1

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 

February 2009 

Adjustments to Household Survey 

Population Estimates in January 2009

 Household survey data beginning in January 2009 reflect updated population controls. As 

part of its annual review of intercensal population estimates, the U.S. Census Bureau determined 

that a downward adjustment should be made to the household survey population controls. This 

adjustment stems from revised estimates of net international migration and updated vital 

statistics information. In addition, this year the Census Bureau introduced some methodological 

changes in the population estimation process. Documentation on the Census Bureau’s 

population estimation methodology is available on their website at 

http://www.census.gov/popest/topics/methodology/2008-nat-meth.html. Questions about 

population estimation should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Population Division at 1-866-

758-1060 or by email at pop@census.gov. 

 The updated controls resulted in a decrease of 483,000 in the estimated size of the civilian 

noninstitutional population 16 years and over for December 2008. Official population and labor 

force estimates for December 2008 and earlier months will not be revised. 

 A comparison of December 2008 data based on the old and new controls shows that the 

population adjustments caused decreases in the labor force (-449,000), employment (-407,000), 

unemployment (-42,000), and the labor force participation rate (-0.1). The total unemployment 

rate, however, was not affected. (See table below.) 

Employment status of the population for selected labor force groups, not seasonally adjusted, 

December 2008 (2009 population adjustment effect) 

(Numbers in thousands) 

Employment status, sex, age, race, 

and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity 

 

As 

published 

 

Based on 

updated 

population 

controls 

 

Difference 1

TOTAL 

Civilian noninstitutional population ........................... 235,035 234,552 -483 

Civilian labor force ............................................. 154,349 153,900 -449 

Participation rate ......................................... 65.7 65.6 -.1 

Employed ..................................................... 143,350 142,943 -407 

Employment-population ratio ......................... 61.0 60.9 .0 

Unemployed .................................................. 10,999 10,957 -42 

Unemployment rate ..................................... 7.1 7.1 .0 

Not in labor force ............................................... 80,686 80,652 -34 

 

See notes at end of table. 
2

Employment status of the population for selected labor force groups, not seasonally adjusted, 

December 2008 (2009 population adjustment effect)—Continued 

(Numbers in thousands) 

Employment status, sex, age, race, 

and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity 

 

As 

published 

 

Based on 

updated 

population 

controls 

 

Difference 1

Men, 20 years and over 

Civilian noninstitutional population ........................... 105,083 104,806 -277 

Civilian labor force ............................................. 79,071 78,790 -281 

Participation rate ......................................... 75.2 75.2 -.1 

Employed ..................................................... 73,088 72,833 -255 

Employment-population ratio ......................... 69.6 69.5 -.1 

Unemployed .................................................. 5,984 5,957 -27 

Unemployment rate ..................................... 7.6 7.6 .0 

Not in labor force ............................................... 26,012 26,016 4 

Women, 20 years and over 

Civilian noninstitutional population ........................... 112,825 112,654 -172 

Civilian labor force ............................................. 69,042 68,888 -154 

Participation rate ......................................... 61.2 61.2 .0 

Employed ..................................................... 65,204 65,062 -142 

Employment-population ratio ......................... 57.8 57.8 .0 

Unemployed .................................................. 3,838 3,825 -12 

Unemployment rate ..................................... 5.6 5.6 .0 

Not in labor force ............................................... 43,784 43,766 -18 

Both sexes, 16 to 19 years 

Civilian noninstitutional population ........................... 17,126 17,092 -34 

Civilian labor force ............................................. 6,235 6,222 -13 

Participation rate ......................................... 36.4 36.4 .0 

Employed ..................................................... 5,058 5,048 -10 

Employment-population ratio ......................... 29.5 29.5 .0 

Unemployed .................................................. 1,177 1,174 -3 

Unemployment rate ..................................... 18.9 18.9 .0 

Not in labor force ............................................... 10,891 10,870 -21 

WHITE 

Civilian noninstitutional population ........................... 190,351 190,109 -242 

Civilian labor force ............................................. 125,588 125,321 -267 

Participation rate ......................................... 66.0 65.9 -.1 

Employed ..................................................... 117,409 117,170 -239 

Employment-population ratio ......................... 61.7 61.6 .0 

Unemployed .................................................. 8,179 8,150 -28 

Unemployment rate ..................................... 6.5 6.5 .0 

Not in labor force ............................................... 64,763 64,789 25 

BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN 

Civilian noninstitutional population ........................... 28,059 28,016 -43 

Civilian labor force ............................................. 17,720 17,682 -38 

Participation rate ......................................... 63.2 63.1 .0 

Employed ..................................................... 15,649 15,616 -33 

Employment-population ratio ......................... 55.8 55.7 .0 

Unemployed .................................................. 2,071 2,066 -5 

Unemployment rate ..................................... 11.7 11.7 .0 

Not in labor force ............................................... 10,339 10,334 -4 

 

See notes at end of table. 
3

Employment status of the population for selected labor force groups, not seasonally adjusted, 

December 2008 (2009 population adjustment effect)—Continued 

(Numbers in thousands) 

Employment status, sex, age, race, 

and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity 

 

As 

published 

 

Based on 

updated 

population 

controls 

 

Difference 1

ASIAN 

Civilian noninstitutional population ........................... 10,873 10,703 -170 

Civilian labor force ............................................. 7,223 7,101 -121 

Participation rate ......................................... 66.4 66.3 -.1 

Employed ..................................................... 6,857 6,742 -116 

Employment-population ratio ......................... 63.1 63.0 -.1 

Unemployed .................................................. 365 360 -6 

Unemployment rate ..................................... 5.1 5.1 .0 

Not in labor force ............................................... 3,651 3,602 -49 

HISPANIC OR LATINO ETHNICITY 

Civilian noninstitutional population ........................... 32,649 32,330 -319 

Civilian labor force ............................................. 22,221 21,957 -264 

Participation rate ......................................... 68.1 67.9 -.1 

Employed ..................................................... 20,129 19,891 -238 

Employment-population ratio ......................... 61.7 61.5 -.1 

Unemployed .................................................. 2,093 2,066 -27 

Unemployment rate ..................................... 9.4 9.4 .0 

Not in labor force ............................................... 10,428 10,373 -55 

 

 1 Differences are calculated from unrounded estimates. 

 NOTE: Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals 

because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of 

any race.