Why does the Census Bureau produce estimates?
The legal requirement for the Census Bureau to produce subnational population estimates is given in Title 13 of the U.S. Code. Title 13 states that: “During the intervals between each census of population required under section 141 of this title, the Secretary, to the extent feasible, shall annually produce and publish for each State, county, and local unit of general purpose government of fifty thousand or more, current data on total population and population characteristics and, to the extent feasible, shall biennially produce and publish for units of general purpose government current data on total population.” The reason for producing estimates is given in Section 183 of Title 13: “Except as provided in subsection (b), for the purpose of administering any law of the United States in which population or other population characteristics are used to determine the amount of benefit received by State, county, or local units of general purpose government, the Secretary shall transmit to
