How will population changes affect local health statistics?

New population estimates for 2005 by the US Census Department show large changes for Cleveland and surrounding counties. This is prompting many health officials, policy analysts and researchers to reconsider and recalculate health statistics.

In August 2005, the US Census Department released new figures from the 2005 American Community Survey. This survey is an important addition to the full population census taken every ten years. With large changes in population due to relocation, immigration, births and deaths, government officials have instituted mid-decase surveys to derive better population estimates. This 2005 American Community Survey os one of many mid-decade surveys used by the Census Department.

Locally, the new report estimates that the population in Cleveland has decreased by over 40,000 persons, or over 10% from the 487,403 population base derived from the 2000 Census.