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Council workshops illuminate local population estimates

Metropolitan Council Research staff will explain their calculation of current local population and household estimates at workshops April 30, May 12 and May 13 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at the Council’s St. Paul central office.

Using a model developed in 2006 in consultation with experts from the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Population Center, 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. 

“We apply our methodology consistently throughout the region,” said Libby Starling, the Council’s research manager. “Estimates, however, are only as good as their inputs, so we are always searching for the best data to include in our model.” 

Starling said workshop participants will learn the methodology behind the Council’s estimates, preparing them to better understand their own community’s numbers.  Staff will issue the preliminary 2007 estimates to the local elected officials of the region’s 186 cities and towns and seven counties in late May.

Mandated by state statute, the Council has prepared current local population and household estimates since 1971.  The Council’s population estimates are the official population numbers for State government purposes, including distribution of Local Government Aid, distribution of Local Street Aid, and calculation of tax-base sharing under the Fiscal Disparities Program.

Workshops are designed for senior staff and planners though all interested persons are welcome. Register for one of the sessions with Deb Conley, debbie.conley@metc.state.mn.us or 651-602-1335, by April 25.

The Council’s central office is located at 390 Robert St. N. in downtown St. Paul.