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How to Calculate Intercensal Year Populations

In most countries, systematic counting of population is performed at regular intervals of time. This counting is called census. In the US, census if performed every 10 years. This exact population number can then be used to project the population in the subsequent years. This is called postcensal estimation. Since there is a gap of 10 years between two censuses, the population in any given years between those 10 years must be estimated based on different census data. This process is called intercensal estimation.

Instructions

- 1
  Find the exact population of the census performed after the year for which the intercensal estimation is to be performed. For example, to estimate the population in 2007, find the population figure for the 2010 census. Call this number C and note it down on a piece of paper. Use the census bureau's website to find this number.
- 2
  Find the postcensal estimate for the census year. If the intercensal population for 2007 is to be estimated, this will be the postcensal estimate for 2010. This is the estimate that census bureau made after the 2000 census. You can find this number on the census bureau's website. Call this E and note it down on paper.
- 3
  Find the postcensal estimate for the year for which the intercensal population is to be estimated. This is the estimate that the census bureau made after the previous census. For example, if 2007 intercensal population is to be estimated, this will be the estimate that was done after the 2000 census. Call this P and note it down on paper.
- 4
  Divide the year number after the last census for the intercensal estimation by 10 and call it U. For example, if performing estimation for 2007 and the last census was done in 2000, then U = 7/10 = 0.7.
- 5
  Divide C by E using a calculator. Press x raised to y button on the calculator and enter the value of U. Press Enter. This will raise C/E to the power of U. Do not reset the calculation. Press the multiplication sign on the calculator and enter the value of P. Press enter to find the required value of the intercensal population.

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