The nation's urban population increased by 6.4 percent between 2010 and 2020, according to the US Census list of urban areas
US Census Bureau redefines the meaning of 'urban' America. More than 1,100 towns, hamlets, and villages in the U.S. lost their status as urban areas as the U.S. Census Bureau released a new list of places considered urban based on revised criteria.
Replacing Puerto Rico with Ohio as the state with the 4th largest rural population in 2020. Puerto Rico’s correct rural population is 266,966, (previously inaccurately stated as 3,018,908), which makes it the 45th largest rural population in the nation. Updated Puerto Rico’s 2010 urban population percentage from 94.3 percent to 93.8 percent
This is not a sign of substantial urban-to-rural migration – these shifts in proportions are largely the result of changes to the criteria.
Consistent with previous decennial censuses, changes were made to criteria classifying urban areas following the 2020 Census. Key changes to the Census Bureau’s urban area concept and criteria include:
- The use of housing unit density instead of solely population density. The minimum population threshold to qualify as urban increased from 2,500 to 5,000 or a minimum housing unit threshold of 2,000 housing units.
- The jump distance was reduced from 2.5 miles to 1.5 miles for 2020. Jump distance is the distance along roads used to connect high-density urban territories surrounded by rural territory.
- No longer distinguishing between urbanized areas and urban clusters. All qualifying areas are designated urban areas.
As a result of these changes, 1,140 areas containing approximately 4.2 million people, classified as urban in 2010 are now rural.
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-kits/2022/urban-rural-classificat…
Meanwhile, U.S. Population was Estimated at 334,233,854 on Jan. 1, 2023. As our nation prepares to ring in the new year, the U.S. Census Bureau projects the United States population will be 334,233,854 on Jan. 1, 2023.
This represents an increase of 1,571,393, or 0.47%, from New Year’s Day 2022, and 2,784,573, or 0.84% since Census Day (April 1) 2020. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/12/happy-new-year-2023.html
Throughout 2022, the Census Bureau continued its excellent operations. It released data related to the 2020 Census, the American Community Survey, the Household Pulse and Small Business Pulse surveys, and many more. They created new tools and data products. It also participated in the release of historical data from the 1950 Census, along with the National Archives and Records Administration. They’ve been conducting the employment and finance component of the 2022 Census of Governments and gearing up for the 2022 Economic Census. And, of course, preparing for the 2030 Census