Social Trends

Some users of Census data may be surprised to learn what the 2010 Census did not ask, because many detailed items about demographics, economics and housing now are included in the American Community Survey. This posting includes a link to an article by sociologist Andrew Beveridge about the differences between Census 2010 and the ACS, as well as links to questionnaire forms.

New York City filed its official challenge to 2010 Census results today, stating that the count missed at least 50,000 people, in large part because occupied units were erroneously termed vacant.

Australia’s 2011 Census is this week, marking a century of census-taking in that country. The form includes a question about religion, unlike the U.S. Census form, and the statistics agency will report same-sex marriages for the first time.

A report on population change in the European Union concluded that 20 nations had population gains in 2010, while seven had population decreases. Overall, the European Union population grew by 1.4 million, to 502.5 million as of January 2011.

A new Population Reference Bureau report summarizes key findings from the first wave of Census 2010 data, including trends in the population of children, as well as race and ethnic groups. The Brookings Institution recently published reports using 2010 Census data to discuss aging and race and ethnic change.