We are in the process of migrating all NASA Earth science data sites into Earthdata from now until end of 2026. Not all NASA Earth science data and resources will appear here until then. Thank you for your patience as we make this transition.
Read about the Web Unification Project
Population Data Access and Tools
NASA has population datasets that help researchers characterize people, places, and the lives they live there. Access a range of data and data tools such as SEDAC's Population Estimation Service to make the most of population data.
Population Datasets
| Dataset Sort descending | Version | Platform | Instrument | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Census Grids (Summary File 1), 1990 | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-04-01 |
N: 72 S: 17 E: -65 W: -180 |
ASCII, GeoTIFF | |
| U.S. Census Grids (Summary File 1), 1990: Metropolitan Statistical Areas | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-04-01 |
N: 47 S: 17 E: -65 W: -124 |
ASCII, GeoTIFF | |
| U.S. Census Grids (Summary File 1), 2000 | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 2000-04-01 |
N: 72 S: 17 E: -65 W: -180 |
ASCII, GeoTIFF, PDF, PNG, WMS | |
| U.S. Census Grids (Summary File 1), 2000: Metropolitan Statistical Areas | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 2000-04-01 |
N: 47 S: 17 E: -65 W: -124 |
ASCII, GeoTIFF, PDF, PNG, WMS | |
| U.S. Census Grids (Summary File 1), 2010 | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 2010-01-01 to 2010-12-31 |
N: 72 S: 17 E: -65 W: -180 |
ASCII, GeoTIFF, PDF, PNG, WMS, Shapefile | |
| U.S. Census Grids (Summary File 3), 1990 | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-04-01 |
N: 72 S: 17 E: -65 W: -180 |
ASCII, GeoTIFF | |
| U.S. Census Grids (Summary File 3), 1990: Metropolitan Statistical Areas | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-04-01 |
N: 47 S: 17 E: -65 W: -124 |
ASCII, GeoTIFF | |
| U.S. Census Grids (Summary File 3), 2000 | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 2000-04-01 |
N: 72 S: 17 E: -65 W: -180 |
ASCII, GeoTIFF, PDF, PNG, WMS | |
| U.S. Census Grids (Summary File 3), 2000: Metropolitan Statistical Areas | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 2000-04-01 |
N: 47 S: 17 E: -65 W: -124 |
ASCII, GeoTIFF, PDF, PNG, WMS | |
| U.S. Population Grids (Summary File 1), 2000: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, Alpha Version | alpha | MODELS | Computer | 2000-04-01 |
N: 36 S: 28 E: -84 W: -95 |
Grid | |
| U.S. Population Grids (Summary File 1), 2000: Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area, Alpha Version | alpha | MODELS | Computer | 2000-04-01 |
N: 31 S: 28 E: -94 W: -97 |
Grid, PDF, PNG | |
| U.S. Population Grids (Summary File 1), 2000: New Orleans Metropolitan Statistical Area, Alpha Version | alpha | MODELS | Computer | 2000-04-01 |
N: 31 S: 28 E: -88 W: -91 |
Grid, PDF, PNG | |
| U.S. Population Grids (Summary File 3), 2000: Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, Alpha Version | alpha | MODELS | Computer | 2000-04-01 |
N: 36 S: 28 E: -84 W: -95 |
Grid | |
| U.S. Population Grids (Summary File 3), 2000: New Orleans Metropolitan Statistical Area, Alpha Version | alpha | MODELS | Computer | 2000-04-01 |
N: 31 S: 28 E: -88 W: -91 |
Grid | |
| U.S. Social Vulnerability Index Grids | 1.00 | MODELS | Computer | 2000-01-01, 2010-01-01, 2014-01-01, 2016-01-01, 2018-01-01 |
N: 72 S: 17 E: -65 W: -180 |
GeoTIFF, PDF, PNG | |
| U.S. Social Vulnerability Index Grids, Revision 01 | 1.01 | MODELS | Computer | 2000-01-01, 2010-01-01, 2014-01-01, 2016-01-01, 2018-01-01, 2020-01-01 |
N: 72 S: 17 E: -65 W: -180 |
0.008333 Decimal Degrees x 0.008333 Decimal Degrees | GeoTIFF, PDF, PNG |
| VIIRS Plus DMSP Change in Lights (VIIRS+DMSP dLIGHT) | 1.0 | Suomi-NPP | VIIRS | 1992-01-01, 2002-01-01, 2013-01-01 |
N: 84 S: -56 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.008333 Decimal Degrees x 0.008333 Decimal Degrees | GeoTIFF, PDF, PNG, WMS |
| West Africa Coastal Vulnerability Mapping: GPW Version 4 Population Density, Preliminary Release 1, 2010 | 1.0 | Models | Computer | 2010-01-01 to 2010-12-31 |
N: 13.9 S: 1.65 E: 16.21 W: -16.71 |
GeoTIFF | |
| West Africa Coastal Vulnerability Mapping: GPW Version 4 Population Growth, Preliminary Release 1, 2000-2010 | 1.0 | Models | Computer | 2000-01-01 to 2010-12-31 |
N: 13.9 S: 1.65 E: 16.21 W: -16.71 |
GeoTIFF | |
| West Africa Coastal Vulnerability Mapping: Point and Gridded Locations of Fatalities, 2008-2013 | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 2008-01-01 to 2013-12-31 |
N: 13.9 S: 1.65 E: 16.21 W: -16.71 |
GeoTIFF, Shapefile | |
| West Africa Coastal Vulnerability Mapping: Population Projections, 2030 and 2050 | 1.0 | Models | Computer | 2030-01-01, 2050-01-01 |
N: 13.9 S: 1.65 E: 16.21 W: 16.71 |
TIFF | |
| West Africa Coastal Vulnerability Mapping: Social Vulnerability Indices | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1997-01-01, 2005-01-01, 2008-01-01, 2010-01-01, 2013-01-01 |
N: 13.9 S: 1.65 E: 16.21 W: -16.71 |
GeoTIFF |
Featured Population Observation Method: VIIRS
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is aboard the joint NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) and NOAA-platforms. VIIRS collects visible and infrared imagery along with global observations of Earth's land, atmosphere, cryosphere, and ocean. The instrument can detect light from human settlements to measure the size and growth of those areas as well as changes to the regions as a result of power loss from storms, conflicts, and other events.
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) will help ensure continuity of Earth observations after the upcoming retirement of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS).
Nighttime imagery shows the earth’s surface and atmosphere using a sensor designed to capture low-light emission sources under varying illumination conditions.
Looking to learn more about Suomi NPP VIIRS global land data products available from NASA? Join us for an overview of the data products and live demos on how to access and work with the data using a variety of tools from the Land Processes DAAC.
Image captured on 29 December 2019, by the VIIRS instrument, aboard the joint NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP satellite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Earthdata Forum
Our online forum provides a space for users to browse thousands of FAQs about research needs, data, and data applications. You can also submit new questions for our experts to answer.
Submit Questions to Earthdata Forumand View Expert Responses