Indicator: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Population (1950-2050)

<p><strong>Access the Indicator Materials:</strong><br />- <a target="_blank" href="https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakeprogress/chart-assets/population-by-decade/Population_Analysis-and-Methods_2024_FINAL.docx">Analysis &amp; Methods</a><br />- <a target="_blank" href="https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakeprogress/chart-assets/population-by-decade/Data_2024-Population_FINAL.xlsx">Data File</a></p><p>Population data are collected for long-term monitoring and compiled from several sources depending on the year. For 1950–2010, the data are based on decennial U.S. Census Bureau counts apportioned to the Chesapeake Bay watershed; for 2001–2009 and 2011–2024, they are based on annual population estimates and decennial censuses apportioned in the same way. Future values for 2030, 2040, and 2050 are based on county population projections from the watershed states, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, with some 2050 values linearly extrapolated where projections are unavailable. Population is spatially apportioned from counties to the watershed using partial-block data from SILVIS to reflect how people and housing are distributed across the landscape.</p><p><strong>Note: This Indicator supported progress tracking toward the Land Use Methods and Metrics Development Outcome in the original Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, adopted in 2014. The Watershed Agreement and Land Use Planning and Decision Support Outcome were revised in 2025.</strong></p>