Bridged-Race Resident Population Estimates
United States, State and County
for the years 1990 - 2020

Bridged-Race Population Estimates Data Summary

Summary:   

The National Center for Health Statistics releases bridged-race population estimates of the July 1st resident population of the United States, for use in calculating vital rates. These estimates result from "bridging" the 31 race categories used in Census 2000, as specified in the 1997 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) standards for the collection of data on race and ethnicity, to the four race categories specified under the 1977 standards (Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, White). Many data systems, such as vital statistics, are continuing to use the 1977 OMB standards during the transition to full implementation of the 1997 OMB standards.

On the 1990-2020 query page, Vintage 2020 postcensal estimates of the July 1 resident population are available for year 2010 and later; intercensal estimates of the July 1 resident population are available for the years 1990-1999 and 2000-2009:

  • Postcensal estimates:
    Postcensal population estimates are estimates made for the years following a census, before the next census has been taken. Postcensal estimates are derived by updating the resident population enumerated in the decennial census using various measures of population change. Each year following the decennial census, the U.S. Census Bureau produces a series of postcensal estimates that includes estimates for the current data year and revised estimates for earlier years. Estimates for earlier years in a given series are revised to reflect 1) changes in the components of population change data sets (for example, a preliminary natality file is replaced with a final natality file), 2) challenges to the population estimates, and 3) changes in the estimation methodology. A series of estimates is referred to as a Vintage and the last year in a series is used to name it. For example, the Vintage 2020 postcensal series has estimates for July 1, 2010, July 1, 2011, July 1, 2012, July 1, 2013, July 1, 2014, July 1, 2015 July 1, 2016, July 1, 2017, July 1, 2018, July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020. Because of the revisions made to the estimates in each series, estimates for a given year from different series will differ.
  • Intercensal estimates:
    Intercensal population estimates are estimates made for the years between two completed censuses which take into account both censuses. Intercensal estimates are derived by adjusting the final postcensal series of estimates for the decade to account for differences between the enumerated April 1, census counts (from the census at the end of the decade) and the postcensal estimates of the April 1 population (from the final postcensal series). For example, after completion of the 2010 census, the postcensal estimates for the period between April 1, 2000 and April 1, 2010 were modified to account for differences between the April 1, 2010 census count and April 1 postcensal estimate (based on the 2000 census). The patterns of population change observed over the decade are preserved. Intercensal estimates supersede the postcensal estimates previously made for the time period. The 1990-1999 intercensal estimates are based on both the 1990 and 2000 census counts; the 2000-2009 intercensal estimates are based on the 2000 and 2010 censuses.

The Bridged-Race Population data on WONDER are updated annually to include the most recently available bridged-race population estimates. Earlier versions are maintained as separate online databases.

  • The 1990-2020 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2020 postcensal series, the revised 2000-2009 intercensal series, and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2019 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2019 postcensal series, the revised 2000-2009 intercensal series, and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2018 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2018 postcensal series, the revised 2000-2009 intercensal series, and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2017 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2017 postcensal series, the revised 2000-2009 intercensal series, and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2016 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2016 postcensal series, the revised 2000-2009 intercensal series, and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2015 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2015 postcensal series, the revised 2000-2009 intercensal series, and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2014 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2014 postcensal series, the revised 2000-2009 intercensal series, and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2013 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2013 postcensal series, the revised 2000-2009 intercensal series, and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2012 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2012 postcensal series, the revised 2000-2009 intercensal series, and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2011 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2011 postcensal series, the revised 2000-2009 intercensal series, and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2009 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2009 postcensal series and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2008 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2008 postcensal series and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2007 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2007 postcensal series and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2006 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2006 postcensal series and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2005 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2005 postcensal series and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2004 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2004 postcensal series and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2003 online database with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2003 postcensal series and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
  • The 1990-2002 data request with bridged-race estimates of the July 1 resident population from the Vintage 2002 postcensal series and the 1990-1999 intercensal series.
Source:    All of the population estimates in these online databases are bridged-race population estimates produced by the U.S. Census Bureau in collaboration with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and released by NCHS. See Data Source Information for more details. See also Suggested Citation below.

In WONDER:    You can produce tables, maps, charts, and data extracts. Request national, state and county bridged-race population estimates. You can limit and index your data by any and all of these variables:
  1. Location - National, Regional, State and County (no territories, regions only appear in Vintage 2005 and later years);
  2. Year - July 1st estimates for 1990 through last year of the series;
  3. Race - Bridged-race categories: Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, White;
  4. Ethnicity - Hispanic or Latino, Non-Hispanic;
  5. Sex (Gender) - Female, Male;
  6. Age - age groups (infants under 1 year, age 1-4 years, 5 year age groups through age 84, age 85 and older);
    - single-year of age through age 84 years (not available in 1990-2002).
Contents:    Bridged-race Population Estimates Data Request
Data Source Information
Additional Information
Suggested Citation
National, State and County Differences in 1990-1990 single-year age estimates
County-level Geographic Boundary Changes

Bridged-Race Population Data Request

Output:    You can produce tables, maps, charts, and data extracts.

Variables:   
  1. Location - National, State and County (no territories); Regions and Divisions in Vintage 2005 and later years only;
  2. Year - July 1st estimates for 1990 through last year of series;
  3. Race - Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, White;
  4. Ethnicity - Hispanic or Latino, Non-Hispanic;
  5. Sex (Gender) - Female, Male;
  6. Age - age groups (infants under 1 year, age 1-4 years, 5 year age groups through age 84, age 85 and older); single-year of age through age 84 years (not available in 1990-2002).
How?    The request screen has 4 sections. Work through these sections sequentially to form your data request in a step-by-step process. First-time users may wish to see what a results table looks like before forming a request, and can obtain the default data table simply by clicking on any of the SEND buttons on the request page. The data table produced by a data request appears on the Table screen. From the Table screen, you can return to the Data Request screen by clicking on the Request tab above the table. After you get your data results, click on tabs to go to the Chart and Map screens. Click on the Export button above the table to download a tab-delimited line listed file to your computer.

For more information, see the following:

Quick Start Guide;
Step 1, Organize and label results;
Step 2, Select location and time;
Step 3, Select demographics;
Step 4, Other Options.

'By-Variables'    Select variables that serve as keys (indexes) for organizing your data. See How do I organize my data? for more information.
Note:   To map your data, you must select at least one geographical location as a "By-Variable" for grouping your data, such as Region or State.
Help:    Click on any button labeled "Help", located to the right hand side of the screen at the top of each section. Each Control's label, such as the "Location" label next to the Location entry box, is linked to the on-line help for that item.
Send:    Sends your data request to be processed on the CDC WONDER databases. The Send buttons are located on the bottom of the Request page, and also in the upper right corner of each section, for easy access.


Step 1. Organize table layout:
Group Results By:   Select up to five variables to group (summarize, stratify, index) your data. See Group Results By below for more specifics and hints.
Title:   Enter any desired description to display as a title with your results.


Group Results By

Select up to five variables to group (summarize, stratify, index) your data. For example, you could select to group your data by State and by County. The list of variables includes:

  1. Location - National, State and County (no territories);
  2. Year - July 1st estimates for 1990 through last year of series;
  3. Race - Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, White;
  4. Ethnicity - Hispanic or Latino, Non-Hispanic;
  5. Sex (Gender) - Female, Male;
  6. Age - age groups (infants under 1 year, age 1-4 years, 5 year age groups through age 84, age 85 and older); single-year of age through age 84 years (not available in 1990-2002).
How?    See How do I organize my data? for more information.

Hints:   

  1. To make a map, you must "group results by" a geographic variable, such as Region or State, as the first "By-Variable." After you get the table, then click the Map tab.
  2. You cannot make charts when your data has more than two By-Variables.
  3. You cannot make charts for data grouped by State and also by County.
  4. When grouping by more than one geographic variable, select them in order of size. For example, group by region, and by state, and by county.
  5. You can only group data by Age Groups when the Age Groups radio button is selected under Step 3. Likewise, you can only group data by single-year "Age" values when the Age radio button is selected in Step 3.
Notes:   
  • Note that single-year ages are not available in the 1990-2002 online database.
  • The "By-Variable" options selected affect whether national, state or county level data are requested. You can pick between State or County data in step 4, because the single-year-of-age counts vary at the State and County levels for the years 1991-1999 (see the note on inconsistent totals below).
    • If the results are grouped by state (in step 1) or if a specific state is selected (in step 2), then population estimates are from the state data by "default", and there is no need to specify the state table (in step 4).
    • If the results are grouped by county (in step 1) or if a specific county is selected (in step 2), then county-level estimates are from the county data by "default", and there is no need to specify the county table (in step 4).

Step 2. Select location:

Limit your data request to specific locations here. The default settings are national data, the United States.

Location

Use this field to specify the location or locations to be included in the data request. You may select a single county or a group of counties, a single state or a group of states, one or more regions, or the total U.S. Be sure the button for the geographic list you want to use is checked when selecting location values.

How?  
  1. Click the round radio button to choose between Regions (includes Divisions, States and Counties) or States (includes Counties).
  2. See How do I use a Finder? for hints on how to search for and select your desired locations.
    • The default value is all locations (the United States).
    • See Finder Tool help for more hints.

Notes:   

  • About state and county level estimates:
    Selecting specific states or county locations affects whether state or county-level estimates are shown. For Vintage 2003 and later vintages, you can specify state or county estimates for single-year-of-age data (in step 4), because counts vary for state and county level single-year-of-age estimates for the years 1991-1999 (see the note on inconsistent totals below). The "default" table (in step 4) is determined by the following criteria:
    • If national data is requested, then the estimates are drawn from the national data table.
    • If the results are grouped by state, division or region (in step 1) or if specific states, divisions or regions are selected (in step 2), then estimates are from the state data table.
    • If the results are grouped by county (in step 1) or if specific counties are selected (in step 2), then estimates are from the county data table.
  • About Regions and Divisions:
    • Regions and Divisions include States and Counties.
    • Regions and Division are only available for the Vintage 2005 and later years.
    • The regions and divisions are from the United States Census Bureau.

      Region 1 - Northeast:

      • Division 1 - New England:    Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
      • Division 2 - Middle Atlantic:    New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania.

      Region 2 - Midwest:

      • Division 3 - East North Central:    Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin.
      • Division 4 - West North Central:    Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota.

      Region 3 - South:

      • Division 5 - South Atlantic:    Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia.
      • Division 6 - East South Central:    Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee.
      • Division 7 - West South Central:    Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas.

      Region 4 - West:

      • Division 8 - Mountain:    Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming.
      • Division 9 - Pacific:    Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington.

    • When you export the results of your data request, the location name and the codes are in separate columns.
    • To see the full list of locations and codes, group your data by Region and by Division.
  • About state and county codes:
    • All state and county codes in this data are Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) codes. The counties and county equivalents included on the population files change over time. See Location Changes for more information.
      • The 1990-2015 online database includes new names and FIPS codes for two counties, for all years 1990-2015:
        1. Wade Hampton Census Area, Alaska (02270) was renamed to Kusilvak Census Area, AK (02158) effective July 1, 2015. This change is retroactive in the data to the year 1990.
        2. Shannon County, South Dakota (46113) was renamed to Oglala Lakota County, SD (46102) effective July 1, 2015. This change is retroactive in the data to the year 1990.
      • The 1990-2009 and later online databases include data for these three additional counties, for the years 2000 and later:
        1. Petersburg Borough/Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02195),
        2. Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02198),
        3. Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska (FIPS code 02275).
      • The 1990-2014 and later online databases do not include data for the following county equivalent for 2010 and later:
        1. Bedford City, Virginia (FIPS code 51515).
      • The 1990-2009 and later online databases do not include data for the following counties for 2000 and later:
        1. Clifton Forge, Virginia (FIPS code 51560),
        2. Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02201),
        3. Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02232),
        4. Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area, Alaska (02280).
      • The 1990-2008 and later online databases include data for two additional counties, for the year 2000 and later: 
        1. Skagway Municipality, Alaska (FIPS code 02230) and
        2. Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02105).
      • The 1990-2008 and later online databases do not include data for the following counties for the years 2000 and later:
        1. Clifton Forge, Virginia (FIPS code 51560),
        2. Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02232).
      • The 1990-2002, 1990-2005 and later online databases include an additional county for the year 2000 and later:
        • Broomfield county, Colorado (FIPS code 08014).
        The 1990-2003 and 1990-2004 online databases do not include data for Broomfield county, Colorado.
      • The 1990-2002 and later online databases do not include data for this county for years 2000 and later:
        • Clifton Forge, Virginia (FIPS code 51560).
    • When you export the results of your data request, the location names and the FIPS codes are in separate columns.
    • To see the full list of locations and codes, group your data by State and by County.
  • About location changes:
    The counties and county equivalents included on the population files change over time. Please see Location Changes for more information.

Step 3. Select demographics and years:
Limit your data for any of the following data elements:
  1. Age Groups - Age Groups - (infants under 1 year, age 1-4 years, 5 year age groups through age 84, age 85 and over);
  2. Age - single-year of age through age 84 years and 85 years and over (not available in the 1990-2002 data)
  3. Sex (Gender) - Female, Male
  4. Race - Bridged-race categories: Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, White
  5. Ethnicity - Hispanic or Latino, Not Hispanic or Latino
  6. July 1st Estimates - July 1st estimate for each year in series

Age: Single-Year of Age or Five Year Age Groups

Population estimates are available both by single-year of age (not available for the Vintage 2002 estimates) and by 5-year age groups. Click the appropriate radio button to select either 5-year Age Groups or single-year-of-age cohorts through 84 years of age.
How?  
  1. See How do I change a "Check Box?" A "Radio Button?" to pick your preferred list of age values.
  2. See How do I select items from the list box? to select values.

Note:  The U.S. Census Bureau annually releases unbridged population estimates for five-year age groups and race at the county level (http://www.census.gov/popest/research/eval-estimates/eval-est2010.html). The Census Bureau does not release bridged-race or unbridged estimates by single-year of age at the county level due to concerns about the reliability of these estimates. However, these estimates are provided to the National Center for Health Statistics to meet programmatic needs such as the creation of age groupings that differ from the standard groupings used by the Census Bureau. Users of the single-year-of-age county-level bridged-race population estimates should carefully consider the limited reliability of these estimates.

Age Groups

The Age Groups field contains values for age groups: under 1 year, 1-4 years, 5-year age groups for ages 5 years through 84 years, and 85 years and over. Select any combination of values.

How?  
  1. Be sure the Age Groups radio button is selected. See How do I change a "Check Box?" A "Radio Button?" to pick your preferred list of age values.
  2. See How do I select items from the list box?.

Notes:

  • For the years 2000 and later, the Age Groups field is derived by summarizing the individual year age data into 5-year groupings.
  • When the data results are exported to a file, the Age Group Code is shown, as well as the sort sequence value.
  • The Age Group Code is PHIN compatible through age 84 years.

Code Description
01 LESS THAN 1 YEAR
01-04 1 TO 4 YEARS
05-09 5 TO 9 YEARS
10-14 10 TO 14 YEARS
15-19 15 TO 19 YEARS
20-24 20 TO 24 YEARS
25-29 25 TO 29 YEARS
30-34 30 TO 34 YEARS
35-39 35 TO 39 YEARS
40-44 40 TO 44 YEARS
45-49 45 TO 49 YEARS
50-54 50 TO 54 YEARS
55-59 54 TO 59 YEARS
60-64 60 TO 64 YEARS
65-69 65 TO 69 YEARS
70-74 70 TO 74 YEARS
75-79 75 TO 79 YEARS
80-84 80 TO 84 YEARS
85+ 85 YEARS or OVER

"Age" or Single-Year-of-Age

This field contains single-year of age values for 0, 1, 2, ..., 84 years and the value 85 for ages 85 years and over. This field is not available in the 1990-2002 online database. Select any combination of values.
How?  
  1. Be sure the Age button is selected. See How do I change a... "Radio Button?" to pick your preferred list of age values.
  2. See How do I select items from the list box?.
Notes:
  • The U.S. Census Bureau annually releases unbridged population estimates for five-year age groups and race at the county level (http://www.census.gov/popest/research/eval-estimates/eval-est2010.html). The Census Bureau does not release bridged-race or unbridged estimates by single-year of age at the county level due to concerns about the reliability of these estimates. However, these estimates are provided to the National Center for Health Statistics to meet programmatic needs such as the creation of age groupings that differ from the standard groupings used by the Census Bureau. Users of the single-year-of-age county-level bridged-race population estimates should carefully consider the limited reliability of these estimates.
  • About 1990-1999 State and County single-year-of-age estimates:
  • The code values displayed in data export files correspond to the ages. For example, the code value "0" (zero) is the age < 1 year, the code value "1" is 1 year of age, through the code value "84" for 84 years of age, and the code value "85+" for 85 years of age and over.

Gender

Select Male, Female or All values.

How?   See How do I select items from the list box?.
Notes:   
  • WONDER codes for gender are PHIN standards compliant.
  • When you export the results of your data request, the labels and the codes are in separate columns:
    F      Female
    M      Male

Race

This field contains values for the four bridged-race categories: American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, White. Select All Races or any combination of the values.

How?   See How do I select items from the list box?.
Notes:   
  • The labels and codes are shown in separate columns when data results are exported.
  • WONDER race category codes are PHIN compliant.
Code    Description
2106-3    WHITE
2054-5    BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN
1002-5    AMERICAN INDIAN or ALASKA NATIVE
A-PI    ASIAN or PACIFIC ISLANDER

Ethnicity

Select All Ethnicities or any combination of values: Hispanic or Latino, Not Hispanic nor Latino.

How?   See How do I select items from the list box?.
Notes:   
  • The labels and codes are shown in separate columns when data results are exported.
  • WONDER ethnicity category codes are PHIN compliant.
Code    Description
2186-5    NOT HISPANIC or LATINO
2135-2    HISPANIC or LATINO


Yearly July 1st Estimates

Pick any combination of years desired.
How?   See How do I select items from the list box?.

Step 4. Other options:
Export Results:    If checked, then query results are exported to a local file. More information on how to import this file into other applications can be found here.
How?   See Check Box.
Show Totals:    If checked, then totals and sub-totals display in the results table.
How?   See Check Box.
Show Zero Values:    If checked, then rows containing zero counts display in the results table. If unchecked, then zero count rows are suppressed.
How?   See Check Box.
Precision:    Precision is not available for this dataset because population counts are whole numbers.
Data Access Timeout:    This value specifies the maximum time to wait for the data access for a query to complete. If the data access takes too long to complete, a message will be displayed and you can increase the timeout or simplify your request. If you can't complete a request using the maximum timeout, contact user support and we will try to run a custom data request for you.
How?   See How do I select items from the list box?.
Data Table:    You can specify State or County data tables for single-year-of-age estimates for the years 1990-1999. This special option applies only to the Vintage 2003 and Vintage 2004 data requests. It is recommended that you obtain population denominators from the County single-year-of-age table when calculating rates with county-level data for the years before the year 2000, and from the State single-year-of-age table when calculating rates with state-level data for the years before the year 2000. Please see the notes below.
How?   See Radio Button.
Notes:
  • You can only obtain data from State or County tables when you pick single-year-of-age ("Age") data values, and when you select years between 1990-1999 (or "All Years").
  • For more information, see the section about inconsistent totals below.
  • The Default selection obtains national level estimates, with the following exceptions:
    • If the results are grouped by region, division or state or if specific regions, divisions or states are selected, then state-level estimates are shown as the "default."
    • If the results are grouped by county or if specific counties are selected, then county-level estimates are shown as the "default."
  • County:  
    • Select the County table to get county, state and national estimates from the County series of single-year-of-age estimates for years 1990-1999.
    • You can only select this option when you request single-year-of-age data for the years 1990-1999.
    • You should select the County table when you want estimates for the years 1990-1999 that are not grouped by (or limited to) County and/or single-year-of-age to be consistent with those estimates that are grouped by (or limited to) County and/or single-year-of-age.
    • When specific counties are requested, or when the data are grouped by County, then county-level estimates are reported. When the specific single-year-of-age selections are requested, or when the data are grouped by single-year-of-age, then single-year-of-age estimates are reported. In these cases, you need not specify the table.
  • State:  
    • Select the State table to get state and national estimates from the State series of single-year-of-age estimates for years 1990-1999.
    • You can only select this option when you request single-year-of-age data for the years 1990-1999.
    • You should select the State table when you want estimates for the years 1990-1999 that are not grouped by (or limited to) State and/or single-year-of-age to be consistent with those estimates that are grouped by (or limited to) State and/or single-year-of-age.
    • When specific states are requested (and no counties), or when the data are grouped by State (and not also by County), then state-level estimates are reported. When the specific single-year-of-age selections are requested, or when the data are grouped by single-year-of-age, then single-year-of-age estimates are reported. In these cases, you need not specify the table.

Data Source Information

All of the population estimates in these online databases are bridged-race population estimates produced by the U.S. Census Bureau in collaboration with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and released by NCHS, available from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm

To learn more about the methods used to derive bridged-race population estimates please refer to:

Methodology: Census 2000 Populations with Bridged Race Categories, published September 2003.

The data files used in each online data base are listed below. All data files can be downloaded from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm.

  • 1990-2020 database:
  • 1990-2019 database:
  • 1990-2018 database:
  • 1990-2017 database:
  • 1990-2016 database:
  • 1990-2015 database:
  • 1990-2014 database:
  • 1990-2013 database:
  • 1990-2012 database:
  • 1990-2011 database:
  • 1990-2009 database:
  • 1990-2008 database:
  • 1990-2007 database:
  • 1990-2006 database:
  • 1990-2005 database:
  • 1990-2004 database:
  • 1990-2003 database:
  • 1990-2002 database:
  • National, State and County 1990-1999 Single-Year Age Estimates
    • Methodological explanation:
      Most of the state and national population estimates in the bridged-race population data base are obtained by summing county population estimates. However, this is not the case for the single-year of age population estimates for 1990-1999. For the single-year of age estimates for these years, there is a set of county estimates, a set of state estimates, and a set of national estimates. State and national totals obtained by summing the single-year of age county population estimates differ slightly from the population estimates on the state and national single-year of age files. National population estimates obtained by summing the state single-year of age estimates differ slightly from the population estimates on the single-year of age national file. When single-year of age population estimates are requested, the By-variables selected determines whether the population estimates will be drawn from the county, state, or national single-year of age file. Note: single-year of age estimates are not available for the Vintage 2002 online database.

      For the single-year of age intercensal estimates there are separate national, state, and county files. Separate county, state, and national files are maintained because the original county-level single-year of age intercensal file had some population counts of -1 (due to rounding). It was not feasible to rake the file to remove the -1s, the solution was to convert the -1s to zeros. To minimize the impact of the conversion on subtotals and totals (conversion of the -1s to zero increases them), state-level and national-level files were created as follows: 1) the state-level file was created by aggregating the original county-level file (with the -1s) to the state-level and any -1s remaining after aggregation were converted to zero (n=0 to 13 in a given year), 2) the national-level file was created by aggregating the original county-level file (with the -1s) to the national level (no -1s remained after aggregation).

      Thus, national and state totals obtained from the single-year of age intercensal county file differ slightly from those obtained from the state and national single-year of age files and national totals obtained from the single-year of age intercensal state file differ slightly from those obtained from the national file. In addition, totals obtained from the single-year of age county and state intercensal files differ slightly from those obtained from the 5-year age group intercensal file. Totals obtained from the single-year of age national intercensal file agree with totals from the 5-year age group file.

      For the postcensal population estimates and for the 5-year age group intercensal population estimates, state and national estimates are derived by summing county population estimates. As a result, all totals and subtotals obtained for the postcensal population estimates and for the 5-year age group intercensal estimates are consistent with each other.
    • See National, State and County Differences below for a summary of how these differences are handled in WONDER.

Additional Information

Suggested Citation:    United States Department of Health and Human Services (US DHHS),
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS),
Bridged-Race Population Estimates, United States
July 1st resident population by state, county, age, sex, bridged-race, and Hispanic origin,
on CDC WONDER On-line Database.

Each original series of population estimates has a unique suggested citation. Please refer to Data Source Information to reference the original technical reference notes and citation for a specific series. See also Bridged-Race Population Estimates at the National Center for Health Statistics web site.

Contact:    NCHS welcomes comments and questions about the Population Estimates at PopEst@cdc.gov.
Notes:   
  • The potential for error is greatest for the smallest population groups, particularly the smaller race groups and county level estimates. Although efforts were made to use the best available data and methods to produce the bridged estimates, the modeling process introduces error into the estimates.
  • Changes in methodology for the Vintage 2012, Vintage 2009, Vintage 2008 and Vintage 2007 series of population estimates:
    The Census Bureau implemented changes in the methodology used to produce the following postcensal series of estimates: Vintage 2012, Vintage 2009, Vintage 2008, and Vintage 2007. For more information, see:
  • Postcensal population estimates are estimates made for the years following a census, before the next census has been taken. Postcensal estimates are derived by updating the population enumerated in the decennial census using various measures of population change.
  • Intercensal population estimates are made for the period of time between decennial census years after the second census is completed, and such estimates replace the previous population projections for the time period. The 1990-1999 bridged-race intercensal estimates, which represent a revision of the annual time series of July 1 county postcensal population estimates by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin, were produced by the Population Estimates Program of the U.S. Bureau of the Census with support from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). These intercensal population estimates are based on the bridged single-race estimates of the April 1, 2000 resident population developed by the Bureau of the Census in collaboration with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
  • National, State and County Differences for 1990-1999 single-year age estimates:
    Inconsistent totals result when county, state and national level data are compared for the 1991-1999 single-year-of-age populations. More information is available at:
    National, State and County 1990-1999 Single-Year Age Estimates
    July 26, 2004 release documentation
    The following notes summarize the effect of the differences on the online databases:
    • The Vintage 2003 and later years online databases include the July 26, 2004 release of population estimates for 1990-1999 with single-year ages. The county, state and national level population totals and sub-totals differ for the single-year ages in 1991-1999.
    • The national level estimates are consistent with the estimates in the April 15, 2003 release of the Bridged-Race 1990-1999 Intercensal Population Estimates with age groups.
    • It is recommended that you obtain population denominators from the County single-year-of-age table when calculating vital rates with county-level data, and from the State single-year-of-age table when calculating rates with state-level data.
    • You can explicitly select to obtain data from the County or the State tables when you are requesting single-year-of-age data for the years 1990-1999, in the Other Options section on the Request screen, see Data Table for more details.
    • The inconsistencies are summarized in the following table:
      Series Age Groups,
      All Years      		Single-Year Ages,
      1990-1999      		Single-Year Ages,
      2000-2003
      National (A)  Totals A Totals A Totals A
      State (B)  Totals A Totals B Totals A
      County (C)  Totals A Totals C Totals A
  • County Geography

    Please see County Geography Changes 1990 - 2020.

    Location changes at the county level are listed alphabetically below, including:

    • Alleghany county, Virginia (FIPS code 51005) includes the population of the former independent city of Clifton Forge city, Virginia (FIPS code 51560) for years 2000 and later, for all of the online databases.
    • Bedford City, Virginia (FIPS code 51515), formerly an independent city, merged with Bedford County (FIPS code 51019) on July 1, 2013. This change was implemented in Vintage 2014 and subsequent estimates series, retroactive to 2010. Therefore population data for Bedford City are available for all years in the 1990-2013 and earlier online databases, but only for 1990-2009 in the 1990-2014 and later online databases. On the 1990-2014 and later databases, there is a discontinuity in the Bedford County population estimates between 2009 and 2010 due to the addition of the Bedford City population.
    • Broomfield county, Colorado (FIPS code 08014), formed from parts of Adams county, (FIPS code 08001), Boulder county (FIPS code 08013), Jefferson county (FIPS code 08059), and Weld county (FIPS code 08123).
      • For the 1990-2002, 1990-2005 and later online databases, population data are available for Broomfield county, Colorado, for years 2000 and later.
      • For the 1990-2003 and 1999-2004 online databases, no population estimates are available for Broomfield county, Colorado.
    • Chugach Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code = 02063) was created from part of former Valdez-Cordova Census Area(FIPS code = 02261) effective January 02, 2019. Estimates for this area are available for years 2010-2020 in the 2020 series of population estimates, available in the 1990-2020 online database.
    • Clifton Forge city, Virginia (FIPS code 51560), formerly an independent city, merged with Alleghany county (FIPS code 51005). Population data are available for Clifton Forge city, Virginia only for the years 1990 through 1999.
    • Copper River Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code = 02066) was created from part of former Valdez-Cordova Census Area (FIPS code = 02261) effective January 02, 2019. Estimates for this area are available for years 2010-2020 in the 2020 series of population estimates, available in the 1990-2020 online database.
    • Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02105] was created in 2007 from part of the former Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02232). Population data are available for Hoonah-Angoon Census Area for years 2000 and later in the 1990-2008 and later online databases.
    • Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02158) was established effective July 1, 2015, when Wade Hampton Census Area (FIPS code=02270) was renamed Kusilvak Census Area and assigned FIPS code 02158. This change was made retroactive in the population estimates data to the year 1990 in the 1990-2015 online database and later online databases. Note that Wade Hampton, rather than Kusilvak continues to be used on NCHS birth and mortality files for this time period.
    • Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota (FIPS code 46102) was established effective May 1, 2015, when Shannon County, South Dakota (FIPS code=46113) was renamed Oglala Lakota County and assigned FIPS code 46102. This change was made retroactive in the population estimates data to the year 1990 in the 1990-2015 online database and later online databases. Note that Shannon County, rather than Oglala Lake continues to appear on NCHS birth and mortality files for this time period.
    • Petersburg Borough/Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02195): Petersburg Census Area was formed on June 1, 2008, from part of the former Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area (FIPS code 02280), and estimates for this area are available in Vintage 2009 and Vintage 2013. Effective January 3, 2013, Petersburg Census Area ceased to exist. Petersburg Borough (same FIPS code 02195) was formed from part of Petersburg Census Area and a mostly unpopulated part of Hoonah-Angoon Census Area (02105). This change was implemented in the Vintage 2014 and subsequent estimates series, retroactive to 2010. Population estimates for Petersburg Census Area are available for 2000 and later in the 1990-2009 to 1999-2013 online databases and for2000-2009 in the 1990-2014 and later online databases. Population estimates for Petersburg Borough are available for years 2010 and later in the 1990-2014 and later online databases.
    • Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02198) was formed on June 1, 2008 from the former Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Census Area, after most of Outer Ketchikan was lost to annexation by the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. This change was implemented in Vintage 2009 and subsequent estimates series, retroactive to 2000. Effective January 3, 2013, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area boundaries changed when it annexed part of the former Petersburg Census Area (FIPS code 02195) (estimated added population 613). This change was implemented in the Vintage 2015 and subsequent vintages, retroactive to 2010. Population data for Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area are available for 2000 and later on the 1990-2009 and later online databases. On the 1990-2015 data base, there is a discontinuity between 2009 and 2010 due to the addition of the Petersburg Census Area population.
    • Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02201) was ceased to exist effective June 1, 2008. The Outer Ketchikan area was annexed by Ketchikan Gateway Borough (FIPS code 02130), part was included in Wrangell City and Borough (FIPS code 02275), and the remainder was renamed Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area (FIPS code 02198). This change was implemented in Vintage 2009 and subsequent estimates series, retroactive to 2000.
      • For the 1990-2009 and later online databases, population data are available for Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Census Area for the years 1990 - 1999.
      • For the 1990-2008 and all of the earlier online databases, population data for Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Census Area are available for all years in the databases.
    • Shannon County, South Dakota (FIPS code 46113) was renamed to Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota (FIPS code 46102) effective July 1, 2015. This change was implemented beginning with the 1990-2015 online data base, retroactive to 1990.
    • Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02232) was split into Skagway Municipality, Alaska (FIPS code 02230) and Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02105). effective June 20, 2007. This change was implemented in Vintage 2008 and subsequent estimates series, retroactive to 2000.
      • For the 1990-2008 and later online data bases, population data are available for Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area only for years 1990-1999.
      • For the 1990-2007 and all of the earlier online databases, population data are available for Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area for all years in the databases.
    • Skagway Municipality, Alaska (FIPS code 02230) was created from part of the former Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02232) effective June 20, 2007. This change was implemented in Vintage 2008 and subsequent estimates series, retroactive to 2000. Population data are available for Skagway Municipality for years 2000 and later in the 1990-2008 and later online databases.
    • Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska (FIPS Code= 02261) was split to form Chugach Census Area (FIPS Code= 02063) and Copper River Census Area (FIPS Code= 02066), effective January 02, 2019. Population estimates for Valdez-Cordova Census Area are not available in for years 2010-2020 in the 1990-2020 online database. Populations for Valdez-Cordova Census Area are available for years 1990-2019 in the 1990-2019 online database.
    • Wade Hampton Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02270) was renamed to Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska (FIPS code 02158) effective July 1, 2015. This change was implemented beginning with the 1999-2015 online database, retroactive in the data to 1990.
    • Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska (FIPS code 02275) was formed June 1, 2008, from part of the former Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area and part of the former Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Census Area (FIPS code 02201). This change was implemented in Vintage 2009 and subsequent estimates series, retroactive to 2000. Population data are available for Wrangell City and Borough for years 2000 and later in the 1999-2009 and later online databases.
    • Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area, Alaska (02280) was split into Wrangell City and Borough, and Petersburg Census Area effective June 1, 2008. This change was implemented in Vintage 2009 and subsequent estimates series.
      • For the 1990-2009 and later online databases, population data are available for Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area only for 1990-1999.
      • For the 1990-2008 and earlier online databases, population data are available for Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area for all years in the databases.



This page last reviewed: Wednesday, September 22, 2021
This information is provided as technical reference material. Please contact us at cwus@cdc.gov.