The U.S. Census Bureau released a nifty interactive map this week chronicling population shifts across the nation.
The map shows population change in 2003 side-by-side with 2013, presenting snapshots of growth separated by a decade.
According to the map, the estimated population of the Bremerton/Silverdale statistical area (read Kitsap County) grew by 1,692 people between 2002 and 2003, a 0.63 percent change. The population dipped by 657 between 2012 and 2013, a -0.26 percent change.
So why does the Census Bureau think Kitsap lost residents last year?
To determine population change, the bureau calculates births, deaths, international immigration (including overseas military deployment) and domestic immigration.
Below is a chart showing how those components played out in Kitsap last year. (Note these numbers don’t add up to the total population change, which incorporates a broader set of factors.)
As you can see, Kitsap was still producing babies, enough to offset deaths by more than 900. The county also saw an influx in international immigrants.
Those gains were negated, however, by the number of people leaving the county. The bureau does include the movement of military personnel in its calculations.
Year-to-year drops in estimated population aren’t uncommon, and the long-term trend is still one of growth. In fact, even with the dip in 2013, the county still added residents over the last four years.
Here’s another chart showing the components of that growth:
You can see full population estimates for Kitsap County here.
