Last Updated: June 9, 2026
Population projection data for U.S. counties can be accessed using mapping software. The projections are broken down by year, age, race, and sex, making the data useful for site location, competitive analysis, market planning, demographic research, and other analyses that depend on future population counts.
The projection data is included with the U.S. package for current versions of Maptitude. This article explains how to find the data, create custom summary fields, hide unnecessary fields, export a customized version of the layer, and visualize future population trends.
Table of Contents
1. Add the County Population Projection Data Layer
4. Export the Customized Projection Data Layer
5. Visualize the Projection Data
Accessing the County Population Projection Data Layer
- Download and install a free trial of Maptitude mapping software, or use your own license of desktop Maptitude.
- Open your map in Maptitude.
- Right click County > Select New Dataview > Find the projection data fields in the far right of the dataview.
Create Summary Fields
You can combine fields to create a summary field when the data is split into categories that you do not need to analyze separately. For example, if you only need the population age 65 and older, you can sum all of the five-year age ranges from 65 and older into one field.
- Open up the dataview for the County layer.
- Click the Formula Fields button on the Standard toolbar.
- In the Formula Fields drop-down list, type a name for the summary field, such as 2030 Age 65+.
- Click Statistics.
- Make sure Sum is chosen in the Statistic drop-down list.
- Click Choose Fields.
- On the left side, highlight the fields you want to include in the sum and click Add>>.
- Use the Filter to narrow the list of available fields when searching.
- Check that the right side contains all of the fields you want to include.
- Click OK.
- Click OK again.
- Click OK once more to add the field to the dataview.
Maptitude adds a new field to the table using the name you entered. The field contains the sum of the selected fields for each county. You can repeat these steps to create additional summary fields for other years, age groups, race categories, or other combinations needed for your analysis.
Hide Unnecessary Fields
After you create the summary fields you need, you can hide fields that are not useful for your project. This makes the dataview easier to read and helps you focus on the variables you plan to map or analyze.
- Click the Fields button on the Standard toolbar.
- Choose one of the following methods:
- Highlight fields on the right side that you do not need and click <<Drop.
- Or, click Clear, highlight the fields you want on the left side, and click Add>>.
- Keep the fields from ID to Type at the beginning of the table so you can identify the counties.
Export the Customized Projection Data Layer
Once you have added summary fields and hidden the fields you do not need, export the customized layer. This lets you add the simplified version to future maps without repeating the customization steps.
- Make the table dataview the active window.
- Choose File > Export > Geography.
- Click OK.
- Save the layer with a descriptive file name. For example, save it in the same folder as the original layer and name it Customized Projections Layer.
The next time you need the County Population Projection Data, you can add either the original layer or your customized version.
Visualize the Projection Data
Maptitude includes tools for analyzing and visualizing time series data. The County Population Projection Data is especially useful for this because it can reveal long-term patterns and trends that may be difficult to see in raw numbers.
For example, you can use the projection fields to create thematic maps that show projected population change by county. You can also use customized summary fields to map specific demographic groups, compare future years, or support site location and market analysis.
For more information, see the Learning Portal article on visualizing data in Maptitude.