Council to host workshops to explain local population estimates
Metropolitan Council Research staff will explain the calculation of current local population and household estimates at workshops on April 30 and May 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Council’s St. Paul central office.
Using a model developed in consultation with experts from the Minnesota Population Center at the University of Minnesota, the Council estimates local population and households annually. The Council’s model incorporates the most current information available on counts of housing units, occupancy rates and household sizes.
POPULATION ESTIMATES WORKSHOPS (choose one)
Thursday, April 30, 2 - 4 p.m.
Monday, May 11, 2 - 4 p.m.
Register by April 27
To register, contact Deb Conley by phone at 651-602-1335 or by email: debbie.conley@metc.state.mn.us
Methodology will be explained
“These workshops are intended to help local officials gain a better understanding of how the Council’s methodology works,” said Libby Starling, the Council’s research manager. “By working collaboratively with local governments, we can obtain the best data to include and create a product that’s both reflective of the region and valuable to local governments.”
Starling said workshop participants will learn the methodology behind the Council’s estimates, which will prepare participants to better understand their own community’s numbers. Council staff will issue the preliminary 2008 estimates to the local elected officials of the region’s 186 cities and towns and seven counties in late May.
State law mandates Council role
The Council has prepared local population and household estimates since 1971, as provided by state law. The population estimates are the official population numbers for state government purposes, including distribution of state aids to local governments, including Local Government Aid, and tax-base sharing through the Fiscal Disparities Program.
Workshops are designed for local government officials and staff and may be particularly helpful for local planning staff. Other interested individuals are also welcome to attend.
Register for one of the sessions with Deb Conley, debbie.conley@metc.state.mn.us or 651-602-1335, by April 27.
The Council’s central office is located at 390 Robert St. N. in downtown St. Paul.