Mapping the Demographic Future of Cities

Cities change. The people living in cities change. A new online tool from the Urban Institute allows users to forecast demographic trends as far out at 2030.

1 minute read

January 26, 2015, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Tanvi Misra shares news of a new interactive mapping tool from the Urban Institute that allows users to project the population of their cities fifteen year from now.

According to Misra's description the "Mapping America's Future" tool uses historical trends and census data "[to allow] users to adjust for rates of birth, death, and migration to forecast a range of scenarios—so urban planners, local leadership, and anyone else can track the effects of demographic trends in their region."

Misra also explains why the tool could be helpful to planners and delves into some of the demographic trends provided by specific cities, such as Atlanta, Detroit, and Youngstown. 

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