The 2010 Census state-level demographic results are in! The overall Colorado population grew to 5,029,196—a 17 percent increase from 2000 to 2010.
The decennial census has several important uses, including:
--Census data directly affect how almost $400 billion per year in federal funding are allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more. That's more than $4 trillion over a 10-year period.
--States allocate billions of dollars of their own funds to localities and nonprofit organizations using Census data.
--Congressional seats are redistributed and state legislative districts are redrawn based on population data in the Census.
The Census is like a snapshot that helps define who we are as a nation or state. Data about changes in communities are crucial to many planning decisions, such as where to provide services for the elderly, where to build new roads and schools, and where to locate job training centers.
The Census Bureau’s Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 is available for Colorado, all other states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. See the American FactFinder website at http://factfinder2.census.gov.
The data provided in the demographic profiles break down male and female populations into age groups and identify households by relationship and type. The profiles also include housing occupancy status, such as rentals, homes for sale and seasonal units.
Highlights from the 2010 Colorado data released on May 19 include:
- The median age was 36.1.
- Males - 35.1.
- Females - 37.1.
- The Hispanic/Latino population made up 20.7 percent of the state’s population.
- The average household size was 2.49 people.
- The average family size was 3.08 people.
- Among the state's occupied housing units, 65.5 percent were owned, compared with 34.5 percent that were rented.