The Use (and Misuse) of Population-Weighted Density

Abstract

During the past several decades, population-weighted density has come to be used in scholarly papers and other formal reports. It is a weighted average of the densities of smaller subareas that is an alternative to the traditional measure of density, total population divided by total area. The U.S. Census used it in a 2012 report resulting in increased attention in more informal pieces such as blog posts and pieces in popular media. Calculation of population-weighted densities and their reporting and inclusion in datasets occurred. The quality of the treatment of population-weighted density in all of these works has been uneven. Important information has not always been provided. This paper reviews these items and assesses the use of population-weighted density.