Demographics: A Guide to Methods and Data

Demographics has become a critical dimension of the work of many journalists, business professionals, and government analysts and managers. Yet those who are not professional demographers often find locating and effectively using demographics difficult. Written by leading authorities, Demographics: A Guide provides a single-volume resource that is readily understandable by everyone. It describes and demonstrates how students and working professionals can obtain, use, and communicate demographic information effectively. Consisting of ten chapters organized into four sections on basic demographic concepts, definitions and methods, this book includes sources of demographic and economic data as well as explanations and examples of how to effectively and accurately use them.

Steve H. Murdock is Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Management Science and Statistics at the University of Texas, San Antonio Chris Kelley is the editor of DallasNews.com, Web site of the Dallas Morning News Jeffrey Jordan and Beverly Pecotte work at the Institute for Demographic and Economic Research at the University of Texas. San Antonio Beverly Pecotte is coauthor most recently of The New Texas Challenge: Population Change and the Future of Texas (Texas A&M 2003) Alvin Luedke is Associate Professor of Rural Ministry and Associate Dean of Missional Pastors at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN

List of Figures

xi

List of Boxes

xi

Preface

xiii

1 Introduction: Demographics in the Media, Business, and Government

1

(10)

What Are Demography and Demographics?

1

(4)

What Will Be Examined in this Text and Why?

5

(2)

Organization of the Text

7

(1)

Limitations of the Work

8

(3)

2 Basic Concepts, Definitions, and Geography of Demography

11

(12)

Basic Dimensions and Processes

11

(1)

Details of the Dimensions

12

(8)

Geography of Demography

20

(2)

Conclusions

22

(1)

3 Basic Demographic Measures and Methods

23

(36)

General Measures

23

(4)

Use of Rates

23

(3)

Descriptive Statistical Measures

26

(1)

Measures of the Major Demographic Processes and Variables

27

(18)

Measures of Population Change

27

(1)

Measures of the Demographic Processes

27

(6)

Fertility Measures

27

(1)

Mortality Measures

28

(5)

Migration Rates

33

(1)

Measures of Population Distribution

33

(8)

Measures of Population Composition

41

(4)

Age and Sex Composition

41

(3)

Race/Ethnicity

44

(1)

Household, Family, and Marital Characteristics

44

(1)

Educational Characteristics

44

(1)

Economic Characteristics

45

(1)

Controlling for Demographic Effects

45

(7)

Direct and Indirect Standardization

47

(3)

Rate Decomposition

50

(1)

Multiple-Decrement Life Tables

50

(2)

Population Estimates and Projections

52

(6)

Methods of Population Estimation

54

(2)

Methods of Population Projection

56

(2)

Conclusions

58

(1)

4 National Sources of Demographic and Socioeconomic Data

59

(18)

Demographic Data Sources

59

(10)

U.S. Bureau of the Census

59

(7)

National Center for Health Statistics

66

(1)

National Center for Education Statistics

66

(1)

Other Federal Agencies

67

(1)

Private and Nonprofit Organizations

67

(2)

Socioeconomic Data Sources

69

(6)

U.S. Bureau of the Census

69

(1)

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

70

(1)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

71

(1)

Internal Revenue Service

71

(1)

International Trade Administration

72

(1)

National Agricultural Statistics Service

72

(1)

Federal Reserve System

73

(1)

Other Federal Sources

73

(1)

Selected Private Data Firms

74

(1)

Conclusions

75

(2)

5 State and Local Data Sources

77

(12)

Major State and Local Agencies

79

(8)

Health Agencies

80

(1)

Human Service Agencies

81

(1)

Education Agencies

81

(1)

Agriculture Agencies

82

(1)

Fiscal and Economic Agencies

82

(1)

Commerce and Business Agencies

83

(1)

Labor Force and Workforce Agencies

83

(1)

Criminal Justice Agencies

84

(1)

Transportation Agencies

85

(1)

Natural Resource Agencies

86

(1)

Tourism Agencies

86

(1)

Building and Construction Records

86

(1)

Other Sources of State and Local Data

87

(1)

Conclusions

88

(1)

6 General Principles of Effective Communication of Demographic and Other Quantitative Data

89

(14)

General Principles for Policy-Relevant, Data-Based Presentations

89

(1)

Preparing to Present or Report Data

90

(4)

Principle 1: Know the Audience and What They Need, Want, and Expect

90

(1)

Principle 2: Get to Know the Subject Matter as Thoroughly as Possible and Get to Know Those Who Know Much More

91

(2)

Principle 3: Prepare Your Own Materials and Tailor Them to the Audience

93

(1)

Principle 4: Be Realistic About What You Are Doing

93

(1)

Presenting the Data

94

(7)

Principle 5: Let the Data Tell the Story and Avoid Providing Your Own Preliminary Evaluations

94

(1)

Principle 6: Explain Any Anomalies that Might Exist in the Data and Other Limitations in the Use of the Data

95

(1)

Principle 7: Intermix Verbal, Graphical, and Demonstration-Based Materials

95

(1)

Principle 8: Provide Comparisons Using a Context that Is Relevant to the Audience

96

(1)

Principle 9: Maintain a Dedication to Balance in the Presentation and Interpretation of Data

96

(5)

Conclusions

101

(2)

7 Principles for Interpreting Demographic Data and Data-Based Analytical Findings

103

(10)

Principle 1: Be Sure to Select the Appropriate Items (variables or measures) for the Appropriate Geographic Areas

103

(1)

Principle 2: Check for Comparability (definitional, areal, temporal)

104

(1)

Principle 3: Check for Sources of Error

105

(2)

Principle 4: Assess the Demographic and Socioeconomic Context

107

(1)

Principle 5: Compare Results Against Expected Trends

108

(4)

Conclusions

112

(1)

8 Examples of the Use and Misuse of Demographic Data

113

(16)

Media Uses of Demographic Data

113

(3)

Business Uses and Misuses of Demographic Data

116

(8)

A Mis-sited Site or a Misunderstood Business?

116

(4)

Determining the Market for a Long-Term Care Facility

120

(3)

Assessing Hiring Practices by a Defense Contractor

123

(1)

Governmental Uses and Misuses of Demographic Data

124

(3)

Demographic Analyses in Water Use Planning

124

(3)

Conclusions

127

(2)

9 Summary and Suggestions for Maintaining and Expanding Your Knowledge Base

129

(6)

Summary

129

(1)

Suggestions for Maintaining and Expanding Your Knowledge Base

130

(3)

Become a Regular User of the Census Bureau's and Your State Data Center's Web Sites

131

(1)

Subscribe to a Few Demographic Publications

131

(1)

Network with Other Demographic Data Users

132

(1)

Attend or Audit a Demography Course at a Community College or University

132

(1)

Do Not Limit Your Level of Knowledge to the Minimum Necessary to Survive

132

(1)

Conclusions

133

(2)

Appendix A Glossary of Major Demographic Terms and Measures

135

(20)

Appendix B Selected Internet Sites for Demographic Data and Communication Resources

155

(12)

Appendix C How to Work with the Media: A Guide for Government, Business, and Demographic Professionals

167

(4)

Appendix D How to Work with Professional Demographers in Government, Academia, and Business: A Guide for News Media Professionals

171

(6)

References

177

(8)

Index

185

(8)

About the Authors

193

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Demographics: A Guide to Methods and Data Sources for Media, Business, and Government

Summary

Author Biography

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