FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POPULATION ESTIMATES

How do the population estimates differ from the Virginia Employment Commission’s population projections?

Estimates and projections are really two different animals. Estimates refer to the present or the recent past. Projections look to the future. Estimates are usually more accurate than projections because they are based on real rather than extrapolated data. Even for the Cooper Center's provisional population estimates, the input data are only extrapolated for a year, while projections commonly deal with periods of 5, 10, or even 20 years into the future.

Are the estimates on this site based on corrected 2000 Census counts?

Yes. All estimates for the current decade will be based on the 2000 counts and will reflect the latest available revisions.

Why are some estimates provisional and some final?

Not all data series are available at the same time. “Provisional” estimates are based all or in part on input data that are themselves estimated. "Final" estimates are based on the actual (not estimated) data series.

What data are used to generate the estimates?

Currently, the estimating process uses:

• an estimate of the housing stock,
• school enrollment in grades 1-8,
• the sum of personal and dependent exemptions on state tax returns,
• a 3-year sum of births,
• the number of licensed drivers,
• the population in a variety of group quarters,
• the revised 2000 census counts.

How are these data used?

They are elements in an equation derived from regression analysis. See a more complete description of the estimating procedure.

What’s the SLCPE?

The SLCPE, or State-Local Cooperative Program for Population Estimates, is an informal organization that facilitates communication between the Demographics & Workforce Section of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and Virginia's local governments.

Why does the SLCPE exist?

The SLCPE exists because local officials have valuable information about their localities that can not only explain some of the trends indicated by the population estimates but also contribute information that can improve them considerably.

Who belongs?

Membership in the SLCPE consists of the Demographics & Workforce Section staff who produce the county/city population estimates and a representative from each locality that wishes to participate. Local government representatives are appointed by government officials, usually the chief executive officer or highest ranked elected official..

What’s the role of local representatives?

Local SLCPE representatives serve as the contact point for all issued related to the county/city population estimates. They check the input data and provide background information about their local populations..