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 to the Census Bureau's Vintage 2020 bridged single-race population estimates for 2010-2020, and intercensal population estimates for 2006-2009 when tracts are 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 (PDF, 75 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, and 85 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),
- and gender (female and male) for the years 2006 to 2020.
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: Populations - Total U.S. (2006-2020), Census Tract Estimates by Race/Origin Controlling to Vintage 2020 <2010 Tract Geographies>, National Cancer Institute, DCCPS, Surveillance Research Program, released January 2023. Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. Washington, D.C. Copyright 2022.
Suggested citation if SEER*Stat files are used: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program (www.seer.cancer.gov) SEER*Stat Database: Populations - Total U.S. (2006-2020), Census Tract Estimates by Race/Origin Controlling to Vintage 2020 <2010 Tract Geographies>, National Cancer Institute, DCCPS, Surveillance Research Program, released January 2023. Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. Washington, D.C. Copyright 2022.