NOAA’s STATE OF THE COAST

National Coastal Population Report

Population Trends from 1970 to 2020
Dear Reader,

This National Coastal Population Report continues the commitment 

by NOAA’s National Ocean Service to describe the nation’s coastal 

population, as a complement to the decadal Census conducted by 

the U.S. Census Bureau. One of our nation’s ongoing challenges 

is to manage ecologically sensitive coastal areas such that future 

generations of Americans will continue to reap the immeasurable 

economic, cultural, recreational, and aesthetic benefits provided by 

our coastal resources. At the core of this management challenge are 

both the large numbers and high densities of residents and visitors at 

the coast.

This concentration of people impacts the integrity of coastal 

ecosystems, and at the same time, the lives and livelihoods of some 

of these residents and visitors can be at risk from natural processes 

at the coast – such as hurricanes, erosion, and sea level rise. This 

report explores this dynamic relationship by presenting both the 

population in Coastal Watershed Counties and in Coastal Shoreline 

Counties. Joined by our federal and state coastal management 

partners, we hope this reporting framework will both increase 

awareness and enhance policy discussions, by promoting a deeper 

understanding of our nation’s coastal population.

Holly Bamford

Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Management

National Ocean Service

NOAA
National Coastal Population Report

Population Trends from 1970 to 2020

This document is a product of the NOAA State of the 

Coast Report Series, a publication of the National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department 

of Commerce, developed in partnership with the U.S. 

Census Bureau. Visit: http://stateofthecoast.noaa.gov.

Table of Contents

Our Nation’s Coastal Population

How to Use this Document

The Bottom Line

Coastal Shoreline Counties

Population

Population Density

Age

Race

Hispanic Origin

Education Attainment

Household Income

Seasonal Housing

Building Permits

Coastal States Summary

Coastal Watershed Counties

Population

Population Density

Age

Race

Hispanic Origin

Education Attainment

Household Income

Seasonal Housing

Building Permits

Coastal States Summary

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

2

3

4

10

17

18

19

March 2013
Our nation’s bountiful coastal resources have influenced American history 

and culture, and have drawn a substantial portion of our country’s population 

to the coast. The concentration of people and economic activity at the coast 

places pressures on ecologically sensitive coastal ecosystems and also leaves 

residents and visitors vulnerable to coastal hazards, such as hurricanes, 

erosion, and sea level rise. One focus of this management challenge is to 

understand who lives at the coast and how this population is changing. 

However, this is not a simple matter as federal agencies, researchers, and nongovernmental organizations define “the coast” in various ways.

To increase consistency in how we describe our nation’s coastal population, 

this report presents the nation’s coastal population in two different lights. 

One is the population that lives in Coastal Watershed Counties, or those 

counties where a substantial portion of their land area intersect coastal 

watersheds, and consequently represent where land use changes and 

water quality impacts most directly impact coastal ecosystems. NOAA 

has historically reported population for Coastal Watershed Counties, and 

continues this framework in this report. For the first time, NOAA also presents 

the population that lives in a subset of Coastal Watershed Counties, the 

Coastal Shoreline Counties, or those counties directly adjacent to the open 

ocean, major estuaries, and the Great Lakes. The Coastal Shoreline Counties, 

due to their proximity to these waters, bear the most direct effects of coastal 

hazards and host the majority of economic production associated with coastal 

and ocean resources. 

Our Nation’s Coastal Population

Section 2: People who live in Coastal Watershed Counties 

This section describes basic demographic status and trends of the U.S. 

population that resides in 769 Coastal Watershed Counties. A substantial 

portion of the land area of these counties intersect coastal watersheds, and 

consequently represent where land use changes and water quality impacts 

can most directly impact coastal ecosystems. This group of coastal residents 

could generally be considered “the U.S. population that most directly affects 

the coast.”

Section 1: People who live in Coastal Shoreline Counties

This section describes basic demographic status and trends of the U.S. 

population that resides in 452 Coastal Shoreline Counties (see map in 

Appendix A). These counties are directly adjacent to the open ocean, major 

estuaries, and the Great Lakes, and due to their proximity to these waters, 

bear the most direct effects of coastal hazards and host the majority of 

economic production associated with coastal and ocean resources. This group 

of coastal residents could generally be considered “the U.S. population most 

directly affected by the coast.”

When are these statistics most applicable?

Providing context for coastal community resilience, coastal hazards, and other 

ocean resource-dependent issues.

When are these statistics most applicable?

Providing context for land use changes in coastal watersheds and local 

watershed impacts of human activities to coastal and estuarine water quality.

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the Channel Islands National Park, CA. Credit: Claire Johnson

2 NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

How to Use this Document

This report offers two independent sections that present basic demographic 

status and trends information for Coastal Shoreline Counties and for Coastal 

Watershed Counties, allowing the coastal management community the 

opportunity to choose the appropriate statistics for their needs.

Appendices A and B provide maps of Coastal Shoreline Counties and Coastal 

Watershed Counties, respectively. The Coastal Shoreline Counties are a subset 

of Coastal Watershed Counties, and Appendix C provides a simple comparison 

between these two groups of counties. 
NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report 3

The Bottom Line

Regardless of how the coast is defined, it is substantially more crowded than the U.S. as a 

whole, and population density in coastal areas will continue to increase in the future.

Note: Land area and density values exclude Alaska. Population values include Alaska and US Territories. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010

POPULATION DENSITY IS GROWING AT THE COAST

Out of the 3 million mi2 of land in the US

Out of the 313 million people living in the US

A small amount of land and a large 

number of people means high density

<10%

or 275,351 mi2 comprise 

Coastal Shoreline Counties

or 511,971 mi2 comprise 

Coastal Watershed Counties

<20%

39% 52%

or 123.3 million people lived in

Coastal Shoreline Counties

or 163.8 million people lived in

Coastal Watershed Counties

Coastal 

Shoreline Counties

319 persons/mi2

United States

105 persons/mi 446 2 persons/mi2

Coastal 

Watershed Counties

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Persons Per Square Mile

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

All United States Counties

In Just 40 Years: 1970-2010

Coastal Shoreline Counties added 125 persons/mi2

Coastal Watershed Counties added 99 persons/mi2

United States as a whole added 36 persons/mi2

Within the limited space of the nation’s coast, population 

density far exceeds the nation as a whole, and this trend 

will continue into the future. This situation presents coastal 

managers with the challenge of protecting both coastal 

ecosystems from a growing population and protecting a 

growing population from coastal hazards.

In 2010:

In 2010:

In 2010:

= 10 persons

Each box 

represents 1 

square mile.
Coastal Shoreline Counties

39% 

Percent of the U.S. population 

that resides in Coastal 

Shoreline Counties in 2010.

34.8 million 

Coastal Shoreline County 

population change from 1970 

to 2010, a 39% increase. 

(U.S. average 52%)

123.3 million 

Coastal Shoreline County 

population in 2010.

Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. 

Credit: Fiona Langenberger

10 million 

Projected population change 

in Coastal Shoreline Counties 

from 2010 to 2020, an 8% 

increase. 

(U.S. average 10%)

Figure 3 Population Change in Coastal Shoreline Counties: 1970-2010

Figure 4 Percent Population Change in U.S. Counties, Highlighting Coastal Shoreline Counties: 1970-2010

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Hawaii

Alaska

Percent

-45 - 0

1 - 49

50 - 99

100 - 299

300+ 0 250 500

American Samoa

Guam

CNMI

Puerto Rico

U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. Territories

Coastal Shoreline 

County Area

Population

0 500 0 250 500

4

Coastal Shoreline Counties

NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

Note: Includes U.S. Territories. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010

200 

120

40

160

80

0

Million People

100%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Percent U.S. Population

43% 42% 42% 41% 39% 39%

The Bottom Line

In 2010, 123.3 million people, 

or 39 percent of the nation’s 

population lived in Coastal 

Shoreline Counties. Population 

growth in these counties 

occurred at a lower rate than 

the nation as a whole from 

1970 to 2010. The population 

in Coastal Shoreline Counties 

increased by 34.8 million 

people, a 39 percent increase, 

while the nation’s entire 

population increased by 52 

percent over the same time 

period.

N
Coastal Shoreline Counties

89% 

Percent increase in the 65 and 

older population from 1970 

to 2010 in Coastal Shoreline 

Counties. (U.S. average 100%)

-4% 

Percent change in persons 

younger than 18 from 1970 

to 2010 in Coastal Shoreline 

Counties. (U.S. average 6%)

Chatham, MA. Credit: Louis Cafiero

Percent Population Change of Coastal Shoreline Counties and Inland Counties by Age from 1970 to 2010

Figure 6

Population Density

Age

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Persons Per Square Mile

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

350 

250 

150 

50 

Population Density Change in Coastal Shoreline Counties and Inland 

Counties from 1970 to 2020

Figure 5

Year

500 

450 

446 pers/mi2

Population density of Coastal 

Shoreline Counties in 2010 

(excluding Alaska). 

(U.S. average 105 pers/mi2 excluding 

Alaska )

37 pers/mi2

Projected population density 

increase in Coastal Shoreline 

Counties from 2010 to 2020 

(excluding Alaska).

Coastal Shoreline Counties

Inland Counties

NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report 5

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010

Note: Density values include U.S. Territories and exclude Alaska.

Note: U.S. Territories not inlcuded.

The Bottom Line

In 2010, 39 percent of the U.S. 

population lived in Coastal 

Shoreline Counties (less than 

10 percent of the total land 

area excluding Alaska). The 

population density of Coastal 

Shoreline Counties is over 

six times greater than the 

corresponding inland counties. 

The Bottom Line

In 2010, age distribution within Coastal 

Shoreline Counties and inland counties 

differed only slightly and the share of the 

U.S. population living in Coastal Shoreline 

Counties by age category was consistent with 

the share of total population. However, from 

1970 to 2010, the growth rate among the age 

categories differed substantially, demonstrating 

an aging population in both Coastal Shoreline 

Counties and inland counties, with inland 

counties growing faster within each age 

category.

5 and Under 6 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and Older

Age Category

100%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

-20%

120%

Percent Population Change

Coastal Shoreline Counties

Inland Counties
Coastal Shoreline Counties

Miami, FL. Credit: B. O’Grady

Hispanic Origin

Race

0

20%

80%

40%

60%

American 

Indian and 

Alaska Native 

Alone

Black or 

African 

American 

Alone

White 

Alone

Asian 

Alone

Native Hawaiian 

and Pacific 

Islander Alone

Some Other 

Race Alone

Two or 

More 

Races

Percent Population of Coastal Shoreline Counties and Inland Counties by 

Race in 2010

Figure 7 Share of the U.S. Population by Race 

in Coastal Shoreline Counties in 2010

Table 1

35%

47%

27%

64%

60%

49%

47%

White Alone

Black or African American Alone

American Indian and Alaska 

Native Alone

Asian Alone

Native Hawaiian and Pacific 

Islander Alone

Some Other Race Alone

Two or More Races

Race Category

Percent U.S. 

Population

Race Category

Total Population 39%

Percent of Population in 

Coastal Shoreline Counties

Percent of Population 

in Inland Counties

0 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Hispanic 

or Latino

Non 

Hispanic 

or Latino

49%

37%

Hispanic or Latino

Non Hispanic or Latino

Ethnicity Category Percent U.S. Population

Percent Population of Coastal Shoreline Counties and Inland Counties by 

Hispanic or Latino Origin in 2010

Figure 8 Share of the U.S. Population by Hispanic 

or Latino Origin in Coastal Shoreline 

Counties in 2010

Table 2

Total Population 39%

Coastal Shoreline Counties

Inland Counties

64% 

Share of the U.S. Asian Alone 

population living in Coastal 

Shoreline Counties.

(Share of total U.S. Population 39%)

211%

Percent increase in Hispanic 

or Latino population from 

1980 to 2010 in Coastal 

Shoreline Counties. 

(U.S. average 220%)

Percent Population

6

Percent Population

Coastal Shoreline Counties

47% 

Share of the U.S. Black or 

African American Alone 

population living in Coastal 

Shoreline Counties.

(Share of total U.S. Population 39%)

NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010

Note: The U.S. Census Bureau uses the word “Alone” following 

 certain race categories to distiquish those populations that 

 chose a single race to characterize themselves.

 U.S. Territories not included.

Note: U.S. Territories not included.

The Bottom Line

In 2010, minority population groups residing in Coastal Shoreline Counties 

represented a combined 35 percent of the Coastal Shoreline County population. 

This is higher than the combined share of the total U.S. population at 28 percent. 
Coastal Shoreline Counties

Santa Cruz, CA. Credit: K. Crossett

Percent Population of Coastal Shoreline Counties and Inland Counties by 

Education Attainment for Those 25 Years and Over in 2010

Figure 9

48%

43%

39%

37%

38%

40%

44%

46%

49%

46%

No School Completed

Some or All Elementary

Some High School

High School Graduate

Some College

Associate’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Professional School Degree

Doctorate Degree

Education Attainment 

Category

Percent 

U.S. Population

37%

35%

36%

38%

40%

43%

46%

52%

Less than $10,000

$10,000 to $24,999

$25,000 to $49,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$75,000 to $99,999

$100,000 to $124,999

$125,000 to $149,999

$150,000 +

Income Category Percent 

U.S. Households

Percent Households of Coastal Shoreline Counties and Inland Counties by 

Income in 2010

Figure 10

0

5%

20%

10%

15%

25%

30%

Share of the U.S. Population by Education 

Attainment for Those 25 Years and Over 

in Coastal Shoreline Counties in 2010

Table 3

Total Households 39%

Share of the U.S. Households by 

Household Income in Coastal Shoreline 

Counties in 2010

Table 4

Total Population 39%

Coastal Shoreline Counties

Inland Counties

Associate’s 

Degree

Bachelor’s 

Degree

Professional Degree

Doctorate 

Degree

Master’s 

Degree

Some 

College

High School 

Graduate

Some or All 

Some High 

School

Elementary

No School 

Completed

0

5%

20%

10%

15%

35%

25%

30%

Coastal Shoreline Counties

Inland Counties

Education Attainment Category

Income Category

Education Attainment

Household Income

47% 

Share of the U.S. households 

making over $100,000 that are 

in Coastal Shoreline Counties.

(Share of total U.S. Households 39%)

38% 

Percent of the population in 

Coastal Shoreline Counties 

that hold a higher education 

degree in 2010 (for those 25 

years and over). 

(U.S. average 35%)

13% 

Percent of the population in 

Coastal Shoreline Counties 

living below the poverty line in 

2010. 

(U.S. average 13%)

7

Percent Households Percent Population

Less than 

$10,000

$10,000-

$24,999

$25,000-

$49,999

$50,000-

$74,999

$75,000-

$99,999

$100,000-

$124,999

$125,000-

$149,999

$150,000 +

NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012a; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010

Note: Puerto Rico included. Remaining U.S. Territories excluded.

Note: U.S. Territories not included.
Coastal Shoreline Counties

Delaware

Alaska

Michigan

Alabama

Oregon

Florida

Minnesota

South Carolina

North Carolina

Maine

Massachusetts

South Carolina

New Hampshire

Washington

Maine

California

New Jersey

New York

Michigan

Florida

0 5% 10% 15% 20%

Percent

Leading States in Number of Seasonal Housing Units 

in Coastal Shoreline Counties in 2010

Figure 11 Leading States in Percent of Housing Units that are 

Seasonal in Coastal Shoreline Counties in 2010

Figure 12

0

Building Permits Issued

(Thousand)

250

200

100

50

150

300

350

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008

Year

2010

0

Building Permits Issued

(Thousand)

1,250

1,000

500

250

750

2000 2002 2004 2006 2010

Year

2008

Building Permits Issued for Single-Family Units in 

Coastal Shoreline Counties from 2000 to 2010

Figure 13 Building Permits Issued for Multi-Unit Buildings in 

Coastal Shoreline Counties from 2000 to 2010

Figure 14

Coastal Shoreline Counties

Inland Counties

Seasonal Housing

Building Permits

Number of Seasonal Homes (Thousand)

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

42% 

Share of all U.S. seasonal 

homes located in Coastal 

Shoreline Counties in 2010.

1355

Number of building permits 

issued per day in Coastal 

Shoreline Counties from 

2000 to 2010.

49.4 million 

Number of housing units in 

Coastal Shoreline Counties in 

2010, 39% of the U.S. total.

18% 

Percent increase in seasonal 

housing units in Coastal 

Shoreline Counties from 2000 

to 2010. Total housing units 

in Coastal Shoreline Counties 

increased 8%.

Broadkill Beach, DE. Credit: K. Crossett

Coastal Shoreline Counties

Inland Counties

8 NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

Note: U.S. Territories not included. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011c; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010

Note: U.S. Territories not included. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011a; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010
2010

Population

U.S. State or 

Territory

2010

Population 

Density

(pers/mi

2

)

1970-2010

Percent Increase 

in 65 and Older 

Rank Rank Population

2010-2020

Percent Projected

Population 

Change

2010

Percent 

Population 

Living in Poverty

1970-2010

Percent Historic 

Population 

Change

Coastal Shoreline Counties

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010

Coastal States Summary

Table 5 Demographic Summary of Aggregated Coastal Shoreline Counties by State

 595,257 

 598,207 

 25,520,252 

 2,219,037 

 897,934 

 601,723 

 14,468,197 

 563,967 

 1,360,301 

 5,898,137 

 771,815 

 2,247,053 

 836,502 

 4,148,642 

 4,924,916 

 4,680,503 

 216,268 

 370,702 

 418,366 

 7,045,573 

 15,691,096 

 999,064 

 2,534,282 

 653,112 

 2,365,551 

 1,052,567 

 1,241,048 

 6,121,490 

 4,730,951 

 4,615,192 

 2,049,934 

 55,502 

 159,358 

 53,883 

 2,525,305 

 106,405 

Alabama

Alaska

California

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Texas

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

American Samoa

Guam

CNMI

Puerto Rico

U.S. Virgin Islands

2112

716

980

461

9,864

454

121

212

4,246

509

165

97

631

1,400

154

22

209

393

1,360

1,280

102

809

42

2,118

1,018

168

410

544

245

195

445

752

305

1,281

580

702

168

111

72

196

-3

208

175

340

28

94

89

43

117

97

53

27

202

264

178

69

30

39

181

-2

46

443

198

248

164

31

27

261

15

21

253

28

176

23

14

22

1179

31

30

2942

20

12

24

13

19

1858

10

16

20

31

108

141

15

26

192

13

24

28

114

25

30

21

1756

279

2937

23

16

12

18

22

11

1385

101

16

19

1624

10

-5

105045

1345

10

-1905

23

16

18

1538

11901

17

10

129

11

18

13

159

14

14

16

1199

16

14

1579

14

15

15

16

20

12

15

188

10

14

58

147

62

18

64

-20

165

82

7704

23

49

37

16

-4

-9

54

100

216

92

-14

53

-16

11

127

107

94

997

104

86

449

27

68

9
Coastal Watershed Counties

52% 

Percent of the U.S. population 

that resides in the Coastal 

Watershed Counties in 2010.

50.9 million 

Population change in Coastal 

Watershed Counties from 

1970 to 2010, a 45% increase. 

(U.S. average 52%)

163.8 million 

Coastal Watershed County 

population in 2010.

Los Angeles County, CA, had the largest single 

county population growth from 1970 to 2010, 

increasing by over 2.7 million people. 

Credit: Bruce Perry, CSULB

15 million 

Projected population change 

in Coastal Watershed Counties 

from 2010 to 2020, a 9% 

increase. 

(U.S. average 10%)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011; NOAA, 2012

Figure 16 Numeric Population Change in U.S. Counties, Highlighting Coastal Watershed Counties: 1970-2010

NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

Population Change

Hawaii

Alaska

Persons

-846,000 - 0

1 - 49,999

50,000 - 249,999

250,000 - 499,999

500,000 - 2,850,000 0 250 500

American Samoa

Guam

CNMI

Puerto Rico

U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. Territories

Coastal Watershed 

County Area

Figure 15 Population Change in Coastal Watershed Counties: 1970-2010

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

200 

120

40

55% 54% 54% 53% 52%

100%

0%

160

80

0

Million People

20%

40%

60%

80%

Percent U.S. Population

52%

0 500 0 250 500

10

Year

Note: Includes U.S. Territories.

The Bottom Line

In 2010, 163.8 million people, 

or 52 percent of the nation’s 

population lived in Coastal 

Watershed Counties. Population 

growth in these counties 

occurred at a lower rate than 

the nation as a whole from 

1970 to 2010. The population 

in Coastal Watershed Counties 

increased by 50.9 million 

people, a 45 percent increase, 

while the nation’s entire 

population increased by 52 

percent over the same time 

period.

N
Coastal Watershed Counties

97% 

Percent increase in the 65 and 

older population from 1970 

to 2010 in Coastal Watershed 

Counties. (U.S. average 100%)

0% 

Percent change in persons 

younger than 18 from 1970 

to 2010 in Coastal Watershed 

Counties. (U.S. average 6%)

Port Townsend, WA Credit: D. Nieters

Population Density

Age

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012

319 pers/mi2

Population density of Coastal 

Watershed Counties in 2010 

(excluding Alaska). 

(U.S. average 105 pers/mi2 excluding

Alaska)

24 pers/mi2

Projected population density 

increase in Coastal Watershed 

Counties from 2010 to 2020 

(excluding Alaska).

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Persons Per Square Mile

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

350 

250 

150 

50 

Population Density Change in Coastal Watershed Counties and Inland 

Counties from 1970 to 2020

Figure 17

Year

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011; NOAA, 2012

11

Note: Density values include U.S. Territories and exclude Alaska.

NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

Note: U.S. Territories not inlcuded.

The Bottom Line

In 2010, 52 percent of the U.S. 

population lived in Coastal 

Watershed Counties (less than 

20 percent of the total land area 

excluding Alaska). The population 

density of Coastal Watershed 

Counties is over five times greater 

than the corresponding inland 

counties, a trend that has been 

consistent since 1970.

100%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

-20%

120%

5 and Under 6 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and Older

Age Category

Percent Population Change of Coastal Watershed Counties and Inland 

Counties by Age from 1970 to 2010

Figure 18 Percent Population Change

The Bottom Line

In 2010, age distribution within Coastal 

Watershed Counties and inland counties 

differed only slightly and the share of the 

U.S. population living in Coastal Watershed 

Counties by age category was consistent with 

the share of total population. However, from 

1970 to 2010, the growth rate among the age 

categories differed substantially, demonstrating 

an aging population in both Coastal Watershed 

Counties and inland counties, with inland 

counties growing faster within each age 

category.

Coastal Watershed Counties

Inland Counties

Coastal Watershed Counties

Inland Counties
Coastal Watershed Counties

Black or 

African 

American 

Alone

Hispanic Origin

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012

Percent of Population in 

Coastal Watershed Counties

Percent of Population 

in Inland Counties

0 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Hispanic 

or Latino

Non 

Hispanic 

or Latino

62%

50%

Hispanic or Latino

Non Hispanic or Latino

Ethnicity Category Percent U.S. Population

Percent Population of Coastal Watershed Counties and Inland Counties by 

Hispanic or Latino Origin in 2010

Figure 20 Share of the U.S. Population by Hispanic 

or Latino Origin in Coastal Watershed 

Counties in 2010

Table 7

Total Population 52%

Coastal Watershed Counties

Inland Counties

American 

Indian and 

Alaska Native 

Alone

White 

Alone

Asian 

Alone

Native Hawaiian 

and Pacific 

Islander Alone

Some Other 

Race Alone

Two or 

More 

Races

Percent Population of Coastal Watershed Counties and Inland Counties by 

Race in 2010

Figure 19 Share of the U.S. Population by Race 

in Coastal Watershed Counties in 2010

Table 6

48%

59%

35%

75%

70%

61%

59%

White Alone

Black or African American Alone

American Indian and Alaska 

Native Alone

Asian Alone

Native Hawaiian and Pacific 

Islander Alone

Some Other Race Alone

Two or More Races

Race Category

Race Category

Total Population 52%

0

20%

80%

40%

60%

75% 

Share of the U.S. Asian Alone 

population living in Coastal 

Watershed Counties.

(Share of total U.S. Population 52%)

239%

Percent increase in the 

Hispanic or Latino population 

from 1980 to 2010 in Coastal 

Watershed Counties. 

(U.S. average 220%)

Race

Percent Population Shrimp boats in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Percent 

U.S. Population

12

Percent Population

59% 

Share of the U.S. Black or 

African American Alone 

population living in Coastal 

Watershed Counties.

(Share of total U.S. Population 52%)

NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

Note: U.S. Territories not included.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012

Note: The U.S. Census Bureau uses the word “Alone” following 

 certain race categories to distiquish those populations that 

 chose a single race to characterize themselves.

 U.S. Territories not included.

The Bottom Line

In 2010, minority population groups residing in Coastal Watershed Counties 

represented a combined 33 percent of the Coastal Watershed County population. 

This is higher than the combined share of the total U.S. population at 28 percent. 
Coastal Watershed Counties

Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Credit: K. Crossett

Percent Population of Coastal Watershed Counties and Inland Counties by 

Education Attainment for Those 25 Years and Over in 2010

Figure 21

61%

56%

52%

50%

51%

53%

56%

59%

61%

59%

No School Completed

Some or All Elementary

Some High School

High School Graduate

Some College

Associate’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Professional School Degree

Doctorate Degree

Education Attainment 

Category

Percent 

U.S. Population

Associate’s 

Degree

Bachelor’s 

Degree

Professional Degree

Doctorate 

Degree

Master’s 

Degree

Some 

College

High School 

Graduate

Some or All 

Some High 

School

Elementary

No School 

Completed

0

5%

20%

10%

15%

35%

25%

30%

48%

47%

48%

50%

53%

56%

59%

64%

Less than $10,000

$10,000 to $24,999

$25,000 to $49,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$75,000 to $99,999

$100,000 to $124,999

$125,000 to $149,999

$150,000 +

Income Category

Percent 

U.S. Households

Percent Households of Coastal Watershed Counties and Inland Counties by 

Income in 2010

Figure 22

Less than 

$10,000

$10,000-

$24,999

$25,000-

$49,999

$50,000-

$74,999

$75,000-

$99,999

$100,000-

$124,999

$125,000-

$149,999

$150,000 +

0

5%

20%

10%

15%

25%

30%

60% 

Share of the U.S. households 

making over $100,000 that are 

in Coastal Watershed Counties.

(Share of total U.S. Households 52%)

37% 

Percent of the population in 

Coastal Watershed Counties 

that hold a higher education 

degree in 2010 (for those 25 

years and over). 

(U.S. average 35%)

13% 

Percent of the population in 

Coastal Watershed Counties 

living below the poverty line 

in 2010. (U.S. average 13%)

Share of the U.S. Population by Education 

Attainment for Those 25 Years and Over 

in Coastal Watershed Counties in 2010

Table 8

Total Households 52%

Share of the U.S. Households by 

Household Income in Coastal 

Watershed Counties in 2010

Table 9

Total Population 52%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012a; NOAA, 2012

Coastal Watershed Counties

Inland Counties

Coastal Watershed Counties

Inland Counties

Education Attainment Category

Income Category

Education Attainment

Household Income

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012

13

Percent Households Percent Population

NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

Note: Puerto Rico included. 

Remaining U.S. Territories 

excluded.

Note: U.S. Territories not included.
Coastal Watershed Counties

55% 

Share of all U.S. seasonal 

homes located in Coastal 

Watershed Counties in 2010.

1876

Number of building permits 

issued per day in Coastal 

Watershed Counties from 

2000 through 2010.

65.2 million 

Number of housing units in 

Coastal Watershed Counties in 

2010, 51% of the U.S. total.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011c; NOAA, 2012

16% 

Percent increase in seasonal 

housing units in Coastal 

Watershed Counties from 2000 

to 2010. Total housing units in 

Coastal Watershed Counties 

increased 9%.

New Hampshire

North Carolina

Michigan

Hawaii

Alaska

Florida

Delaware

South Carolina

Minnesota

Maine

Massachusetts

Maine

South Carolina

Texas

North Carolina

New Jersey

New York

California

Michigan

Florida

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Number of Seasonal Homes (Thousand) Percent

Leading States in Number of Seasonal Housing 

Units in Coastal Watershed Counties in 2010

Figure 23 Leading States in Percent of Housing Units that are 

Seasonal in Coastal Watershed Counties in 2010

Figure 24

0

Building Permits Issued

(Thousand)

250

200

100

50

150

300

350

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008

Year

2010

0

Building Permits Issued

(Thousand)

1,250

1,000

500

250

750

2000 2002 2004 2006 2010

Year

2008

Building Permits Issued for Single-Family Units in 

Coastal Watershed Counties from 2000 to 2010

Figure 25 Building Permits Issued for Multi-Unit Buildings in 

Coastal Watershed Counties from 2000 to 2010

Figure 26

Coastal Watershed Counties

Inland Counties

Coastal Watershed Counties

Inland Counties

Seasonal Housing

Building Permits

0 5% 10% 15% 20%

14 NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

Note: U.S. Territories not included.

Note: U.S. Territories not included. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011a; NOAA, 2012

Mystic Seaport, CT. Credit: J. O’Grady
 764,613 

 598,207 

 32,258,738 

 3,574,097 

 897,934 

 601,723 

 18,427,589 

 1,043,009 

 1,360,301 

 5,898,137 

 1,432,512 

 3,573,854 

 1,238,956 

 5,287,553 

 6,318,177 

 8,797,000 

 251,654 

 628,502 

 1,073,438 

 8,683,202 

 17,586,787 

 2,254,172 

 4,326,145 

 1,982,081 

 6,388,180 

 1,052,567 

 1,932,243 

 8,287,623 

 5,425,647 

 5,229,486 

 2,569,028 

 55,519 

 159,358 

 53,883 

 3,725,789 

 106,405 

Alabama

Alaska

California

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Texas

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

American Samoa

Guam

CNMI

Puerto Rico

U.S. Virgin Islands

88

2

415

738

461

9,864

362

77

212

4,246

352

137

61

703

961

173

24

93

255

1,241

604

114

411

94

834

1,018

127

207

392

212

167

445

752

305

1,088

580

131

702

127

75

196

-3

228

138

340

28

87

95

85

138

41

78

33

154

138

70

31

198

55

101

54

46

290

202

198

170

42

27

30

1

14

26

29

2

25

21

9

20

15

22

11

8

4

31

28

23

5

3

17

13

18

7

24

19

6

10

12

16

27

31

11

7

10

1

14

28

18

2

15

22

29

8

5

20

30

26

16

3

9

24

12

25

6

4

23

19

13

17

21

9

13

11

6

10

1

17

9

16

2

6

8

8

11

5

3

4

8

10

4

4

8

1

8

4

5

17

19

18

17

5

8

11

9

2

1

18

10

13

9

11

18

13

18

9

14

14

17

12

8

10

14

14

17

7

9

14

18

14

14

12

12

17

19

8

10

12

44

147

79

18

64

-20

178

72

77

0

16

27

40

46

15

12

-5

59

90

22

6

59

-4

56

14

11

83

130

83

103

14

103

86

449

37

68

2010

Population

U.S. State or 

Territory

2010

Population 

Density

(pers/mi2

)

1970-2010

Percent Increase 

in 65 and Older 

Rank Rank Population

2010-2020

Percent Projected

Population 

Change

2010

Percent 

Population 

Living in Poverty

1970-2010

Percent Historic 

Population 

Change

Coastal Watershed Counties

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011a; NOAA, 2012

Coastal States Summary

Table 10 Demographic Summary of Aggregated Coastal Watershed Counties by State

15
16 NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

Ache, B., K. Crossett, P. Pacheco, J. Adkins, P. Wiley. 2012. “The Coast” 

is Complicated: A Model to Consistently Describe the Nation’s Coastal 

Population. Estuaries and Coasts. In Press.

Crowell, M., Coulton, K., Johnson, C., Westcott, J., Bellomo, D., Edelman, S., and 

Hirsch, E., 2010. An Estimate of the U.S. Population Living in 100-year Coastal 

Flood Hazard Areas. Journal of Coastal Research, Vo. 26, No. 2, pp. 201-211.

National Ocean Service, NOAA. 2012. Spatial Trends in Coastal 

Socioeconomics. Demographic Trends Database 1970-2010; Woods and Poole 

Economics, Inc. Projections Database 1970-2040. Available from: http://

coastalsocioeconomics.noaa.gov (accessed June 8, 2012).

U.S. Census Bureau. 2011a. American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 

2006-2010. Available from: http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.

html?_lang=en

U.S. Census Bureau. 2011b. Census 2010. Available from: http://factfinder2.

census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml

___. 2011c. Residential Construction Files 1998-2010.

This document was compiled by the following individuals of the National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

Kristen Crossett

Brent Ache

Percy Pacheco

Kate Haber

The authors would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions 

to the National Coastal Population Report:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Jeff Adkins

Chris Clement

Theresa Goedeke

Alison Hammer

John Hayes

Susan Holmes

Linwood Pendleton

Peter Wiley

U.S. Census Bureau

Thomas Fischetti

Marc Perry

Steven Wilson

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Mark Crowell

Acknowledgements References

Photo Credits

Cover:

Ocean City, MD. Credit: Christopher Parypa (Shutterstock)

Inside Cover:

San Francisco, CA. Credit: D. Nieters

Title Page:

Lower Mississippi River. Credit: NOAA’s National Ocean Service

Chicago coastal skyline. Credit: NOAA’s National Ocean Service

Kayaks in Santa Cruz, CA. Credit: K. Crossett

Puerto Rico. Credit: Cary Friday

Page 2:

Channel Islands National Park, CA. Credit: Claire Johnson

Cambria, CA. Credit: J. O’Grady

San Diego, CA. Credit: J. O’Grady

Nubble Light House, Cape Neddick, CA. Credit: J. O’Grady

Rockport, TX. Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Page 9:

Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Credit: K. Crossett

San Juan, PR. Credit: B. O’Grady

Port Aransas, TX. Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Page 15:

San Simeon, CA. Credit: J. O’Grady

Anchorage, AK. Credit: D. Nieters

San Francisco, CA. Credit: D. Nieters
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has derived 452 Coastal 

Shoreline Counties. FEMA’s 100-year flood plain, or Special Flood Hazard 

Area (SFHA), delineates where the National Flood Insurance Program’s 

floodplain management regulations must be enforced and the area where the 

mandatory purchase of flood insurance applies. The Coastal Shoreline Counties 

are counties that have a coastline bordering the open ocean, or contain 

FEMA identified coastal high hazard areas in the SFHA (Crowell et al., 2010). 

American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 

the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico are included in this suite (Ache et al., 

2012).

For more detailed information about Coastal Shoreline Counties visit: http://

coastalsocioeconomics.noaa.gov/coast_defined.html.

Hawaii

Alaska

0 250 500

Coastal Shoreline County

U.S. States

0 250 500 0 500

Appendix A: Coastal Shoreline Counties

Note: Coastal Shoreline Counties in the 

U.S. Territories are not shown.

N

NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report 17
18 NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report

Appendix B: Coastal Watershed Counties

NOAA has derived 769 Coastal Watershed Counties. A county is considered 

a Coastal Watershed County if one of the following criteria is met: (1) at a 

minimum, 15 percent of the county’s total land area is located within a coastal 

watershed; or (2) a portion of a county, or an entire county, accounts for at 

least 15 percent of a coastal USGS 8-digit cataloging unit. This “15-percent 

rule” intends to identify counties that have a substantial watershed-based 

impact on coastal and ocean resources. In addition, the five U.S. Territories – 

American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 

the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, are included in their entirety (Ache et 

al., 2012).

For more detailed information about the Coastal Watershed Counties visit: 

http://coastalsocioeconomics.noaa.gov/coast_defined.html.

Hawaii

Alaska

0 250 500

Coastal Watershed 

County

Estuarine and Coastal 

Drainage Areas

U.S. States 0 250 500 0 500

Note: Coastal Watershed Counties in 

the U.S. Territories are not shown.

N
Hawaii

Alaska

0 250 500

Extent of Coastal 

Watershed Counties

Extent of Coastal 

Shoreline Counties

U.S. States 0 250 500 0 500

Appendix C: Comparing Coastal Shoreline and Coastal Watershed Counties

CoastalWatershedCountes LandArea- 512,00

mi

2

Land Area Population

Coastal Shoreline 

Counties contain 

53%

of the Coastal 

Watershed County 

land area

CoastalWatershedCountes Populaton - 163

mil

Coastal Shoreline 

Counties contain 

75%

of the Coastal 

Watershed County 

population

Average Density Coastal Shoreline Counties are contained entirely within the inland extent of 

Coastal Watershed Counties, making up 53 percent of the total land area of 

Coastal Watershed Counties. However, Coastal Shoreline Counties exhibit a 

much higher population density than Coastal Watershed Counties, as they 

contain 75 percent of the total population in this area. 

Coastal Watershed Counties

Coastal Shoreline Counties

319 pers/mi2

446 pers/mi2

Note: Land area and density numbers 

exclude Alaska. Population values 

include Alaska.

N

NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report 19
stateofthecoast.noaa.gov