The census tract population data were revised to match Census Bureau Vintage 2024 county population data. Overall changes from last year’s Vintage 2023 were small, but they may affect cancer statistics, especially for adults ages 90 and older, whose 2024 population estimates were approximately 1-2.5% higher across all race/ethnic groups. This upward revision appears to reflect population aging, as well as a small overall increase in the total U.S. population. Revisions may be greater for smaller geographic areas.

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These population data are available upon request with agreement to certain standard data use conditions.

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Geographic Boundaries and Recommended Use

For the first time, census tract populations are available for both Census 2010 tract boundary (2006-2019 data years) and Census 2020 tract boundary (2010-2024 data years).

  • Mixed 2010/2020 tract boundaries are recommended for analyses of long-term trends by tract attributes, because underlying attribute data are not available in one definition across all years (2006-2017 data are available only in 2010 tract definition, whereas 2018-2022 data are available only in 2020 tract definition).
  • A single set of tract boundaries should be used when studying trends for a specific tract or tract-based area (for example, cancer reporting zones), so that the geographic areas stay consistent over time.
  • When one set of tract boundaries is used, 2020 tract boundaries may be preferable, as they support the most recent statistics.

    • The U.S. census tract population estimates are produced by Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. (W&P) with support from NCI through a contract and are available to anyone who requests them and agrees to certain standard data use conditions.

    These census tract population data are based on a hybrid regression, demographic, and proportional model jointly developed by the NCI, W&P, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR). The new population estimates match the Census Bureau's Vintage 2024 bridged single-race population estimates for 2020-2024, intercensal population estimates produced by W&P for 2010-2019, and Census Bureau's intercensal population estimates for 2006-2009 when tracts collapsed to counties. Uncertainties about these estimates are not reflected. Cautions should be exercised in using these estimates, especially when the sample is small. Refer to W&P’s technical documents for 2010 (PDF, 64 KB) or 2020 (PDF, 145 KB) to learn more about the methods used.

    The population estimates available for request include, for each U.S. census tract,

    • annual residential population estimates by age group (0, 1-4 years, 5-9, 10-14, ..., 80-84, 85-89, and 90 and older),
    • race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native, Non-Hispanic Asian Pacific Islander, and Hispanic of any race),
    • sex (female and male),
    • and for the year 2006 to 2019 in the Decennial Census 2010 census tract boundaries and 2010 to 2024 in 2020 boundaries.

    All population estimates are defined using the Decennial Census 2010 census tract boundaries.

    Text data files are available for download for analysis using your own statistical software or using SEER*Stat (you must use the SEER*Prep software to create an database for use in SEER*Stat).

    Feedback requested: As part of this release, we welcome any feedback on these census tract data products. Please email seercustomdata@imsweb.com.

    Suggested citation if text files are used

    2006-2019 (2010 tract geographies)

    Populations - Total U.S. (2006-2019), Census Tract Estimates by Race/Origin Controlling to Vintage 2024 <2010 Tract Geographies>, National Cancer Institute, DCCPS, Surveillance Research Program, released April 2026. Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. Washington, D.C. Copyright 2026.

    2010-2024 (2020 tract geographies)

    Populations - Total U.S. (2010-2024), Census Tract Estimates by Race/Origin Controlling to Vintage 2024 <2020 Tract Geographies>, National Cancer Institute, DCCPS, Surveillance Research Program, released April 2026. Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. Washington, D.C. Copyright 2026.

    Suggested citation if SEER*Stat files are used

    2006-2019 (2010 tract geographies)

    Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program (www.seer.cancer.gov) SEER*Stat Database: Populations - Total U.S. (2006-2019), Census Tract Estimates by Race/Origin Controlling to Vintage 2024 <2010 Tract Geographies>, National Cancer Institute, DCCPS, Surveillance Research Program, released April 2026. Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. Washington, D.C. Copyright 2026.

    2010-2024 (2020 tract geographies)

    Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program (www.seer.cancer.gov) SEER*Stat Database: Populations - Total U.S. (2010-2024), Census Tract Estimates by Race/Origin Controlling to Vintage 2024 <2020 Tract Geographies>, National Cancer Institute, DCCPS, Surveillance Research Program, released April 2026. Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. Washington, D.C. Copyright 2026.