December 26, 2022

How Do Population Density Maps Work?

The global population has grown by billions over the last century and is still expanding. Job opportunities in major cities have resulted in an influx of individuals to already crowded areas. As a result, the population density of cities has increased.

The average number of people per unit of land area, usually miles or kilometers, is referred to as population density. It is critical to comprehend and map population density. This data can help experts judge resource distribution, natural disaster aid, and new infrastructure initiatives.

What Is the Purpose of Population Density Maps?

Population distribution maps help us plan for and analyze the impact of infrastructure improvements on nearby communities, particularly in remote rural areas.

What Information Does Population Density Provide?

The number of people who live in that specific location determines the population density or the number of people divided by the size of the area. Population density information can be used for resource allocation, disaster management, risk assessment, and many others.

How to Create A Population Density Map?

To create a population density map, use an existing map and color in the areas to represent population density, or design a map by hand or computer. 

Use population and area data in the following formula to calculate population density for each map area: Population density = square miles/population. For a population density map of Minnesota, for example,  divide Minnesota's total population (5,303,925 as of the 2010 Census) by its land area (79,610 square miles to get a density of 66.6 persons per square mile.

How Do You Read A Population Density Map?

Population density refers to the number of people living in a particular land area.  A population density map uses shading or colors to depict how many people dwell in each square mile or square kilometer of a specific area.

Population density maps employ lighter shading or colors in areas of low density where there are few people. In high-density neighborhoods, darker shading or colors are used. The legend defines each shade or color on the map. 

AirSage Population Density Calculator

AirSage’s population density tool, called Activity Density, locates mobile devices throughout the day for any particular "hot spot" area or special event within a defined geographic space. This tool provides insights into how people travel across an area, which can affect development patterns, reveal event-based migration patterns, and aid emergency management, among other things. 

Contact AirSage today for more information about the AirSage Activity Density Platform!

Interested in learning more about location Intelligence? Check out our other blog posts.

© 2022 AirSage Inc. All right reserved.
cross