Population and Data Literacy

Why might a 2020 Census count differ from a 2025 population estimate?

• Estimates can never change
• They use different reference dates and statistical methods
• The Census never counts residents
• Both must always have identical results

For a Census-consistent April 2020 to July 2025 growth calculation, what starting population should be used?

• The series’ April 2020 estimate base
• The state’s square-mile area
• An unrelated 1990 city count
• The latest county median income

Why are foreign-born share and non-English language-at-home share not interchangeable?

• Both always count the same residents
• Language share measures only international visitors
• Neither involves surveys
• They measure birthplace and language behavior separately

Which age group is used for the 2020-2024 language-at-home statistic cited for New Jersey?

• Only adults over 75
• All people regardless of age with no exclusions
• People age five and older
• Only infants

What problem can arise from relying only on New Jersey’s average population density?

• It measures local household income
• It hides urban-rural and regional differences
• It identifies every neighborhood precisely
• It always equals each city’s density

What explains New Jersey’s high statewide population density?

• The number of days in the year
• Many residents relative to a comparatively small land area
• Very few people spread across vast land
• Its position west of the Mississippi

About how much land and water does New Jersey’s official area summary distinguish?

• 7,354 square miles of land and 1,368 of water
• A completely water-covered state
• 70,000 square miles of land and 10 of water
• 1,368 square miles of land and 7,354 of water

Which statement about New Jersey’s area rank is accurate?

• It is the largest by total area
• It is larger than Alaska
• It is the 25th-largest by total area
• It is fourth-smallest by total area among the 50 states

What must be done before comparing population densities in square miles and square kilometers?

• Add both populations together
• Use shoreline length instead
• Convert them to consistent area units
• Compare the raw numbers without units