U.S. Census Populations With Bridged Race Categories

 

Overview

Race bridging refers to making data collected using one set of race categories consistent with data collected using a different set of race categories, to permit estimation and comparison of race-specific statistics at a point in time or over time. More specifically, race bridging is a method used to make multiple-race and single-race data collection systems sufficiently comparable to permit estimation and analysis of race-specific statistics.

The National Center for Health Statistics releases bridged-race population estimates of the resident population of the United States, based on Census 2000 counts, 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. 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. The bridged-race population estimates are produced under a collaborative arrangement with the U. S. Census Bureau. The bridging methodology is described in the report, "Census 2000 Populations with Bridged Race Categories [PDF - 1.2 MB]" which was published in September 2003 and is available for download from this site.

The bridged single-race population estimates are being used to calculate birth and death rates produced by NCHS for data year 2000 and later years, as well as to produce revised birth and death rates for the 1990s. Published reports that used the 1990-based postcensal population estimates have been re-issued in whole or in part.

 

Newest Data Release

Vintage 2008 bridged-race postcensal population estimates of the resident population of the United States by year, county, single year of age, bridged race, Hispanic origin, and sex released by the Census Bureau on May 14, 2009 and by NCHS on September 2, 2009.

 

Changes in Census Bureau Estimates Methodology

The Census Bureau revised their population estimation methodology beginning with the Vintage 2007 postcensal series of estimates (see Vintage 2007 and Vintage 2008 file documentation for references). The Census Bureau believes their new estimation method represents an improvement over their previous procedures and results in more accurate population estimates. The net impact of the various methodological changes is a downward shift of the Vintage 2007 and Vintage 2008 series of postcensal population estimates when compared to those from earlier vintages (primarily due to a downward shift in the net international migration estimates).

When producing the Vintage 2006, Vintage 2007, and Vintage 2008 postcensal series of estimates, the Census Bureau employed adjustments designed to accommodate geographic shifts in the populations of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that resulted from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 (see Vintage 2007 ad vintage 2008 file documentation for references).

 

Geographic Codes in the Bridged-Race Population Files

The Vintage 2008 files have population estimates for 3,142 counties and county equivalents. The Federal Information Processing System (FIPS) codes on the Vintage 2008 files differ slightly from those on earlier vintages: two new FIPS codes are included on the files (Skagway Municipality and Hoonah-Angoon Census Area) and one FIPS code is excluded (Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area). The table below summarizes differences in FIPS codes across the various bridged-race population files; for the most part, FIPS codes on the files are the same. Vintage 2002, Vintage 2005, Vintage 2006, and Vintage 2007 have estimates for 3,141 counties and county equivalents and the FIPS codes on these four vintages are consistent with each other. The Vintage 2003 and Vintage 2004 files have estimates for 3,140 counties and county equivalents and the FIPS codes on these two vintages are consistent with each other (unlike the other postcensal vintages, they do not have population estimates for Broomfield County, Colorado). The intercensal files and the April 1, 2000 files have estimates for 3,141 counties and county equivalents; these files do not have estimates for Broomfield, CO but unlike later files do have estimates for Clifton Forge, VA. Additional details provided in the Vintage 2008 file documentation [PDF - 56 KB].

Counties and county equivalents that do not appear on all of the bridged-race population files: 1990-2008

--*-- County or county equivalent is not on the file.

X County or county equivalent is on the file.

 

Bridged-Race Estimates Methodology

• United States Census 2000 Population with Bridged Race Categories [PDF - 5.6 MB] (9/2003)

 

Data Files and Documentation

• Vintage 2008 Bridged-race postcensal population estimates for July 1, 2000 - July 1, 2008, by year, county, single-year of age, bridged-race, Hispanic origin, and sex (9/2/2009)
• Vintage 2007 Bridged-race postcensal population estimates for July 1, 2000 - July 1, 2007, by year, county, single-year of age, bridged-race, Hispanic origin, and sex (9/5/2008)
• Vintage 2006 Bridged-race postcensal population estimates for July 1, 2000 - July 1, 2006, by year, county, single-year of age, bridged-race, Hispanic origin, and sex (8/16/2007)
• Vintage 2005 Bridged-race postcensal population estimates for July 1, 2000 - July 1, 2005, by year, county, single-year of age, bridged-race, Hispanic origin, and sex (8/16/2006)
• Vintage 2004 Bridged-race postcensal population estimates for July 1, 2000 - July 1, 2004, by year, county, single-year of age, bridged-race, Hispanic origin, and sex (9/8/2005)
• Vintage 2003 Bridged-race postcensal population estimates for July 1, 2000 - July 1, 2003, by year, county, single-year of age, bridged-race, Hispanic origin, and sex (9/14/2004)
• Vintage 2002 Bridged-race postcensal population estimates for July 1, 2000 - July 1, 2002, by year, county, single-year of age, bridged-race, Hispanic origin, and sex (9/14/2004)
• Vintage 2001 Bridged-race postcensal population estimates for July 1, 2000 and July 1, 2001, by year, single-year of age, bridged-race, Hispanic origin, and sex (1/12/2003)
• April 1, 2000 Bridged-race population estimates by county, single year age group, bridged-race, Hispanic origin, and sex (1/12/2003)
• Bridged-race intercensal population estimates for July 1, 1990-July 1, 1999, by year, county, single-year of age, bridged-race, Hispanic origin, and sex (7/26/2004)
• Bridged-race intercensal population estimates for July 1, 1990-July 1, 1999, by year, county, 5-year age group, bridged-race, Hispanic origin, and sex (4/15/2003)

 

Release of Bridged-Race Population Estimates

In response to the need for bridged estimates by a wide range of users, NCHS makes the bridged-race population estimates available for download from this web site (see Data Files and Documentation). The report detailing the bridging methodology, “United States Census 2000 Population with Bridged Race Categories”, also is available for download from this site (see Bridged-Race Estimates Methodology).

 

Interactive Databases and Related Resources

• CDC Wonder interactive population query page
• SEER US Population Data
• 2006 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties

 

Suggested Citation

The suggested citation for the Vintage 2008 postcensal series of estimates is:

National Center for Health Statistics. Postcensal estimates of the resident population of the United States for July 1, 2000-July 1, 2008, by year, county, age, bridged race, Hispanic origin, and sex (Vintage 2008). Prepared under a collaborative arrangement with the U.S. Census Bureau; released May 14, 2009. Available from: www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm as of September 2, 2009

Suggested citations for the other estimates series can be found in the corresponding file documentation.

 

Comments and Questions

NCHS would appreciate receiving feedback on the usefulness of the bridged-race estimates as well as notification of any problems that have been identified. Comments or questions about the estimates may be sent via e-mail to: PopEst@cdc.gov

 

Tabulated Data

The following tables (as Excel spreadsheets) showing bridged and enumerated population counts for 2000 and the 1990-based July 1, 2000, postcensal population estimates previously used by NCHS to calculate vital rates are available for download: 

• Table 1. White resident population, by State and Hispanic origin: United States, 2000 [XLS - 36 KB]
• Table 2. Black or African American resident population, by State and Hispanic origin: United States, 2000 [XLS - 37 KB]
• Table 3. American Indian or Alaska Native resident population, by State and Hispanic origin: United States, 2000 [XLS - 36 KB]
• Table 4. Asian resident population, by State and Hispanic origin: United States, 2000 [XLS - 35 KB]
• Table 5. Resident population, by State, Hispanic origin, and race: United States, 2000 [XLS - 122 KB]