Ecosystem Targets and Supporting Indicators
Population Within 50-mile Buffer of Long Island Sound
This indicator uses US Census data to track the population living within the Long Island Sound watershed.
View Implementation Actions for Population Within 50-mile Buffer of Long Island Sound| Population Within a 50-Mile Buffer of Long Island Sound | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NY | CT | MA | NJ | RI | Total | |
| 2000 | 12,682,620 | 3,390,192 | 395,531 | 5,479,183 | 1,048,319 | 22,995,845 |
| 2010 | 13,020,854 | 3,555,178 | 399,094 | 5,787,357 | 1,052,567 | 23,815,050 |
| 2020 | 13,843,047 | 3,590,465 | 401,395 | 6,166,342 | 1,097,379 | 25,098,628 |
WHAT DOES THIS INDICATE?
Densely populated areas near the coast can put stress on coastal bodies of water such as Long Island Sound. This indicator recognizes that pollution discharges into the Sound from sources such as stormwater runoff, wastewater treatment plants, and air deposits ultimately come from humans. The indicator tracks people who live within a one hour drive of the Sound, including those who live just outside the watershed boundaries but might commute back and forth into the watershed. The indicator also shows the millions of people who are close by the Sound to appreciate its resources with activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming.
STATUS
The population within the 50-mile radius is 25,098,628, an increase of about 1.3 million people from 2010 to 2020, which is nearly double the increase seen from 2000 to 2010 (700,000 people). Populations increased across all five states with the most significant growth in New York where the population grew by 6% compared to 2010 census reporting. The overall US population increased by 7.4 percent to 331.4 million people, with the majority of growth occurring in the southern and western parts of the country. The Long Island Sound region remains one of the most densely populated areas in the US. About 7.5 percent of the US population lives within a 50-mile radius of the estuary.
DATA NOTE
The population within a 50-mile radius is estimated using US Census Bureau census tracts lying within 50 miles of Long Island Sound (see the map under the data table button).
The Long Island Sound Watershed is the land upon which water drains to Long Island Sound. This story map explores the diversity of land and people within the watershed, from the Canadian border to the shores of Long Island Sound. Use this tool for information about land cover and use, population demographics, and to read the real stories of people living throughout the watershed!
