary File 1 Blocks
Dec 2011 - Apr 2012 Summary File 2 Census Tracts
October 2012 Urban/Rural update Blocks
July - Aug 2013 Refined CBSA updates Principal cities
April 2013 - Sep 2013 2010 Pop & Housing Unit Reports Places

The PL 94-171 Census data for Alabama was released in February and contains basic population and housing characteristics for reapportionment and redistricting. The table below was compiled to show population change between 2000 and 2010 for the counties and incorporated areas within the RPC service area. As shown, the region's population increased by over 7% with the majority of that growth occurring in Shelby (+36%) and St. Clair (+29%) counties. Area municipalities had an overall residential increase exceeding 100,000 or +15%, with the Town of Margaret, located in St. Clair County, with the largest percentage increase of 279% and Hoover with the largest numeric increase of 18,877.

Population Data

Data for Alabama show that the five most populous incorporated places and their 2010 Census counts are Birmingham, 212,237; Montgomery, 205,764; Mobile, 195,111; Huntsville, 180,105; and Tuscaloosa, 90,468. Birmingham decreased by 12.6 percent since the 2000 Census. Montgomery grew by 2.1 percent, Mobile decreased by 1.9 percent, Huntsville grew by 13.8 percent, and Tuscaloosa grew by 16.1 percent.

The largest county is Jefferson, with a population of 658,466. Its population decreased by 0.5 percent since 2000. The other counties in the top five include Mobile, with a population of 412,992 (increase of 3.3 percent); Madison, 334,811 (increase of 21.0 percent); Montgomery, 229,363 (increase of 2.6 percent); and Shelby, 195,085 (increase of 36.1 percent).

Source Census Press Release

Population Change Data »

The White/Black Population: 2010 -- This 2010 Census brief provides a portrait of the white and black populations in the United States and discusses distribution from the national level down to counties, metropolitan statistical areas and places. The report discusses the size and growth of these populations and analyzes patterns by Hispanic origin. The brief contains tables and figures (including maps) that display regional, state and county patterns.

Same-Sex Couples: 2010 -- New information on same-sex couples from the 2010 Census will be released, including the number of married couples and a set of alternative estimates of same-sex spouses and unmarried partners at the national and state levels. These estimates were developed to account for data capture errors that make it difficult to measure same-sex couple households. Estimates from the 2010 American Community Survey (ACS), along with a brief analyzing the ACS estimates, will be released simultaneously.

Commuting in the United States: 2009 -- This report contains detailed analysis of commuting patterns for the nation and metro areas based on the 2009 American Community Survey. It provides a wide range of additional cross-tabulations - by means of transportation, average travel time, time of departure and a host of demographic characteristics - that cannot be found in the standard American Community Survey tables.

Intercensal Population Estimates: 2000 - 2010 -- A series of annual estimates covering the 2000-2010 period, produced by modifying the estimates prepared previously for this period to reflect 2010 Census results. Reference date is July 1 for each year, plus a set of estimates with an April 1 date for 2000 and 2010. This information is available for several demographic characteristics and levels of geography.

Consolidated Federal Funds Report: 2010 and Federal Aid to States for Fiscal Year 2010 -- These two reports provide an overview of virtually all federal spending at the national, state and county levels. These statistics show spending for procurement contracts, salaries and wages, direct payments, loans and insurance, as well as federal grants to state and local governments. This report is proposed to reach its end this year and may not exist in the future, so read it here.

New Economic Indicator Database Search Available from Census Bureau -- Statistics from 12 economic indicators are now easy to access and easier to use with the new economic indicator database search. With the release of the Quarterly Financial Report for retail trade, all 12 of the Census Bureau's economic indicators are accessible in this user-friendly Internet tool. It provides an easy way to create statistical tables in ASCII text or time series charts in spreadsheet format. Users can select an indicator and choose statistics by item, time period and other dimensions using drop-down menus. Please note that information is mostly available at the national level. Access this database here.

Additional Data: To access data from multiple geographies within the state, such as census blocks, tracts, voting districts, cities, counties and school districts, visit American Factfinder: http://factfinder2.census.gov.