Applied Population Laboratory

The recent releases of new data from the 2010 Census and from the American Community Survey have amplified the APL’s outreach and Extension activities. The explosion of technology and informational resources over last decade has transformed our role from merely providing access to demographic data to providing tools, training and guides that help understand how to use, analyze and add value to demographic data. So, over the last year or so, we have developed module-based curricula, web-based tutorials, and census “how to’s” that complement our workshop and webinar offerings highlighting the new 2010 Census data.

On the research front, APL staff have been working on producing an updated set of net migration estimates for the 2000-2010 period. These migration estimates include the characteristics of “movers” by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Headed up by Richelle Winkler (PI) and with funding from grants from the USDA Economic Research Service and NIH, the project will add to five decades of estimates done previously in the department by Glenn Fuguitt and Paul Voss. The movement of people is an important component of population change, and examining net migration trends helps to unpack fascinating stories of regional and community character and associated social and economic change. When the project is done in early 2012, the data will help to inform demographers making population estimates and projections and exploring patterns of population distribution and redistribution. The estimates can also be a key component for analyzing the downturn of the economy and housing markets during the last decade and the various “pushes and pulls” and age structure shifts experienced by communities. The new net migration estimates will be made available through a website which will use mapping, charting, and other tools to allow researchers and other users to interact with the data. As the project unfolds, we will post information about the new net migration estimates (and the new website) on the APL website. In the meantime, we invite you to visit us at http://www.apl.wisc.edu to learn about other outreach and research projects in the Applied Population Laboratory.

–Dan Veroff

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