Description of Coastal Population:
While marine ecosystems are important for people all across the country, they are essential for people living in coastal communities. The population density of coastal counties is over six times greater than inland counties. In the U.S. coastal counties make up less than 10 percent of the total land area (not including Alaska), but account for 39 percent of the total population. From 1970 to 2010, the population of these counties increased by almost 40% and are projected to increase by over 10 million people or 8+% into the 2020s.
The population density of an area is an important factor for economic planning, emergency preparedness, understanding environmental impacts, resource demand, and many other reasons. Thus, this indicator is important to track. We present the number of residents within all regions.
Data Source:
Coastal population data was retrieved from the Census Bureau’s county population totals, filtered to present coastal counties using the Census Bureau’s list of coastal counties within each state. Coastal county populations were then summed within each region for reporting purposes. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
Understanding the Gauge plots
The gauge plots that accompany the indicator time series are meant to reflect the current status of that ecosystem component at the regional or national level. The numerical scores are determined as the percentile rank of the average (mean) value of that indicator over the last five years of the time series, relative to the series as a whole. The values typically represent quantitative scores, with more desirable conditions in the darker blue. Thus, some gauges are "right-handed" with the higher values being in darker blue, whereas other gauges are "left-handed" with lower values being in darker blue (indicating that lower values are preferable). In some instances (e.g. climate measures), the scores represented are unitless and are presented as two-way gauges, indicating that either high or low scores are observed, implying neither higher nor lower values are necessarily preferred.
Understanding the Time series plots
Time series plots show the changes in each indicator as a function of time, over the period 1980-present. Each plot also shows horizontal lines that indicate the median (middle) value of that indicator, as well as the 10th and 90th percentiles, each calculated for the entire period of measurement. Time series plots were only developed for datasets with at least 10 years of data. Two symbols located to the right of each plot describe how recent values of an indicator compare against the overall series. A black circle indicates whether the indicator values over the last five years are on average above the series 90th percentile (plus sign), below the 10th percentile (minus sign), or between those two values (solid circle). Beneath that an arrow reflects the trend of the indicator over the last five years; an increase or decrease greater than one standard deviation is reflected in upward or downward arrows respectively, while a change of less than one standard deviation is recorded by a left-right arrow.
Alaska
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Alaska was higher than 90% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
Alaska’s average coastal population between 2014 – 2019 was substantially above historic levels, although the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 90 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Alaska was higher than 90% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
Hawai'i-Pacific Islands
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Hawai’i was higher than 96% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
The 2014 – 2019 average coastal population in Hawaii was substantially above historic levels, although the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 96 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Hawai’i was higher than 96% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
California Current
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for the California Current was higher than 94% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
The 2014 – 2019 average coastal population in the California Current ecosystem was substantially above historic levels, although the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 94 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for the California Current was higher than 94% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
Gulf of Mexico
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for the Gulf of Mexico was higher than 94% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
The 2014 – 2019 average coastal population along the Gulf of Mexico was substantially above historic levels, although the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 94 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for the Gulf of Mexico was higher than 94% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
Southeast
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for the Southeast US was higher than 94% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
The 2014 – 2019 average coastal population in the Southeast was substantially above historic levels, although the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 94 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for the Southeast US was higher than 94% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
Northeast
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for the Northeast US was higher than 94% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
The 2014 – 2019 average coastal population in the Northeast was substantially above historic levels, although the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 94 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for the Northeast US was higher than 94% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
Great Lakes
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for the Great Lakes was higher than 32% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
The 2014 – 2019 average coastal population in the Great Lakes was consistent with historic levels, and the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 32 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for the Great Lakes was higher than 32% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
Lake Ontario
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Lake Ontario was higher than 52% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
The 2014 – 2019 average coastal population around Lake Ontario was consistent with historic levels, and the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 52 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Lake Ontario was higher than 52% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
Lake Erie
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Lake Erie was only higher than 4% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
The 2014 – 2019 average coastal population around Lake Erie was significantly below historic levels, though the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 4 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Lake Erie was only higher than 4% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
Lake Huron
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Lake Huron was higher than 42% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
The 2014 – 2019 average coastal population around Lake Huron was consistent with historic levels, and the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 42 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Lake Huron was higher than 42% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
Lake Michigan
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Lake Michigan was higher than 76% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
The 2014 – 2019 average coastal population around Lake Michigan was consistent with historic levels, and the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 76 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Lake Michigan was higher than 76% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
Lake Superior
The coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Lake Superior was higher than 20% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Values correspond to the total coastal population for a given region
Time Series
The 2014 – 2019 average coastal population around Lake Superior was consistent with historic levels, and the recent trend is not different from historical trends.
Gauge
The gauge value of 20 indicates that the coastal population between 2014 and 2019 for Lake Superior was higher than 20% of the coastal population values between 1970 and 2019.
Extreme Gauge values:
A value of zero on the gauge means that the average coastal population over the last 5 years of data was below any annual population level up until that point, while a value of 100 would indicate the average over that same period was above any annual population level up until that point.
Indicator Source Information:
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.
Data Background and Caveats:
The values represented here are coastal county population estimates for states bordering US Large Marine Ecosystems as calculated by the US Census Bureau from the American Community Survey. Census data has been updated to include 2020 values, but does not have the necessary resolution required to calculate county-specific totals.
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