We find and interpret data to help you make better decisions.
Work with usLocated within the Carolina Population Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, we use population-level data and other available research to provide context and perspective to people working to shape North Carolina’s future.
Our clients include local and state governments, foundations, businesses, schools, and not-for profit organizations who need accurate and specific information to make decisions and better understand their communities. We are non-partisan, rigorous, and approachable: Our team pairs a wide array of demographic and research consulting services with your subject matter expertise, leaving you with the data and analysis you need to make informed decisions.
Source: U.S.Census Bureau, NC OSBM
We know where to find relevant data and can translate complex information based on the questions you need to answer. We can also help you determine what questions you should be asking.
Using Stata, SAS and R, we can project populations or school enrollments that give insight into how your community will shift in the coming years.
We can identify potential policy responses to demographic change and analyze the impact of current or proposed policies on specific populations.
We convene and engage your stakeholders and decision-makers to facilitate understanding and dialogue and strengthen the capacity of your organization to communicate data-driven ideas.
In 2010, just over three of every four North Carolina households mailed back their census forms (76%), a seven percentage point increase in mail participation compared to 2000 (69%). Higher participation rates reduce the overall costs of conducting the census. And, when…
A local business owner needed to convince a popular franchise’s parent organization that local residents in a rural NC county would frequent his shop. But he faced a challenge: On paper, the rural county is sparsely populated, with many household…
The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) is a major provider of education and training to North Carolina workers and plays a critical role in helping North Carolina ensure sufficient levels of education and training to remain competitive in the…
I have DEVOURED the first two briefs you put together for MyFutureNC. This is such important work, and we’re already thinking of the different ways we can use it to target efforts. 
When completing the 2020 Census, respondents are asked to report everyone living in their home on April 1, 2020 – this date is known as “Census Day.” What do we know about how the nation and North Carolina are responding?…
April 1 is traditionally celebrated as Census Day. But, as we all know, this Census Day is a vastly different than in past decades due to COVID-19. Instead of in-person celebrations around the country, many Census advocates will be giving…
The 2019 county population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau are the last set of population estimate before results of the 2020 Census are released in early 2021. Here’s what they tell us about how counties have changed in North…