American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which method incorporates demographic shifts into population estimates?

1. Constant share technique

2. Shift share technique

3. Composite method

4. Housing Unit Method

The correct answer is: Shift share technique

The shift share technique is a method that incorporates demographic shifts into population estimates by analyzing how different demographic components—the population's age, sex, and race distribution—affect overall population changes. This method acknowledges that demographic shifts can influence growth rates in distinct segments of the population, drawing from historical data to project future changes. By using the shift share technique, planners can break down total population change into components that reflect both national trends and local factors, enabling a more nuanced understanding of local demographic dynamics. This approach empowers planners to better anticipate future needs and plan accordingly for services, infrastructure, and community programs in line with these demographic changes. In contrast, the constant share technique tends to assume that the distribution of population across various categories or regions will remain the same over time. The composite method integrates multiple estimation techniques but may not specifically account for demographic shifts as effectively as the shift share technique does. The housing unit method focuses primarily on the number of housing units and their occupancy status, rather than on the demographic aspects of the population.